With the summer upon us many people enjoy the comfort of indoor air conditioning, however, this can be detrimental to the environment. Read on for ways to stay cool and have fun in the summer while staying green.

Walk or Ride a Bike

 Instead of driving the car down the street to get some ice cream, walk or ride your bike. It is a great way to reduce carbon monoxide emission as well as exercise.

Cooling Off

 Make sure your
air conditioner is in good order. When air conditioners run more
efficiently, they use less energy. Make sure air conditioner filters
are cleaned or replaced regularly. Many experts recommend changing out
cooling filters monthly, especially during high-usage months. Have your
coolers cleaned professionally once a year. This will provide your
cooler 5 percent to 10 percent more energy efficiency. In addition, raise the thermostat a few degrees higher. You'll greatly reduce the amount of energy that you are using. If all else fails, and folded up piece of newspaper always makes a great fan.

Go Outside!

Turn off the TV and get off your computer. You will save energy and have more fun. Enjoy the sunshine and read a book outside or take a nature walk. Too hot? Swim in the comforts of your own pool, or
your neighbor's or the community. Shoot balls with your children.
Activities like these and more (you can get creative) help to get
family and friends together. Cheap, clean fun with no down side. Unplug your computer during non-use to increase efficiency!

Summer BBQ

What is summer without backyard barbecues?
However, using briquettes to cook a standard hamburger produce 105
times more carbon monoxide than using a propane grill. What's more?
Briquettes give off harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) when burned.

Grow a Garden 

Summer is a good
time to plant a vegetable garden. What can be more organic than
vegetables hailed from your own backyard? Or what could be more
Eco-friendly since your vegetables just need to travel from the
backyard to your kitchen to be enjoyed. Get your kids to help you pick
the kind of vegetables they like and make it a family project. This
get-down-and-dirty green project not only will ensure your supply of
vegetables in the months ahead, it will help your kids appreciate
nature. And who better to entrust the world to than a future
generations of nature lovers?

Smart Shopping 

School is
out and this is good time to take your kids shopping at the local
market. Farmer's market is a good place to start. Supporting local farmers
help to cut cost in transportation and reduce energy use. While you're
out shopping, don't forget to tote your canvas bags and tout a little
of the importance of going green. A little fact to impress your kids:
In an average year, American households used about 100 billion plastic
bags of which 99% are never recycled. A little education, a little
shopping and a whole lot of green awareness.

Green Products 

Use environmentally friendly products that will keep you clean and safe without
hurting the world around us. You don’t have to use harmful chemicals to enjoy the outdoors. If you need to carry soap with you on an outdoor trip, choose a natural, biodegradable soap. Buy environmentally friendly insect repellent and to use natural alternatives for dealing with bugs and other pests that “come out of the woodworks” during the warm months.

There you go. Simple things you can do this summer to stay green.

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