Why go little? There are small decisions that make big differences - like, don’t eat meat.The environmental impact of meat production is huge. Plant-based diets require fewer natural resources, primarily land, energy and water, so more people can be fed by the same expenditure/impact. Frankly the more meat one personally eats, the less food in general someone else in the world is able to eat. One vegetarian meal a week saves about 800 gallons of water, which is enough for about two months of showers.

Dairy products are almost as devastating to the planet as meat, plus it's seriously nasty business. Pollution from dairy farms is damaging communities all over the world. In CA alone, manure has from dairy farms has contaminated hundreds of square miles of groundwater, rivers, and streams.

Another big deal, since it's in the news thanks to Octo-Mom: we need to seriously consider the size of our families and the number of people we add to an already overpopulated world. If a large family is necessary for your economic survival, adopt some. While I’m sure the personal joys of bringing new people into the world are enormous, we have to think about more than our personal amusement and consider our responsibilities to other people in the world. The planet is already groaning from the population it has to support - why add more little consumers and polluters?

I, too, have recently gotten a stainless steel water bottle.  I've been using it pretty religiously except on days like today, when I forgot it at home.  :(  I am hoping to get a reusable coffee thermos soon, since I don't like having to use paper cups with plastic covers every time I go out for coffee--what a waste.

I also have an Envirosax bag, which I adore.  I carry it around with me in my handbag, and use it whenever I go shopping.  When my husband and I do big grocery shopping runs, we bring canvas tote bags along, too--we've got quite a collection, most of which we've gotten for free from somewhere or other.

We've also been unplugging "power vampires" like the microwave and TV when not using them.

Good luck with your veggie garden! 

This year I participated for the first time in Earth Hour (and shame on me for never having done so until now). However, I loved it so much that I've incorporated the time into a part of my evening routine.

Instead of one hour, I spend a block of two hours resting, reading or doing low-energy activities. The computer is turned off, the cell phone is off, any "unessential" lighting.. off! It's so restful. The other night I fell asleep while listening to classical music.

Earth renewal and self renewal all in one go. Pretty good!