What can I do? What can one person do? I often get this question.

The answer: a lot.

To start, here’s a list of 101 options. I’ll kick off with just a few today, but will add to the list over the next six days. If we can do just one thing . . . even the easiest one, that’s great.

The idea of a list like this is not to make us feel guilty for all the things we aren’t doing, but inform us of tiny changes in our lives that collectively can make significant energy and pollution reductions.

This list of 101 suggestions doesn’t begin to exhaust the possibilities. Figure out what works well for you and then keep going in that direction. Good luck!

1. Send memos over e-mail to save paper.

2. Turn your thermostat down three degrees in the winter.
You can prevent the emission of nearly 1100 pounds of carbon dioxide a year.

3. Switch to solar energy.
In one day, the sun provides more energy than our population could use in 27 years. Make the switch to sunlight–it doesn’t pollute and it’s free.

4. Avoid styrofoam.
It never biodegrades.

5. Use tap water instead of loading up on bottled water.
If you’re picky about your water install a water filter on your home faucet. That $5 filter will give you 40,000 8-ounce glasses of purified tap water.

6. If you have to print, use recycled paper and make double-sided copies.

7. Use a low-flow toilet.
A low-flush toilet uses half the water but still does the job.

8. Walk, bike or skateboard.
Twenty-five percent of all car trips are less than a mile long. So get on a bike or that bamboo skateboard and get some pollution-free exercise.

9. Support local farmers. On average, your food has traveled 1200 miles just to get to your plate. Shopping at farmers’ markets, co-ops and CSAs allows you to buy directly from the people who grow the food.

10. Unplug appliances.
Unplugging is the only way to make sure your appliances aren’t using energy.

Posted on October 30th, 2007 by Olivia Zaleski