14. Stop using pharmaceutical drugs and chemicals and go natural We are in a culture where medical consumerism is norm. Explore some of alternatives like using your food as preventative and curative medicine, or learn about herbs and spices that have traditionally boosted mankind's health for millennia. There are many gentle ways to find, promote and maintain health and you will find some excellent examples at StarFields Network.

15. Join an environmental group Express your energy in a collective way by joining a group that voices your concerns. Put your energy into changing situation for better by directly sponsoring a specific environmental cause.

16. Use natural materials from a sustainable source over synthetic materials The more natural a product is - less pollution is usually incurred in its production. Support your environment by valuing natural materials over synthetic, for example (organic) cotton over polyester. Think about where building materials or other resources have come from and processes it takes to make them.

17. Feed your neighbour A quick story based on Dante's Inferno: Dante (or someone like him) visits Hell and finds a room of 'food torture'. The inhabitants are glued to chairs round a large table covered with food, but they all have their arms replaced by 10 foot chopsticks. They lift bits of food high over their heads and drop it down onto their faces in a pathetic attempt to feed themselves. Later, our hero visits heaven and finds exactly same situation except for one thing. The people in heaven are feeding each other across table !

18. Dance, sing and laugh. Look after yourself and have fun If you are happy, fulfilled, in good humour, enjoying life's journey and so on - chances are that others around you will be able to feel that way too. This moves us all along.

19. Don't fly in airplanes If possible, take a ship or train for long hauls or holidays. Aircraft are extremely expensive in pollution terms. Enjoy sensation of travelling more slowly. Accept journey as part of trip.

20. Take an action holiday Why not donate your energy to a cause like helping indigenous people set up sustainable economies ? There are many companies offering experience of useful voluntary work overseas. This is a most direct way to contribute to a sustainable world and gives you face-to-face contact with other cultures.

21. Grow more plants indoors Enhance your pact with nature by turning your home into a plant haven. Even simple spider plants can improve your space by bringing nature in and cleaning air. Plants are pretty undemanding compared to pets and they bring life in and produce air. Go whole hog and grow some trees.

22. Consider changing your employment What does your 'means of income' do in energy terms ? If 'ethics' of your employment is distant from your own values then you have essentially sold your soul for money. Think carefully about consequences of your employment. Consider finding employment that is near to your core values and you will find a more fulfilled 'you'.

23. Review how you are investing in your own future Concerned about pensions ? It is certainly looking like someone has pulled plug on that one. Anyone under 45 should be looking to exactly what they want in older years and finding ways to achieve it that may not involve money. There are serious flaws in our investment systems that are becoming more and more evident. Co-operative or communal solutions to support in older years will be an increasing solution to lack of money.

24. Review your usage of water If you have metered water, review how much you use and where savings might be made. For example bath water (without chemicals) can be used to water plants, a brick in water cistern saves flush water. Can you use water that lands on your roof that you pay for privilege of having removed ? Water butts are cheaper than ever and some local councils offer price reductions to residents. There are many water filters on market that improve quality of tap-water and water is a key issue in health, we are mostly made of it ! Water is a key issue on planet earth in 21st century.

" Nearly 97% of world's water is sea water or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is locked up in ice caps and glaciers. This leaves 1% to meet all of humanities growing needs, including agriculture, manufacturing, community and personal household needs. Of that 1%, one quarter of world's fresh water is found in Canada's lakes, rivers and streams." (CPS June 2004)

25. Cut down on noise and light pollution Many birds in cities sing at night as it's only way they can make themselves heard. Generally birds in cities have to sing louder and stress this causes gives them shortened life spans. Listen for a moment now - what can you hear beyond hum of computer fan? How much of this noise is really needed? Wouldn't just some 'quiet times' be nice? Get together with your neighbours and see if you can negotiate a local 'quiet time', like a Sunday morning. Unnecessary light also interferes with wildlife and even worse - it blocks out stars - a source of wonder till end of time.

26. Start your own herb garden Grow your own medicinal and culinary herbs. Many of these are easy to grow on a windowsill, in a window box or tub somewhere. The direct growing and use of plants ties you into natural cycles and rhythms - you could even learn about 'moon gardening' cycles and biodynamics !

27. Grow your own food Even simple growing such as mustard cress or delicious sprouting seeds contributes to a good diet. A surprising amount of your own food can be grown in a little space by using 'potato stacks' or climbing fruits. There is no better feeling than harvesting your own crop and eating it with friends. There are many dwarf bush varieties of fruit, some even have more than one fruit type on same bush.

28. Downsize Think about how you can work less and keep a good quality of life. Balance quality of life with standard of living. Contribute less to GDP and national/global economy and more to a wholesome local and global ecology. Think global and act local.

29. Go organic Whatever you consume, source it from a place that values natural processes over industrial ones. There are many enterprises providing organic food, drink, clothing or materials from sustainable sources. Take pride in tracking these down and using them in preference to more exploitative practices.

30. Spend time with nature Take time to visit nature and spend time relating with it. Find and adopt special places where you can go to feel cycles and forces of nature and know that it is an aspect of you, and you of it. Many people are forming 'collectives' to protect or improve special places they value.

Misting atmosphere with lavender essential oil (put 5 or 6 drops in a plant mister half filled with water) will lift ambience and leave a wonderful fragrant aroma. Mist regularly during Christmas season and see beneficial effects on your guests.