In case you’ve been working so hard you haven’t stopped to breathe, you might be surprised to find out that today is Earth Day. So in case you manage to take a break, I’ve put together some suggestions just for you that can help make a difference in our world. Take a moment to relax, and read up on some of the things you can do around your home to honor this special day: Think toilets. Granted, it’s not glamorous, but rethinking the way you flush can make a huge difference. If you’re in the market for a new toilet, consider buying a “low-flow” toilet. If you have an older toilet that works just fine, you can actually fool it into using less water. Take a 2-liter soda bottle and fill it up with water. Place it in your toilet tank. This method displaces 2 liters of water, which saves the same amount every time the toilet is flushed. Take a shower. For you bath takers, it might feel good, but try to limit them and take a shower instead. Why? Because showers use roughly half as much hot water as baths. Also, try to shorten your showers, aiming for five minutes or less. You will save gallons of water. Insulate. Most homes have drafty areas, particularly in the basement or attic. In colder weather, cold air is drawn in through the basement, while the warmer air escapes through the attic. You can find out just how drafty your home is by having a home energy audit done, which you can schedule through your utility company or state energy office. This procedure will help you identify energy-wasting areas of your home, which allows you to insulate properly and cut down on wasted energy, and high utility bills. Use natural daylight. If you can, locate your office, and particularly your work surfaces, close to windows in order to utilize the daylight. Refrain from turning on the lights in your office if you can, and only flick the switch when evening hours approach. Make smart updates. As you update your home office, or other areas of your abode, do your research and use eco-friendly products. For instance, choosing linoleum, which is made from wood flour, resins and linseed oil, is much better than using vinyl, which is considered to be a toxic building material. Also, look for zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints when freshening up a room. There are many more tips that you can find in Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies, by Eric Corey Freed. It’s a great resource for those of us who want to update our surroundings while thinking smart … and green. | 
