Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only - not the street or sidewalk.
Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
Purchase "Green Power" for your home's electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
Scrape, rather than rinse, dishes before loading into the dishwasher; wash only full loads.
Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can.
Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
More than half of U.S. travelers booking reservations online are concerned about global warming, and about a fifth feel that travel is bad for the environment, according to a recent online survey by Travelzoo Inc.
With Earth Day approaching, the online travel company offers tips to ease eco-friendly travelers' anxieties about reducing their carbon footprints:
—When walking isn't an option, use mass transportation. Cities such as Oakland, Calif. have hydrogen-powered buses, while trains between European cities emit less pollution and carry more passengers than planes.
—Pack lightly. Packing fewer shoes and reducing the weight of the plane could help save fuel. Lighter luggage could also save you money, since airlines are increasingly charging extra for additional weight in suitcases.
—Do some research before picking your hotel. Does the hotel receive energy from alternative sources? Can guests reuse linens during their stay or participate in a recycling program? What kinds of cleaning products and practices do they use? Are bikes available?
—If you're renting a car, check to see if the company has a contract with vendors who recycle oil. Find out if the car has vapor recovery controls and whether it's fuel-efficient.
—Reward cities that are taking a strong interest in the environment by contributing to their local economy. Portland and San Francisco are two eco-friendly destinations recently named the greenest cities in America by Popular Science magazine.
