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have very hot water but reduce energy use by 4% or more while saving money.

5. Don't idle. An idling car is the devil's polluter. If you're waiting for someone, turn off the engine. If it's too hot or cold to stay in the car, go inside with the person. Many cities have tough rules prohibiting idling for more than three minutes, issuing heavy fines against violators.

7. Donate old food to animals. Zoos and animal shelters consume tons of food. If you have a bagful of half-used vegetables not quite fresh enough to eat, or meat left in the refrigerator or freezer too long, drop it at an animal shelter or zoo. Cats, dogs, many birds, and wild animals can safely digest food that would land humans in the hospital. It means producing less food that requires energy.

8. Donate old cell phones. In many places, cell phones can be donated to charities rather than being tossed in landfill. Some are given to women living in shelters; most get rehabbed and re-sold by workshops training disadvantaged adults for work.

9. Re-use plastic bottles. Plastic bottles holding everything from soft drinks to detergent are recyclable, but not just by putting them in the bin. Cutting the top few inches from soft drink bottles means they can be used as paint tubs by kids; leave the top intact and fill them with water to drink when you're away from the house.

10. Turn lawns into plant gardens. If you have a lawn and convert 50 sq. ft. into a green plant garden, you can scrub 300 cubic metres of air. That's enough to clean up the exhaust from three cars being started and driven off your block.

None of these ideas requires making changes to your life. But if you adopt them, we'll all live greener. It'll be easier than going on a diet.

Learn more about this author, Charley James.
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