it can add up to a lot. I realize that not everyone bothers to conserve or recycle, and some of these tips might have trivial benefit. But (as I tell doubters of "global warming"), I think we would do well to conserve, recycle and care for our planet in any small ways we can.
Things I do and don't do: We recycle glass, metals, cardboard, plastic and paper -- I wish places like my work did so, as everything there gets thrown away. I usually take short showers (often twice a day -- pre-work and after exercising), but other family members are fond of long showers. I wear clothes (if nothing more than to do chores or exercise in) until they practically fall apart. We are gradually moving to the more energy efficient lights, and last year replaced an old furnace will a more efficient one (but only cause the old one quit). I should put a stop to all the junk mail -- we get a ton, and right now I just put it in paper recycle without even looking at it. I am traditional and still like bank statements and receipts on paper. I don't downlaod software, as I want to have the disk in case my computer screws up and needs to be re-done. I drink a full-size pick-up and a mid-sized car, neither of which gets over 20-25 mpg (I'll eventually go to a smaller, fuel-efficient car, but so long as I can avoid a car payment, I won't buy another car). I usually drive alone . . I would not be opposed to a car pool or mass transit, if it were not a hassle. I pre-rinse dishes and rinse my mouth, as "clean" is more important to me than saving a bit of water. I cannot work from home. We don't have any babies in family, so no diapers are used.