There's a few things you can do to make your car washing a little less harsh on the environment and water resources. Here's some tips:

Wash your car on the grass.

This will give the grass a drink, the soil will help to break down impurities and prevent the water from entering stormwater drains and winding up in local waterways. Some of the chemicals in car wash detergents are nutrients for algae; so this water getting into waterways can add to algael bloom and eutrophication problems.

Be hose wise

The only time you should have the hose on is when rinsing. Also use an adjustable trigger nozzle to improve pressure while reducing water consumptions

Detergent

Use an earth friendly detergent or consider not using any at all if possible. If you do use detergent, don't use in excess of manufacturer's recommendations; you'll only waste money, put more chemicals into your lawn and you won't get a better result.

Use a bucket more

The hose should only be used for the final rinse. Sure, it's easier to sit there and blast off grime with the hose, but it uses a ton of water. A bit of elbow grease using a sponge and bucket is good exercise too :).

Wash in the shade

Hot metal evaporates water incredibly quickly. The more that evaporates, the more you'll need to use so try and either wash your car in the shade, wait for a cloudy day or do it early in the morning or late in the evening.

Wash less

Back in the day, it wasn't unusual for guys to wash and polish their vehicles every Sunday - it became somewhat of a tradition. If you're washing your car purely out of habit rather than necessity, take a deep breath and try and go cold turkey for a while. It can be done and your car won't fall apart :)

Automatic car wash

Is an automated  car wash greener? The answer is - it depends. If you pass a car wash on your way to and from work, or during any of your regular driving, it could be a more environmentally friendly alternative. Modern car washes use far less water than a home wash and they recycle their water. Automated car washes use anywhere from 20 to 45 gallons of water, but home washing can easily use in excess of a hundred gallons.

If getting to a car wash requires a special trip, then it's likely not a green option when you consider the emissions of your vehicle and gas consumption to and from the car wash.

Waterless car wash

I've noticed a lot of products on the market now claiming to be waterless car washes that are also environmentally friendly. I can't say I've ever used them, but I have read some encouraging reviews. These earth friendly products are made primarily from vegetable extracts and silicone. The are said to attract dirt via electrostatic means and then coat it. It's a matter of wiping on and wiping off. I was always taught that wiping off dirt in such a manner scratches the paint work, but if these products do really coat dirt, I guess it wouldn't be such an issue.

Perhaps these waterless car washing products could make a good alternative for when your car has only light grime or could be used every other time in order to reduce overall consumption of water.

As always, with any product claiming to be environmentally friendly, read the label and do a spot test first.

A nice shiny car is certainly a pleasure to behold, but given that fresh water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource and the general environment is rebelling against all the toxins and excess nutrients we've pumped into it over the years, it's now time for us all to practice moderation in all things - including washing our cars.

Sustainable building is a dying art. It is dying because soon it will be the new standard for how we construct buildings, both commercial and residential. So it behooves those in the design and construction industries to learn and implement these strategies now, before they are mandated.

There are several reasons to build sustainably. Not the least of which are the rising cost of fuel, the depletion of our natural resources, and pollution and global warming.

Here are some more reasons:

1. As was mentioned above, there are several environmental benefits to sustainable building. They include reducing carbon emissions, waste reduction, and renewing and preserving natural resources.

2. Buildings built sustainably have better indoor air quality. The reduced level of allergens and toxins in the indoor environment helps people feel better. Studies have shown this leads to increased productivity and feelings of well-being in work environments.

3. Sustainable materials are comparable in quality to their non-sustainable counterparts. Often they are even more durable and/or have other characteristics that make them more desirable. For example, cork is naturally antimicrobial, making it perfect for kitchen and bathroom flooring.

4. Sustainable buildings are generally more energy efficient than their traditional cousins (up to 40% or more). Better systems design, proper equipment sizing, and a tightly sealed building all contribute to a reduced need for heating and cooling. With energy costs increasing, the amount of savings will only grow over time.

How many times have you beat your brains out trying to find the perfect gift for someone who has everything? I don't even bother any more - I tend to give when I see a need, which makes it a nice surprise; or I give something to someone else on their behalf.

"Obligation" gifts such as we buy for birthdays, xmas and anniversaries etc have this horrible tendency of being accepted with a smile and sincere thanks and then stashed away somewhere, never to see the light of day.

Sure, it's the thought that counts, but in this age of hyperconsumption on a planet groaning under the stress of environmental problems, this is an aspect of our lives we can all certainly make changes to.

So what should you give to someone who has it all? Nothing. Well, sort of nothing.

Most people I know like to give and donate - but there's so many good causes, we can't support them all. The next time you are deciding on a gift for someone, make a donation to a charity on their behalf. Have a think about what they've expressed concern about. It could be polar bears, the lack of drinking water in developing countries, deforestation etc. etc. - there's literally thousands of different causes that would appreciate the cash and use it well.

Here's a few suggestions, all very beneficial gifting ideas, and just $15 to $40