Me…save the world? I can barely get my kids out to school and pay the bills…I can barely save myself.

Admittedly the world’s problems seem daunting, impossible even. The common thought is, if the government can't solve these problems, how can an individual? And you would be right; an individual cannot save the world. But individuals, all acting for the best interests of themselves, their family, community, and the planet can make a real, dramatic, and relatively instantaneous difference.

The world myths that have been preventing us from developing our utopian visions and putting them into action are dissolving at an incredibly fast rate these days. For example, we are led to believe the world is becoming more dangerous when facts show that peace is breaking out everywhere – less wars, less deaths, etc. (Click here to read article). The old myth that drugs are safer than herbs due to their testing is now seen to a large degree to be false as the Journal of American Medical Association themselves report that there are around 3.5 times more deaths due to drugs than due to AIDS. With 50% of Americans and centuries of Indians and Chinese taking herbs – populations would be wiped out if herbs were more dangerous than drugs. Reality is disproving myths. So the notion that you can't help save the world is also being disproven.

Author Malcolm Gladwell coins the phrase ‘Tipping Point’ to identify the common occurrence that even when two people start something (e.g. wearing a certain brand of clothes, taking alternative medicine, etc.) when the idea catches on and a critical number of people follow this habit, the idea switches from minority use to a mainstream cultural phenomenon. We see this today happening with ecological issues. Alternative energy for cars, renewable energy for electric and heating, organic foods and clothing seem to have reached that critical mass and now, wherever you look, experts are predicting the only way to do business within 20 years will be ‘green’, i.e. good for the earth.

Need more proof? Whatever your political agenda, whatever you think about President Bush, he went on national TV and said we must break our addiction to fossil fuels because they support terrorism. The conservative ‘religious-right’, and the liberal left are teaming up on the issue of saving the earth, addressing the greenhouse effect, saving the forests, air, and water. The US Mayors are not waiting for the federal government to sign onto the Kyoto environmental accord; they are complying with the accord on a state level. So we see signs now at the highest levels of government, noted in the mainstream media, that saving the planet is a mainstream idea of the highest priority.

The same lawyers who sued tobacco companies, are now gearing up to sue the companies that pollute greenhouse gasses that are melting glaciers, drowning polar bears, causing more frequent and violent storms like hurricane Katrina. Ski resorts and other vacation businesses are going under due to the warming climate as well. It won't be too long into the future when the lawyers sue the pharmaceutical companies for the drugs that are making their way into our drinking water system, and the GE seed companies for destroying organic farmers crops. But it all develops because people stand up and say, ‘enough; I need my nature back!’  

But it all started with a few people – we, the people; for the people, and by the people. Never doubt the power of the people. So, what can you, the person, do to help save the world?

Here are 7 areas of life where you can do simple, inexpensive things that will make you feel better, in body and conscience, and in your wallet too. And above all, know you are giving your children a better, healthier, more peaceful world to grow up in and raise your grandchildren.

1.       Renewable Energy:
This means reducing consumption of oils for electricity, heating and cooling. It includes solar, wind, water, gas, geothermal processes. Federal and state green laws now offer substantial payments if you have these systems installed for your home or business. For example, a neighbor here on Long Island had a $20,000 solar electric system installed, and he only paid $3,000 (the Long Island Power Authority paid the rest). Now his monthly electric bills are ZERO! Check with your state energy company (their phone number is on your electric bill, or go to their website) for what you can do.
     You can start smaller by blocking energy leaks in your house – caulk windows with non-polluting caulk, use energy efficient windows, refrigerators, washers and dryers, TVs and computers, etc. Use ceiling fans in the summer to cut air conditioning costs. You should find many tips on your local energy company’s website.      

2. Transportation Energy:
This covers hybrid, bio-diesel, and high-mileage cars. In some areas of the US (e.g. Midwest), there bio-diesel gas stations are commonplace. In Texas, Willie Nelson has opened BioWillie bio-diesel gas stations. If you drive a diesel car, bus or truck or your company owns a fleet, consider buying your own bio-diesel gas maker and pay just 8 cents per gallon for gas! [see Realgoods.com]         
     If you’re stuck with a gas-guzzler, consider car pools, mass transportation, walking or bicycling to work, school, and shopping. The exercise yields the added benefit for health and happiness. Check with your company to see if they provide incentives for taking not driving your car to work; and suggest they consider this as part of their ‘giving back to the community’ projects. Walking alone will greatly help reduce the high incidence of obesity, asthma, and diabetes in both adults and children.           
     Major transportation companies are reducing their gas needs; UPS just bought a fleet of bio-diesel trucks; Walmart is doubling their gas mileage in their trucks. NY city taxi service is switching to hybrids, which will make them the first major US city to have an all-hybrid taxi fleet. The world IS changing!