Libba Bray recommends registering with catalogchoice.org to rid your mailboxes of unwanted junk mail. I signed up for that right away, and I hope that it works. Why spend all of that time recycling catalogs that I do not even look at?

Joseph Bruchac reuses envelopes that come to him in the mail by sticking new labels on them. I make new envelopes out of used calendar pictures; they are much more beautiful than plain white envelopes!

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor says to open drapes during the winter, and close them during the summer to reduce heating and cooling costs. My mother told me the same thing, and my apartment is much more comfortable now!

Dana Reinhardt does not buy over packaged food. I will pay more for less packaging if necessary, and I buy recycled toilet paper, which is more expensive than non recycled, but I want to be green.

Lois Duncan saves gas by walking, riding her bike, or using public transportation to get to her destinations. 

Norma Fox Mazer uses cloth bags for grocery shopping instead of plastic, which is made from oil. Plastic can last for at least 50 years, and it is not biodegradable. 

Margie Palatini uses a snow shovel and a push mower to keep the driveway and grounds tidy.

Tanya Lee Stone is determined to use food and medications, which can still be good, past the expiration dates.

Susan Beth Pffefer obtains her neutered and spayed animals from animal shelters, not puppy mills or breeders, which simply contribute to pet overpopulation and euthanasia.

Rafe Martin buys less by not purchasing items that he does not need. This can save $ as well!

Marcie Aboff relates a folktale about one individual making a difference. A man says to a girl throwing a starfish into the sea that she cannot possible save them all from dying. She said, "It made a difference to that one."

Karen Cushman became an environmental advocate, by writing letters to elected officials and signing petitions. 

Recycle This Book: 100 Top Children's Book Authors Tell You How to Go Green edited by Dan Gutman, 2009 

I love the environment, and any ideas I can use to live even more in tune with the earth are appreciated. It was interesting to see what ideas these authors generated, especially those whose work I know.

My only criticism of the book is that it tends to be somewhat repetitive; some authors offer similar if not almost identical information and ideas. One of the authors is an Iditarod musher. Being vegetarian also helps the earth. Come up with your own ideas of how to save the environment!

• Books about the environment
• American Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Catalog choice
• Greenpeace
• International Reading Association
• North American Butterfly Association
• Vegan Dandy