At one time I believe this list could be found at 30days of sustainability, but I can no longer find the link. So here are 30 things one can do to change the world.

At Home:

1. Complete an energuide evaluation www.oee.nrcan.ca/residential and undertake some energy upgrades for your home.

2. Ensure you have efficient water fixtures or install flow reducers where appropriate

3. Recycle and compost- share a compost with neighbours if possible, and look into indoor, not smelly, options- they do exist

4. Buy local, organic food, when and where the choice is available.

5. Turn off the lights and turn down the heat when you’re not in the room or at home

6. Use compact fluorescent lights (CLF) and put dimmers on your incandescent and halogen lights.

7. Use your blue box program, and don’t forget that recycling is the third “R”. We should seek to reduce and Reuse first and second.

8. Look for “Energy Star” labels that identify the most energy efficient models when investing in new appliances, TV, and Computer.

At Work:

9. Encourage your company/building management company to participate in a program to “green” your workplace

10. Create a sustainability policy for your company. Convene a sustainability team whose responsibility will be to pursue more sustainable directions

11. Include sustainability or corporate social responsibility in your reporting methods.

12. Pursue becoming carbon neutral as a company by building offsets for carbon emissions associated with your work, and/or buying green energy certificates from BC hydro.

13. Green your fleet. www.fleetchallenge.ca

14. At lunch, bring your own clean reusable plastic container to the restaurant for takeaway to avoid Styrofoam.

15. Pursue green building and interiors initiatives within your offices, including energy efficient, non-toxic materials

On the road:

16. Take transit, Ride a bike, Car pool as often as you can

17. Explore opportunities to work at home at least one day per week where your jog situation will allow.

18. Use the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can that meets your needs and look for greener fuels where available, including ethanol and bio diesel blends.

19. Drive carefully both for fuel efficiency and for safety in our communities.

20. Join an auto co-op or shared car program as a replacement for your car, or second car.

21. Plan your trips efficiently limit the number of trips and maximize the quantity of things you get done on each trip.

22. Find restaurants and shops close to where you live to serve your needs. It cuts back on driving and supports local business.

At school

23. Find alternatives to driving to school when possible- transit, walk, carpool, ride a bike

24. Ask your student council or parent/teacher association to lobby for local, healthy food in the cafeteria and vending machines.

25. Join a school club that allows involvement in environmental and/or social causes

26. Ask your teachers if your school uses recycled paper- if not ask them to do so

In life:

27. Slow down and focus on those things that are most important to you: make a commitment to reducing your stress

28. Be a conscious consumer: aim for zero waste and buy less. When you shop think if you really need it or if you just want it. Think Renewable, recyclable, reusable, durable and energy efficient.

29. Pick on organization in your community that supports social and/or environmental health and volunteer for them one day per month.

30. Be a mentor for a young person, somewhere in your neighbourhood

Personally, I think that these suggestions are fantastic ones, but I also recognize that some of them are hard to do- financial reasons play a huge role in my inability to do some of these ideas. But I find that this list is inspiring and has given me some thoughts of alternatives to the things on this list. I’m looking forward to completing my list.