I bought a bike. I recycle. I plan my driving so I don't have to take my car out on short little trips very often. I take the light rail or walk. I have reusable plastic bags. I don't smoke.

I definitely don't smoke and I encourage those close to me to not smoke either. In other clean air news, I haven't owned a car ever, except this January I had to buy one for my new job. I bought a hybrid which I love.

I take the bus to work.
I use my bike for exercise and regular travel.

I don't smoke, I drink tap water using a Nalgene bottle, bring my lunch to work and use re-usable containers, keep my car clean for better fuel efficiency, replaced all my light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs, put a programmable thermostat on my house, and I'll be riding my bike to work soon. I also have investment properties where we've changed the light bulbs to fluorescent ones, laid more insulation in the attic, and we make sure to do maintenance on the furnace system so that it can run at it's peak efficiency.

I started a recycling "club" here around my neighborhood and convinced my mom to get a hybrid car. My brother and I are working on creating a garden in the backyard so that we can grow our own "organic" vegetables.

Something I really want to stop is the way we treat our farm animals. I'm slowly working hard at getting chicken and red meat out of my diet

The things I do to make my life better, and those around me better, don't often have to do with specific things, like recycling or using my car less. They have to do with my relationships, my attitude toward life, and how I choose to interact with those around me. That kind of gentle attention to people and interactions carries over to my impact on *everything* around me, including my environment.

I refuse to let my co-workers throw anything that can be recylced into the trash. I make sure they put it in the recycling bin, and personally take it to recycling. I also walk or run anywhere I can (even in below zero temperatures.

I am a catholic and usually have a hard time giving anything up for lent. This year I decided to give all types of smoking. I am proud to say I havent had any problems and am staying strong. It has made me feel much better about my self and other people have seemed to respect it also. My guess is that this will last a lot longer than 40 days and 40 nights. It is nice to know that this actually is helping more than just my self.

I recycle nearly everything. I go to the recycling center more than I empty my regular trash can. I even recycle the plastic from products I buy with excess amount of packaging.

I buy local produce, I donate more money to local causes surrounding environmental matters, I ride a bike (even more when the weather warms up), I'm spreading the world on renewable energy, taking part in more meetings and action groups.

I'm also in search of a position at a "green" company, preferably a start-up in renewable energy sources or power transmission. Time to put all this passion to work!

I recently got rid of my car (which is not that much a of necessity in SF anyway) and just walk or use public transportation. I recycle anything and everything that can be and encourage others to recycle. I also don't use plastic bags ever and NEVER smoke!

From a green standpoint, I usually walk to work. About improving my life and those around me... I got a dog. Best decision ever.

Chicago has spoiled me - Illinois went smoke-free in public places on Jan. 1, 2008. It's amazing.

Living in a big city naturally makes a person make life changes that benefit the environment. I haven't driven a car in two years - I walk three blocks to work and carry my groceries back to my apartment in a folding cart (it's cool, I swear). I've also subscribed to a CSA box from a co-op of local organic farms.

*Allie.

I blame the Healys for my hangover and misspelling.

This is a great idea for a post and it is uplifting to see through the comments the good work that people are doing for themselves and the planet. Here's what I am up to:

*My fiance and I make our own soaps, face-wash, and shampoo, all of which are non-toxic and thus prevent pollutants from entering our bodies and our waterways.;

*We also recycle as much as possible. Before that, we reuse as much as possible. We reuse plastic bags, ziplock bags, and tinfoil. We bring canvas bags to the store. We also compost all food scraps except meat and bones.

*We use the car as little as possible. I take the bus or bike to work nearly every day.

*We volunteer in our local community on a regular basis. We both took the Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. We also just signed up for the home chore program in Madison, which helps older adults stay in independent living situations.

*We became active members of our neighborhood association. We bought a house in September--the best way to buy local! We wanted to show that young people care about their communities and thus took on the role of co-chairing the social program in our neighborhood.

*We turn our thermostat down to 52 when we are out of the house and 60 when we are in the house. We also unplug all electronics (not the fridge, and we don't have a TV) when not in use. We also buy wind power from our local utilities provider.

Thanks for the opportunity to share!
Andrew Stuhl

Thinking locally, I'm volunteering with a program that diverts teens from getting wrapped up in the juvenile justice system by having their case heard by a jury of other teens. If they successfully complete the sentence their peers choose, the case doesn't go on their record.

Thinking gobally, I'm cutting down on eating meat, especially red meat.

As Nino mentioned in his comment, I also do not eat red meat or chicken. I eat mostly fish with occasional pork, and have switched mostly to vegetables, fruits, and nuts to sustain my dietary requirements. This is a net positive change for both my energy level and the environment.

-Erica

I keep being a pain in the ass to people reminding them about not printing what they don't need at work. I think they hate me now but nothing works better than constant nagging.

I am all about re-using. When I go grocery shopping, I use the same reusable bag. I make my lunch everyday and use silverware from home so I don't use plastic utensils. I make coffee and tea at home and bring it in a reusable mug. I am a big walker- so I walk to school and take the T (Boston public transportation) to work. Plus, you get to enjoy the scenery much better :)

Also, I am a big sister in the Big Sister program for Boston. I try to plan fun, educational activities for my little sister each week. I believe that mentoring young people to encourage a healthy lifestyle is critical. We each have an obligation to make the world around us a little better in whatever way we can.

I'm a long-time bicycle commuter; I didn't buy a car until I was 25 and even now only use it when I have to. Currently I either bus or bike to work.

I try to shop locally, purchasing primarily organic foods and buying my produce directly from farmers at the farmer's market in the summer. When we go to the store, my roommate and I take our canvas bags to bring things home in.

We recycle everything possible, and try to re-use things like glass containers.

I'm a big fan of living close to where I work, shop, and do other activities. I have some days that I don't have to go beyond a two mile radius of my apartment.

I've never been a smoker, and with a family member who has a pulmonary disease, I always appreciate efforts to improve air quality indoors and out.

I do good deeds and random acts of kindness for friends, family, and strangers whenever possible. I recycle when I can and do my best to be conscientious about my water and energy usage. I try to treat my body well by staying somewhat active, eating organic food as much as I can and by not drinking or smoking -- and I encourage friends and family who do smoke to quit.

I never smoke (gross), and my peers in my office have convinced me that I need to start recycling so I now save all my recyclable materials and bring them to our bins at the office.

I try to be conscientious of power and water conservation. I turn the water off when brushing me teeth or shaving, and try to use ceiling fans as much as possible as opposed to the AC (especially now that I'm not in Texas anymore.)

R

I recycle. I don't smoke. I ride my bike when I can (but I live in Minneapolis so...). In my opinion, the best thing I've done is made a conscious, daily effort to be kind and respectful even to people who may not deserve it.

I don't smoke. I drive a hybrid. I use a brita pitcher instead of lots of bottles. I don't litter. I live in a house with no central heat or air and only use the air when it's really wicked hot.

I recycle and reuse grocery plastic bags. I do not buy bottled water and refill my water bottle with filtered water. When I travel to hotels I always reuse all linens and towels. I carpool as much as possible. I eat organic and do not smoke. I encouraged my chapter in my organization to have paperless meetings. I changed my bulbs to energy savers.

I bike, rather than drive, almost whenever possible. It's probably my favorite form of transportation.

I reuse bags like an old lady.

I have a filter on my sink, so I never buy bottled water.

I recycle.

I think these things should be done effortlessly. We should appreciate the planet we live on...before we really make a mess of it (more than we already have).

I have a box full of scarves that I've knit but don't wear. I'm going to wash them and send them to Scarves from the Heart, an organization that gives scarves to cancer patients and the homeless.

I commute primarily by bus, and now that we're out of our rainy season, I can bike to the bus stop.

We're building a system of water barrels in our back yard, to collect runoff.

I'm planting vegetables for the first time since I was a kid, and will continue to shop at the local farmers' market.

We try to re-use items--our own, or those we find--rather than buy new. Sometimes buying new is the answer, but it's surprising how often "gently used" is exactly what we need.