Eat organic.

Organic farming helps preserve biological diversity, conserve the soil, and protects water resources. Organic farming practices help fight global warming by storing large amounts of carbon in the soil. Read more at ota.com.

Eat lower on the food chain.

To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, eat less animal products, and choose organic meat, milk, eggs, and dairy whenever possible. Learn about safer fish choices using the Seafood Selector tool at environmentaldefense.org.

Eat local.

Help create a more sustainable food system by purchasing locally-grown foods. Support farmers' markets and community supported agriculture. Find a farm near you.

Serve a cup of justice—fair trade coffee.

Visit fairtradeaction.org and equalexchange.com to learn more. In addition to great coffee, when you buy fair trade shade-grown coffee, you help conserve vital habitat for migratory songbirds and other wildlife.

Drive smart. Drive less.

Leave your car at home and walk, run, ride your bike, carpool or take public transportation. Don't forget when it's time for a new car, consider the more efficient alternatives. Check out greenercars.com for the best models in each category.

Bike for a better world.

The bicycle is the ultimate lean, green, clean machine. Become a bicycle advocate—check out the League of American Bicyclists campaign to make cities more bicycle-friendly or your local bike coalition. And, take the 2 Mile Challenge and ride your bike!

Cultivate a pesticide-free garden.

Keep your yard safe for children and pets by using alternatives to herbicides and insecticides. Ask your lawn-care service provider for organic, non-chemical options. Learn more at the Pesticide Action Network.

Clean house.

The fumes and chemicals from many cleaning products pose a threat to you and the environment. Switch to non-toxic cleaners. Find out more at the Healthy Child, Healthy World (and check out their book, Healthy Child Healthy World, Creating a Cleaner, Greener, Safer Home).

Insist on good wood.

Forests provide a home to wildlife, purify water and clean the air. Conserve forests by purchasing FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) - certified wood for furniture or building.

Use caution with plastics.

Some plastics contain hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates that leach into the food or substances they touch. Don’t microwave in plastic, especially plastic wrap. Choose safer plastics for food storage (#1 and #2) or use glass or ceramic containers. Learn more at the theGreenGuide.com.

Change a lightbulb; change the world.

Use energy-saving lightbulbs—they use one-fourth the energy of a conventional bulb and last ten times longer. It saves you money over the life of the bulb, too.

Choose tree-free paper.

Making paper from paper (instead of trees) saves wood, water, energy and greenhouse gases. Chlorine-free paper also reduces the production of dioxins—cancer-causing pollutants that often end up in our bodies. Use recycled paper at home, your workplace and school. Learn more at woodwise.org.

Think globally; act locally.

Your voice matters; your opinions count. Be an advocate for healthier food and transportation systems, open space, and a safer world for our children. To learn more, visit saveourenvironment.org.

Register to vote.

Exercise your right to vote. The way you vote can have a profound impact on the environment. Stay informed on local issues. Find our how your congressperson voted on the environment through The League of Conservation Voters.