Climate change is something that affects us all. As a simple example, homes and transport are responsible for about 40% of carbon emissions in the United Kingdom and this is even higher in the USA. Taking the steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle that reduces your "footprint" on the earth can be a difficult thing to understand in our highly interconnected world. What may at first appear to be energy efficient may have an ecological cost somewhere else. However, there are simple things that with a little awareness of our daily activities where we can make a difference. If you throw in some DIY Eco Projects and Recycling, you can be well on the way to making a positive impact. If you are interested in a more eco-friendly way of living, here are some tips to get you started.

• Fit energy-efficient light bulbs and save $US15 a year per bulb
• When buying new appliances choose the most energy efficient
• Switch to an electricity provider that produces all or some power from renewable sources
• Remember to turn off your appliances when not in use, average savings $US60 a year
• Insulate your home for a warmer, cheaper winter. Double glaze windows, and consider cavity-wall insulation. Use draft excluders, put silver foil behind radiators, cover up keyholes and close doors
• Turn your heating down (one degree saves ten per cent on your bill) and use the timer
• Save money and provide up to half your total water consumption by installing a simple rainwater tank. It not only saves water but also the energy to store & pump it to your home
• Remember to turn the tap off when brushing your teeth and have a shower instead of a bath (showering uses less heating energy)
• Save food miles and aeroplane emissions by buying locally produced food when available
• Plant your own fruit and veg, even if you have a balcony, cherry tomatoes are perfect
• Make the most of your kitchen waste by turning it into compost
• Try to by unpackaged and unprocessed foodstuffs, this cuts out the packaging you have find a way to recycle
• Where possible, use public transport, bike or walk
• Check out "eco-friendly" cars, you may be exempt from road tax, some congestion charges and parking fees
• If using your car, keep it properly tuned, correctly inflate tires and drive slower
• Combine car trips for multiple chores
• Recycle, recycle, recycle! Landfill sites are a big producer of methane – a greenhouse gas.
• Rediscover the pleasures of local holidays or look into responsible tourism
• Have an eco-work holiday, help with a community or eco project, plant trees, meet great people
• Buy an eco-friendly Christmas presents
• Buy Fair Trade gifts and in so doing help a community in the developing world to build a better, more sustainable future
• By secondhand and recycled goods and cut out the extra manufacturing energy cost.

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MT. BAKER LODGING, INC. MT. BAKER, WASHINGTON  Located at the edge of the Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest, cabin #7 Is but one of many fine homes included In our Vacation Rental Home Program.