7 easy ways to fight smog

5. Switch your lightbulbs
Another easy way to save energy is to use compact fluorescent bulbs rather than traditional incandescent ones -- they may cost more, but not only do they use way less electricity, they last a lot longer, too. The most important places to install compact fluorescents are the fixtures that get the most use, such as motion sensor lights outdoors or lights that get left on for long periods of time. And don't think you have to change every bulb in the house (although that would be nice) -- just switching one or two will make a big difference. (Encourage your friends to make the change as well!)

6. Eat less meat
Not only does meat production consume massive amounts of water and electricity, the animals eat a lot of food -- and that food has to come from somewhere. In much of the world, valuable forest land is being cleared to make way for agriculture, leaving less trees to act as the planet's lungs. In fact, there isn't enough land on Earth to produce a typical North American's meat intake for everyone on the planet. By cutting your consumption -- try having a vegetarian dinner a couple times a week, for instance -- you'll be reducing our need for cultivated land, not to mention reaping the health benefits of eating less animal foods.

Click here for 101 vegetarian recipes!

7. Wait to buy gas (and other car-related tips)
Cars really do make the biggest impact on air quality, and we couldn't ignore them completely. So if you are driving on a smog day, try to wait until the evening -- or even the next day -- to buy gas, as gasoline vapours add to air pollution. Some other suggestions: Don't let your car idle (one minute of idling uses more fuel than restarting your engine), drive at moderate speeds (stopping and starting uses more gas), and keep your car well-tuned and tires well-inflated to use less gas. Who knows? By following these tips, you may end up with more cash in hand as well.

Take our car-smart quiz!

So there you have it -- small changes that, when added up, can make a big difference. After you've made them in your own life, pass them on to your friends and family. And for even more great help-the-environment tips, pick up It's Easy Being Green by Crissy Trask (click here for 23 of her great suggestions).

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