It's all about Public Transportation these Days

With all the talk going on about gas prices, instead of listening to and being swallowed by the constant complaints, why not do something about it? Only good can come from forming a creative solution for yourself and your peers... like maybe public transportation? The great benefits to our environment by using public transportation are basically easing congestion and reducing emissions. Remember that there are buses, trains, planes and ferries/boats that can be used for the daily commute or just to get around. Here are a few tips to get you started: If you've never done the public transportation thing, start small by making short trips to common places like the post office or the grocery store, if they're close enough. This will help you get used to the system. Reduce the number of plane trips you take. The environmental effect is more destructive than automobile trips, so the shorter the trip, take a car instead. Use the bus. If you're more enthusiastic, then you can write to your city representative to request that your community upgrade their diesel buses to fleets of LNG or biodiesel buses. Overall, this reduces CO2 emissions. Full-time student? Walk to school. Most people generally live in the vicinity of their school no more than 2 miles away. You can do it! Telecommute when possible. If you can arrange to complete your work electronically, you'll reduce energy used in driving, or by however you get to work. I know that some people would rather drive in the comfort of their own car, which is ok. Coordinate carpooling with your coworkers and you'll reduce the number of cars on the road, therefore reducing emissions. On a side note, there are lots of couples who have only one car. If you can do it, then do it!

Staying cool in the summer months

Today is the day when the sun reaches its most northerly point in the sky for the northern hemisphere and that's what we call the summer solstice. At exactly 4:59pm you'll be able to experience this magnificent event welcoming the summer season, at least in good ol' Southern California. With that in mind, it's also time to prepare for the heat to come. Actually, it's already here. Today is one of the hottest days of the year so I'm sure that many have turned on their air conditioners to keep cool. Remember that doing this affects our environment by releasing harmful chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFC's) which damage our ozone layer. There are several ways that you can keep your home cool in an environmentally friendly way, so make sure that you make use of these great tips! Keep the heat out by closing drapes and window. You'll reduce the amount of heat in your home, therefore requiring less energy to cool it. If you have window or ceiling fans, use them instead of the AC. When you do use your AC it's recommended to keep the temperature at about 25 degrees C or 77 degrees F. Also turn off the AC once your home has reached a comfortable temperature and of course when nobody's home. When cooking, use your range fan to vent the hot air out of your house. Have some cold water or lemonade. It's amazing how this can keep you cool if you didn't know! If you have a pool, take advantage of it and have some fun! Wear clothes that breathe, like cotton or linen. You can also minimize what you wear at home too!

It's Father's Day on Sunday!

Is it the usual wallet, t-shirt, cologne, or tool that you're thinking to gift the father-figure in your life this weekend? Why not really take the time to think about what he might love while being creative to stay in tune with the environment as well. Some ideas include a folding bike, a radio made from sustainable wood, an electric lawn mower, a recyclable wine rack, or a suit made from recycled bottles. Did you even know that this kind of stuff existed? Well, it does and you can find out more about this stuff at www.treehugger.com. Remember to buy a recycled father's day card!

NEW and NOW on TV

Finally, a television network dedicated entirely to programs with useful content. I invite you to take a look at the latest and greatest when it comes to eco shows on TV. Planet Green™ is the first and only 24-hour television network offering you the best about how to make your earth more beautiful and sustainable. There's lots of information on lots of different shows at http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tv/ and I encourage you to take a peek to find the shows that interest you the most. You'll learn a lot that you can apply to your life and lifestyle, and learn some interesting facts as well. Here's a quick preview of one of the shows. It's hot, intelligent, and comical all at the same time.