Putting sustainability thoughts into action

Harold Bubil is the real estate reporter for the Sarasota Herald Tribune -- in this essay he asks how we put our thoughts and desires to be sustainable into action. There are lots of small things we all can and need to do.

But the big things are the ones a person can't do on their own. Urban design, utility systems and transportation options are big, expensive complicated issues that we need to tackle as a society on the local, regional, national and planet scales.

Putting sustainability thoughts into action

What else can you do to decrease your resource footprint? Here are 10 tips from the Web site New American Dream http://www.newdream.org/cnad/user/turn_the_tide.php

1. Drive less by walking, biking or carpooling.

2. Eat less feedlot beef.

3. Eat eco-friendly seafood.

4. Free yourself from junk mail.

5. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs.

6. Stop freezing in the summer (turn up the A/C).

7. Stop sweating in the winter (turn down the heat).

8. Eliminate the use of lawn pesticides.

9. Reduce water usage.

10. Inspire your friends.