We all know that our planet is in a danger zone, and it is imperative that the governments of the world act quickly to halt, and reverse, the damage that has already been done to our air, soil and water. But what can you and I do in our busy lives to make a difference? We hear about car pooling, riding bicycles instead of driving and buying energy efficient appliances, but those things are not always possible, and can be expensive too. How about a few simple things you can do at home that won't cost you much, and can even save you money?

Check out these ten cheap and easy tips, so you can help too:

1. Change your toilet paper: Standing forests are harvested to make your toilet paper soft and fluffy. Over 20% of conventional toilet paper comes from old growth and second growth living trees, and chlorine bleach, an environmental toxin, is used to whiten the pulp. Do you really need your toilet paper to be that fluffy, and why on earth must it be white? It is estimated that if every household in the United States replaced just one roll of conventional toilet paper with a roll made from recycled paper, it could save almost half a million trees! And if you buy in bulk (available online too) the price can be about the same as you're paying now.

2. Put a lid on it: When you boil water, say for pasta, put a lid on the pot. When you are boiling water for tea, fill the kettle with just a little bit more than what you need, instead of boiling a full kettle for one cup. It may not seem like much, but if everyone does it (like voting) it will make a significant difference.

3. Unplug: It is estimated that you can save over a thousand pounds of carbon dioxide per year by unplugging the electronic devices in your home while not in use. Don't leave cell phone adapters plugged in when you're done recharging, and unplug toasters, coffee pots etc. when not in use. You can put TVs, DVDs etc. on power strips that are easy to reach. You don't need everything on standby mode while you are at work all day.

4. Check your tire pressure: It is possible to save up to $800 worth of gas per year simply by keeping your tires properly inflated. You use more gas when they are low and that is money out of your pocket, and emissions into the air we all have to breathe.

5. Don't idle your car: How many times have you sat in your car with the engine running, waiting to pick the kids up, or while someone just runs into the store for a quick minute? If it is for more than 30 seconds, turn it off! The exception is in traffic, of course, where that could be unsafe.

6. Air dry clothes whenever possible: The weather is warmer now and you'd be surprised how quick and easy it is to let the sun dry your clothes. For about $12, you can buy a simple folding rack and put it on the patio, by a sunny window, or even just in a corner of the living room overnight. After they are dry, you can fluff towels and T-shirts in the dryer without heat for three or four minutes to soften them up, but you'll find that it is not necessary for much of your laundry. If every household in the United States air dried just ONE load of laundry per year, we could keep 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere! This is the equivalent to reducing coal use by 30 million tons each year!

7. Stop using air fresheners full of toxic chemicals: Don't spray more nasty stuff into the air you and your family breathe every day. Look for all natural alternatives (lots available online if your local store doesn't carry any), or try these two simple ideas: sprinkle baking soda on your carpets for an hour or two before vacuuming to absorb odors, and make your own air freshener by putting orange or lemon peels in a pot with two or three cups of water. Add a little cinnamon or a bay leaf or two, and simmer slowly. This adds a lovely scent to your home, naturally.

8. Don't throw your old batteries away: If rechargeable batteries are too pricey for you, save your old batteries in a box or old plastic bag and take them to a recycler once or twice a year. Many of the large hardware chains now have recycling receptacles for batteries. Or call 1-800-8-BATTERY or 1-877-2-RECYCLE to find out where you can recycle near your home.

9. Stop adding kitchen sponges to landfill: I bought a half dozen terry cloth washcloths on sale for 49 cents each. I use one a day and toss it in the laundry when I'm done with it. If you have the time, cut up an old towel (that you were going to throw away or give to the thrift store) and hem the edges. You'll save money too, as these can be washed and re-used for years.

10. Save water: In our house, it takes a long time for the water in the shower or kitchen sink to get warm enough. Instead of letting all that water run down the drain (and pay for it too) we fill up the watering can, the water purifier pitcher, and a medium sized bucket and utilize every drop. The bucket can be used to flush a toilet (just pour about half of the bucket in quickly) or taken outside to water the garden. We've cut our water use almost in half just with this simple step.

All of these tips are simple, quick and easy, and will save you money too. They may seem like small steps, but if we all start with the little things, we'll be better able to tackle the big ones. And remember, every little bit helps!

I have co-founded a website that is dedicated to those who wish to live a more natural and organic life. Together with my sister Kathy, we have created Organic Eden. Our site has lots and lots of information about planting and growing your own organic garden, and about creating a more natural and eco-friendly home. We've done the research for you, and our website provides links to many natural and safe products for your garden, home and family. We are both grandmothers who want a safer and healthier world to pass on to our grandchildren.

We'd love to have you visit us at http://www.organic-eden.com today.