How green is the world you live in? The inconvenient truth for some is that when it comes to “greening”Our home, our lifestyle and our pets are all important to us. We don’t know where to start.

Here are some eco-friendly, easy-to implement tips. Try them all. Try them all. They may make the world and us better.

* One coffee cup? Two cereal bowls? The dishwasher should not be used. Rinse thoroughly and let dry. Only run the dishwasher when it is full.

* Take shorter showers and consider baths a special treat. Hot water heaters can be a huge energy drain. Insulate your water heater. Low-flow shower heads will reduce water consumption and lower your water heating costs.

* Use more energy-efficient lighting throughout your home. LEDs have advanced a lot and are often 10x more efficient than compact fluorescents.

* Choose pet products and pet health care providers who share your concern for the natural world. World’s Best Cat Litter, for example, is 100% safe for your cat and your family. It is free from any added chemicals or fragrances. Because it does not contain silica dust, the chemical-free litter is suitable for pets and people with chemical sensitivities and allergies. The product contains no toxic substances, so it is safe for humans and pets.

* Close down your computer at night. A typical year’s average cost of $90 to turn off your computer is $90 in electricity. If you don’t plan to use your monitor for more then 20 minutes, the Department of Energy recommends that you turn off your entire system.

* One day each week, leave the car in the garage all day.

* Our parents were on to something -; when leaving a room, turn off the lights.

* Drip. Drip. Drip. A leaky faucet could waste as much as 20 gallons of water per day. A leaky toilet could flush an additional 200 gallons of water every day. Add six drops food coloring to the tank. Wait ten minutes. You have a leaker if you can’t find any color in the bowl.

* Planning to build a new home or add on to your existing residence? Find contractors that participate in green building programs.

* Take a cue from our grandparents. Clean with natural resources. In the past, vinegar and lemon juice were powerful tools.

* Get out the caulking gun, and weather strip your home.

* Walk, bike or car pool whenever possible. You’ll be able to save energy, and even burn a few more calories.