The cost of coal, oil, gas and water need to reflect depletion and contribution to global warming - not just the cost of extraction. Going easy on our utilities saves us money and conserves increasingly scarce resources. Recycling is great. It's even better if you're also trying to get large corporations to stop producing junk and destroying and polluting eco-systems. Interestingly, large corporations will promote recycling because they want people to think it's the major environmental issue - to intentionally distract people's attention away from the larger corporate environmental destruction issues.

* Stay informed and tell your friends about important news stories
* Use your own cloth, etc. bags for shopping, whenever possible buy products in reusable containers
* Buy Fair Trade products, organic produce, free-range eggs, organic meat e.g. at Wild Oats, Rapunzel Naturkost, etc.
* Tell your grocery store or supermarket you're really opposed to GM (genetically-modified) food, and explain why
* Buy as much locally grown produce as possible. Click here for info about the environmental costs of food, organic and conventional
* Generally, make an effort to consume less :), especially cut down on meat - meat production and dairy products are major contributors to greenhouse gasses (GHG)
* Avoid trash and recycle as much as possible such as glass, paper and card board, plastic packaging
* Make sure electronics such as PCs, printers, cell phones get properly recycled, don't end up on landfills and, if still in working order, consider posting them on the Freecycle Network
* Use bio-degradable detergents and cleaning products, e.g. Nancy's Natural Cleaning Resources
* Buy stationaries, paper towels, etc. made from recycled paper (producing recycled paper: less water, 28-70% less energy than virgin paper)
* If you have a garden, compost organic matter
* Buy energy saving bulbs, if possible European-type front-loader washers - they're much more energy,- detergent,- and water efficient
* Reduce the hot water temperature (no need to keep it at over 190º Fahrenheit [90º Celsius] 24/7). Better still, install on-demand water heaters - they save even more energy
* Turn the furnace down during winter and instead dress more warmly (no need to keep the building so warm you can wear summer clothes)
* Switch to green electricity providers/sustainable power companies - there are now several in the U.S., the U.K. and Germany
* Install solar panels on your roof if you can afford it
* Talk to your children about what they choose to purchase dictates what is the accepted standard for tomorrow, maybe the most crucial point here
* If you care and are really wealthy please consider building or buying an eco house.
* Sign petitions - they do matter - and pass them on to your family and friends
* If you feel a little overwhelmed like I sometimes do ask your friends to help you with placing ads, doing online research, etc.

* Additional Shopping Tips and Info
Greenpeace Canada Shoppers Guide: food manufacturers that use genetically modified ingredients

Yes, all these measures are a bit inconvenient, but you'll not only help the environment, you'll also be a model to others and ... you'll save money in the long run (on your medical bills, utilities, your car)

Additional ideas, suggestions, feedback? Please drop me a line. Thanks :)