From:

As it turns out, helping to change the world isn't that hard. It begins with one simple decision -- to unplug a charger, to trade paper napkins for cloth. These small acts become habits that create a chain reaction. As they gain momentum, soon you're not doing just one thing; you're revolutionizing your life in a way that can, in fact, save the planet.

The days of environmentalism as a fringe cause are long gone. It's everyone's responsibility. "It's more important than ever to do all that we can right now," says Martha Stewart, whose embrace of Body+Soul three years ago reflects her own ongoing commitment to sustainable living. "I recycle, compost, use long-lasting light bulbs. And I encourage everyone to take baby steps. Imagine what kind of world we'd have if we each did just one little good thing as often as we could. We could really make a difference."

Download our Going Green Checklist to post in your kitchen, office, or anywhere.

Turn Off the Lights
As the former vice president and the man behind the compelling documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore is one of the most influential leaders of the green movement. Yet his advice sounds surprisingly like something Dad used to say, usually right around bill time. "Go through your house every single day and turn off any lights you're not using," he states. "That's a big way to save energy." In fact, two-thirds of all the electricity used in the residential sector of the United States powers lights and appliances. Considering that electricity production generates more than 1.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year, a simple flick of the switch seems as good a place to start as any.

Stop Idling in Your Car
As environmental activist Laurie David, a producer of "An Inconvenient Truth," will attest, an idling car is a complete waste of energy. In fact, she says, 10 percent of all our fuel is wasted on idling. "Parents leave their cars running for 2 to 20 minutes while waiting for their kids -- and many don't realize they're wasting gas and adding CO2 to the atmosphere," says David. She worked with her children's school to create a "no-idle" zone and suggests that others establish similar areas at their schools, churches, and temples. "If you turn off your car in one place, chances are you'll do it in another. You can start a no-idle revolution."

First Published: April/May 2007