Family Financial Centers, LLC, the true innovator in the alternative financial services market today announced the opening of its Store-N-Store concept within the Food King Grocery Store chain in greater Baltimore, MD.

“The Store-n-Store operation will provide complete financial service solutions for Food King customers” commented Paul Eckert, CEO and founder of Family Financial Centers.  Bernie Meizlish, President of Food King grocery stores, stated “having Family Financial Centers in our locations will provide added convenience to our customers, as well as increased revenue due to increased cash available for expenditures by our customers.

Our society has many downfalls, but perhaps one of our biggest downfalls is that we are wasteful. Incredibly wasteful actually. Our lives are spent wasting time, energy, and emotion on people and activities that do nothing for us. We sit down to a meal and fill our plates with more food than we could possibly eat and the leftovers get wasted. We drive our cars to work and play without thinking of the gasoline that is being used irresponsibly. Everyone is guilty of wasting, and therefore everyone needs to add an important concept to many areas of their life: conservation.

Our first thoughts about conservation probably take us to picturing a rain forest somewhere in the jungle whose trees are being quickly cut down or to a village in Africa whose meager water supply is wasted on unnecessary things. While these are both situations that could rightly learn from the concept of conservation, there are many more areas of life that could learn a lesson as well.

I am a firm believer than any true change in the world will happen only as individuals start that change in their own lives. So let’s begin thinking about convservation as it relates only to our individual lives. Think about the most valuable resources you have at your disposal. For me, the most valuable resources are my time, energy, mind, and health. It is only as we begin to see our lives as full of natural resource that we can begin the process of conservation and protection of these resources.

If time is one my greatest assets I must think about the ways I spend or use that resource. I can practice conservation by looking for ways to use my time more efficiently and wisely. I must also look for ways to practive conservation of my energy. I can do this by taking time for exercise, proper sleep, and relaxing activities. The great resource of my mind needs to be conserved by taking time to enrich it through reading, studying and even writing. You should consider your own valuable resources and look for ways to practice the conservation of each of them.

As I am committed to practicing conservation in my own life then I can begin to look outside myself and see resources in my neighborhood or city that can be conserved as well. I will become increasingly aware of the necessity of spending all of the world’s valuable resources in effective and helpful ways.

Paul Eckert 50 Ways by Paul Purcell.

With many areas of the country in drought conditions, all of us could use a reminder list of ways to cut back on our water consumption around the house.

You can go three weeks without food, but only three days without W.A.T.E.R.:

Waste: “Tighten plumbing leaks and prevent other needless losses of water.

Application: Where do you use water that you shouldn’t?

Teaching: It’s good you’re following these suggestions, but what about others? Pass these along.

Economy: Where do you need to use water that you could use less?

Reclamation: Where can you get extra water?

1. Fire Safety. Summer brings heat, dryness, and wildfires and winter sees increased house fires from additional heating sources. Since a fire would need hundreds or thousands of gallons of water to fight, any fire prevention steps are water saving steps.

2. Brick in the toilet. A brick in the toilet tank takes up space to replace water. If a brick uses half a quart of space, you save half a quart per flush. Hint: Since bricks can dissolve, paint it with basement water sealant.

3. Color coded conservation. You don’t always have to flush your toilet every time. To borrow an old adage, “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.”

4. Buy a low-flow toilet. Though an expensive option, it’s easy to incorporate into your lifestyle, and some communities offer homeowners rebates for installing these water-savers.

5. Rain barrels. Rain barrels save rain water. While you can’t immediately drink this water, you can use it in food gardens, for outside washing, and you can purify it for bathing. Also, buy storage barrels to keep in the garage, and use them to store water saved by methods listed in this article. Mark the barrel as to whether the water is drinkable.

6. AC condensation. If you have central heat and air, you have a drain line that carries away the condensation that collects from your air conditioner coils. If yours is not connected to sewage lines you can collect and use this water. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER! It can be used to water your garden, outside washing, or watering the house plants. You can collect up to two quarts per day during humid weather.

7. Squeeze-handle shower head. You can buy shower setups that have the squeeze-lever-activated head on a hose. This will let you wet down, lather up, and then rinse off without leaving the shower running. If you don’t like the squeeze-handle variety, you can find low-flow shower heads.

8. Faucet restrictors. Like the low-flow shower head, you can also find low-flow faucet restrictors.

9. Liquid soap. For hand washing, nothing saves water like liquid soap since it lathers more quickly than bar soap. Squirt a small dollop of liquid soap, give a quick burst from the faucet, lather, and turn the faucet back on briefly to rinse.

10. Spray bottles. Keep a small spray bottle of water by the sink. When washing your hands (with liquid soap), or wetting your toothbrush, all you need is a quick spritz from the bottle instead of using the faucet.

11. Plastic gloves. Plastic foodservice gloves come 100 to a box for just a couple of dollars. If there’s anything you’d do that would make you wash your hands before, during, or afterwards (like painting, etc.), then wearing gloves will save a hand washing.

12. Paper plates. During a drought; water takes temporary precedence over other resources. Using paper plates saves dishwashing water. Paper towels will also help by cutting down on the number of cloth towels you have to wash.

13. Keep a jug by the sink. Keep an empty water jug by the sink to catch and save cold water coming from the tap while you’re waiting for the hot water. If you collect a lot of water this way, put it in your storage barrels.

14. Consolidate heavy work. Do you do things at different times of day that make you sweaty? Consolidate these efforts. If you work out and also work in the yard, try to work out and then immediately do your yard work. Stay sweaty, take just one shower, and wear just one set of clothes.

15. Waterless car wash. Several companies produce “waterless carwash” products that let you spray them on and wipe them off leaving your car spotless without the use of water. (For one that benefits schools, see http://www.beatthedirt.com or call them at 601-503-8300.)

16. Disposable paint brushes. If you have to paint, try to use zero water. Wear your plastic gloves and use brushes you can just throw away.

17. No lawn watering. However, if you collected the rain water or AC condensation earlier, you might use a watering can to cure brown spots, or water shrubs or trees that might die.

18. Check faucet washers. However, know what you’re doing before tackling the repairs yourself since a plumbing accident could spew more water than your faucet drip.

19. Full dish washer. Letting the dishes pile up in the sink is okay if you’re waiting for a full load for the dishwasher.

20. Full clothes washer. Full loads of laundry are best as they’re more water-efficient. And if you have just one or two items to wash? Hand wash them in the sink.

21. Hand wash over dishes. If you’re letting dishes pile up and some need some presoaking, use the kitchen sink for hand washing. Let the soapy water accumulate and pull double duty by pre-cleaning your dishware.

22. Dig a well. If you live in an area where you can have a well, please dig one. Though pricey, it will give you an alternate source of water and will help conserve city water.

23. Dixie cups. These tiny cups can let you see how much (or little) water you need for things like rinsing after brushing your teeth. And since they’re disposable, you don’t have to wash.

24. Pass this list to a friend. It’s good that you’re reading this list. Passing it along to others helps them conserve too. With conservation, it really is “the more the merrier.”

25. No new aquariums. If the kids come home wanting anything more than a fishbowl for a new aquatic pet, do what you can to talk them out of it. Unless of course, you fill it and maintain it with rainwater.

26. Nuke your water. For some hot water needs it’s thriftier to fill a cup with cold water and zap it in the microwave, rather than let the water run until the hot water shows.

27. Shave from a cup. One use for your cup of hot water is shaving. Rather than let the water run during a shave, just rinse your razor in the cup. Better yet, if possible, use an electric razor.

28. Skip a shower. If you’re not dirty and you’re not going to do anything but hang around the house, especially if by yourself, why take a shower?

29. Let the kids skip a bath. If you want to be a hero to your children, provided they’re really not dirty and don’t need it, let them skip every other day’s bath or shower.

30. Baking soda for Fido. Your dog’s baths can be a little farther apart too, if you give them a dry rubdown with baking soda. Rub it in their fur and then brush it out thoroughly. They’ll smell lots better, and be happy they skipped a soaking.

31. Nuke a washcloth. Wet a washcloth with a quick blast from the faucet, add liquid soap, and zap it in the microwave for a few seconds. You could wash your face and hands, and probably take half a bath. Wet another washcloth and microwave it a few seconds for a quick rinse cloth.

32. Paper towel dry-off. After your sponge bath with your microwaved washcloths, dry off with paper towels.

33. Kiddie pools. If you’re lacking rain barrels and want to catch a few drops, get some rigid plastic “kiddie pools.” They’re inexpensive and will hold gallons of rain runoff from your gutter downspouts.

34. Solar showers. Have a private back yard? Like being outdoors? You can get “solar showers” at almost any camping supply store. Use your collected rain water for that occasional warm-weather outdoor shower.

35. No swimming pool. You save lots of water by not filling your pool. But how could you use existing pool water? The chlorine will evaporate in a few weeks if not maintained, but not enough to drink the water. Use the water for outdoor washing, outdoor showers, flushing your toilet, or as a firefighting water reservoir if your home is in a wildfire area. (See http://www.disasterprep101.com/wildfire.htm )

36. Check your meter. Check for leaks at your water meter. If yours is leaking, notify your local water authority.

37. Check for a leaky toilet. Put a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank’s water. If you see the colored water in the bowl after a few minutes you have a leak and might need a new tank valve.

38. Tie up a tarp. If you’re really serious about collecting rain water, tie a few tarps in place to where they drain into your kiddie pool or other collection point.

39. Frozen water bottles. Keep plastic bottles of water (about 4/5 full) in your freezer. When using your cooler, use a few frozen bottles of water to keep food cold.

40. Water at restaurants. If you don’t plan to drink it, don’t let the waiter leave you a glass of water at the table.

41. Dishes: wipe vs. rinse. If the dishes are too dirty to stick straight in the dishwasher, wipe them off with newspaper rather than rinsing them. You save water and get double-duty from your newspaper.

42. Let Fido lick the bowl. If you have a dog, let Fido clean your dishes before they’re put in the dishwasher. (Don’t give Fido too much, or anything bad for a dog.)

43. Aluminum foil. When cooking at home, line your pots and pans with aluminum foil. When you’re done cooking, remove the foil to make cleanup easier.

44. Buying your water. If you buy your drinking water, go for the gallons of distilled water rather than the smaller bottles of mineral water. The distilled is a better value and is actually more pure than the “designer waters.”

45. Bug sprayers. Your lawn and garden store will have 2-gallon pump-up sprayers. These will help you use your collected rain water or pool water for washing (and even fighting small fires).

46. “Go Jo.” Go Jo is a waterless hand soap that mechanics use. It’s rather effective on dirty hands and can be used without water. Similarly, use the little bottles of clear hand sanitizer.

47. In-line water heater. In-line water heaters can be installed closer to the faucets or tubs they’re to heat, and use less energy. If you get one don’t do away with your old water heater (even if you cut off the gas or electric to it) since it’s a great backup reservoir in water shortage scenarios.

48. No mopping. Most households now have a “Swiffer” or comparable cleaning aid intended to replace old-fashioned mops. If you haven’t made the switch, doing so will save a few gallons of water per year.

49. Skip a laundry load. Once in a while, some clothing really doesn’t need to be washed. In mild weather, outer shirts that were only worn briefly might need just a “fluff in the dryer” or another ironing to be perfectly ready to wear. Bachelors have known this secret for years.

50. General safety. We started this article with fire safety and we’ll close with general safety. Each time you prevent a trip to the hospital, you prevent the extra water that would be used during your visit.

Water is like money. Learn to save it well and spend it wisely.

Paul Eckert About Electricity Dependency By Shelly Wagar.

Why are we so dependent on electricity? The answer is simple – electricity allows modern appliances and more convenience in our lives. What would life be like if we went back to the time before electricity? Life was much harder than, and electricity has made modern life possible. The problem with being dependent on electricity is the fact that much of the electricity we use is created in coal powered energy plants. When coal is burned, greenhouse gases and pollution are emitted that cause environmental harm. Going back to no electricity is not a viable option, but we can lower our electricity consumption and find other ways to create electricity using alternative energy sources instead of coal and other fossil fuels. Waste to energy programs are one way that needed electricity can be produced without using fossil fuels, and there are many others.

The basics of electricity production are not as complex as many believe. Electricity can be produced using many other methods besides ones which require fossil fuels. Wind power, solar power, ocean power, and geothermal power are all alternative energy sources which can produce electricity. The basic production is the same though because all electricity starts with electrons, and a conductor which allows these electrons to travel through the material. Without a conductor it is not possible for electricity to travel from one place to another. A generator is used to move the electricity in the desired direction and flow. For electricity to be produced an electrical circuit is needed. Electricity production is possible using alternative energy sources instead of coal or other fossil fuels, and this will give many benefits, including environmental benefits.

Energy conservation efforts must be used to minimize electricity dependence, while using alternative energy sources to create the electricity needed. But exactly what lies behind real energy conservation? Real energy conservation means cutting back on the electricity you use, and making sure that the electricity you do use for necessities is produced from eco friendly alternative energy sources, instead of coal or other fossil fuels. If you have older appliances, replace them with energy efficient models that do not require as much electricity, and make your home as energy efficient as possible. Try to minimize electricity use as much as possible, and use clean sources of electricity.

The benefits of using energy saving light bulbs can help with electricity conservation. These bulbs last ten times longer than the usual light bulbs, and do not cost much more. Energy saving bulbs can help save both money and energy, because they do not have to be replaced as frequently, and they require much less energy to use. In addition less waste goes to the landfill, because energy saving bulbs do not need to be replaced anywhere near as often as traditional light bulbs. These bulbs can be an efficient way to conserve energy and protect the environment from harm, and is just one way out of thousands that you can use conservation efforts to make a difference. Electricity dependence does not mean conservation efforts can not be effective. Protecting the environment, conserving energy, and using alternative energy sources to produce electricity will prevent any energy crisis and keep the environment in good shape.

By Joshua Vadney

We’ve all heard about conserving water on the evening news. Water shortages and drought conditions in several counties across the country and local municipalities invoking rate hikes and water restrictions that can affect you and your family. Whether or not you live in an affected area, there are several easy steps families can take to reduce their water consumption just in the kitchen alone.

Here are 8 easy tips to get you started.

1. Only run the dishwasher when its completely FULL. Half loads waste water and your machine runs more efficiently when fully loaded.

2. When handwashing dishes only fill the sink half full of water. You don’t need to completely fill the sink to scrub the dishes or pans. Don’t run the water as you wash the dishes. And don’t rinse the dishes until you are done. Then rinse them all at once.

3. When cooking with water ( boiling eggs, pasta, or vegetables ) don’t throw it out when you are done. Let it cool and use it to water your plants. The nutrients in the water are better for your plants and then you don’t have to use fresh water from your faucet.

4. Do not run the faucet to get a few cups of hot water. It takes less energy to microwave a few cups of water than to waste gallons of water waiting for it to get hot.

5. Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge so you always a cold glass of water without running the faucet.

6. Fix leaky faucets. If you have a faucet that drips you are wasting gallons of water every day. Usually, its something as simple as replacing a simple o ring in the faucet handle or tightening the screw that holds it together that can stop the leak. There are many online fix it websites that will show you step by step how to fix simple leaks.

7. If you live in an older home make sure your plumbing is kept up to date whenever possible as most leaky pipes are caused by poor plumbing maintenance or improper connections.

8. If you are planning to update your kitchen appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, etc) be sure to check their energy rating and buy the most efficient one possible. Most manufacturers have the ratings listed right on the door of the appliance so it is easy to comparison shop. It may cost you extra to buy a higher, more efficient model but you will save money over the long run.

Paul Eckert Smart Energy Conservation Energy Saver Dave.

Whether you are planning to live “off the grid” and free yourself from energy bills or just “kick back” and enjoy lower energy bills, the first step is always to understand your home’s energy usage and employ good old fashioned energy conservation techniques.

The reason for this is simple – you can not be charged for what you don’t use (in terms of energy…well this is strictly untrue if you are on a utility company’s budget payment system…but we’ll pretend for a moment that is not the case.) So, if you use less energy, your energy bill will go down.

Makes sense. So…how do you conserve energy?

It all starts with understanding your home, and more to the point, understand how you and your family use energy. Simple everyday activities, like turning off the lights when you leave a room really can add up to make a difference. Now that the holidays are here, not going overboard with the lighted decorations (and those inflatable, light up decorations) can help. Of course, if you do go overboard (like many of us tend to) just mind the usage. There is no need to run them every night. If you must, run them a couple of hours at the most. Every hour those machines are being run, energy is being used – sometimes in mass quantity. And since you pay per kw/hour, this could really add up.

Energy conservation doesn’t stop there, though. Only running the appliances such as the dishwasher and washing machine when full saves on both electricity and hot water. (Hot water is a double whammy – you incur a water cost, plus the cost to heat the water…and keep it heated.) And promptly removing clothes from the dryer avoids running the dryer again to remove the wrinkles from clothes that have sat too long. (Dryers can be another double whammy…the electricity to run the motor, plus the cost of energy to heat the unit.)

By intelligently regulating the heating and cooling of your house, you can also conserve energy and keep your bills low throughout the year. For example, lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees F when you’re home can save you as much as 5-10% during the cold season. And letting your thermostat go as high as in the mid 70’s during the warm summer months will save you on air conditioning costs.

You can realize even more savings by avoiding overuse of the heat as well. For example, at night, it isn’t necessary to keep the thermostat at 68. Try lowering it even more, and just doubling up on the blankets or cuddling up to your loved one to keep warm.

Keep in mind that all these tips might help you save money on energy…but when it comes to saving on your energy bills there aren’t any guarantees. Why? Because every single home is different. Every single situation is different, just as every family uses energy differently. A family of 5 will use energy much differently than a family of 2. This isn’t a bad thing at all – it is just a fact of life.

DIY Wind Power – Great Energy Option for Home or Business

Paul Eckert DIY Wind Power Author: Abhinav Sidana.

An increasing number of people prefer alternative sources of energy these days. Wind power is perhaps the most extensively used among all the renewable sources of energy. It has also become very economical and practical option to build a homemade windmill these days. A typical do it yourself or DIY windmill can help you save substantial amounts of money on energy bills over a period of time. DIY wind power is also the best option if you are serious about contributing towards the betterment of the environment.

The best thing about DIY wind power is that you need not spend a fortune building a windmill. You need not have miles of land or loads of money to build one. All that you need are the necessary equipment coupled with the knowledge to assemble the various different parts. There are many online guides available nowadays which can help you with the whole process of building your own windmill.

The first step in the entire process involves choosing a location to build your own windmill. The location should be such that there is free access to wind currents. One need not live in a wind tunnel to generate wind power though. Some amount of wind, on a consistent basis, throughout the year is what you should look for. You can choose from either wooden or aluminum when it comes to the material of the windmill. This said though, a vast majority of people these days prefer aluminum over wood because of the durability factor.

An increasing number of people are switching over to DIY wind power these days. They offer the best way to tackle all the problems caused by rising levels of pollution around the world.

Paul Eckert Fuel Conservation Tips By Anne Clarke.

Even if you do not consider yourself an environmentalist, a little fuel conservation can really help not just the environment, but also your wallet! The price of petrol seems to always be on the rise. The best defense against rising gas prices is fuel conservation.

Map out a good plan of fuel conservation by following these helpful ways to conserve fuel:

Great fuel conservation starts before you even hit the road:

· Keep your vehicle properly tuned, and it can get from 6 to 20 percent better gas mileage.

· Keep your tires aligned and inflated properly. You should check your tire pressure once a month. Having tire pressures that are too low can increase your use of fuel by 3%

· Replace your air filter.

· If you are not using your roof-racks, take them off! They add to drag. Unnecessary weight in your car can also take away from good gas mileage (this does not mean that you can throw your sister out of the car to conserve fuel… although, it would help!)

· Another way to start good fuel conservation is to plan ahead. Combine your errands into one trip. Think about riding your bike, walking, riding the bus, or carpooling when possible and reasonable.

Fuel conservation can greatly be improved while you are driving or at the pump:

· Slow down! There is a reason why you coast to a gas station when your vehicle is on empty – you are not going to get to a gas station faster by driving faster when the faster you drive the more gas you use! In simpler terms, your fuel usage will greatly decrease when you are driving at speeds above 55 mph. Besides, you will have a safer drive when you slow down, too.

· Avoid rapid accelerating. In fact, you ought to let up on the accelerator (by driving slower), and when you use the accelerator, use it gently. There is a reason why it is called “stepping on the gas.” The harder you step on the gas, the faster you use up your gas. Relax your driving style. Do not drive aggressively. Accelerate slowly. Driving aggressively can lessen your fuel conservation by 30-40 percent.

· Do not tailgate because it will lead to unnecessary braking and then acceleration.

· Do not idle. Modern cars no longer need to warm up to run.

· Turn off your car when you are waiting for someone.

· Your cruise control will add to your fuel conservation (of course, it is unreasonable to use it while just driving around town.)

· Your use of the air conditioner lessens your fuel economy, as well, especially if you use it at 40 mph or more. Why not just open the window to cool off? Park your vehicle in the shade.

· Using overdrive will lessen your fuel consumption while on the highway.

· Drive at the highest appropriate gear.

· While at the gas pump, use the lowest octane petrol suitable for your car – check your owner’s manual.

· Fill up your car with gas early in the morning and on cooler days. The colder the gasoline is, the more compact it is… you will therefore end up getting more bang for your buck.

This may seem like a long road to fuel conservation, but even just doing a few of these things can really help improve your gas mileage. You could possible improve your fuel conservation by 40% or so by following some of these tips.

If all of these suggestions seem overwhelming, just take a few at a time. The road to great fuel conservation can be a long one. Most all of the tips that we have given as of yet can be found in greater detail at the U.S. Department of Energy.

All of the tips on fuel conservation that we have given you so far have to do with the vehicle that you already have. If you are planning on going out and buying a new vehicle, consider a vehicle that conserves fuel by design.

Check out the hybrids or smaller cars. A hybrid vehicle may cost more at the onset, but you will surely save money in the end, especially if gas prices continue to rise. If you do not need a ton of horsepower, abandon it – you will get better gas mileage.

Paul Eckert Conservation Starts With You By: Julee Mitchelsin

Our society has many downfalls, but perhaps one of our biggest downfalls is that we are wasteful. Incredibly wasteful actually. Our lives are spent wasting time, energy, and emotion on people and activites that do nothing for us. We sit down to a meal and fill our plates with more food than we could possibly eat and the leftovers get wasted. We drive our cars to work and play without thinking of the gasoline that is being used irresponsibly. Everyone is guilty of wasting, and therefore everyone needs to add an important concept to many areas of their life: conservation.

Our first thoughts about conservation probably take us to picturing a rain forest somewhere in the jungle whose trees are being quickly cut down or to a village in Africa whose meager water supply is wasted on unnecessary things. While these are both situations that could rightly learn from the concept of conservation, there are many more areas of life that could learn a lesson as well.

I am a firm believer than any true change in the world will happen only as individuals start that change in their own lives. So let’s begin thinking about convservation as it relates only to our individual lives. Think about the most valuable resources you have at your disposal. For me, the most valuable resources are my time, energy, mind, and health. It is only as we begin to see our lives as full of natural resource that we can begin the process of conservation and protection of these resources.

If time is one my greatest assets I must think about the ways I spend or use that resource. I can practice conservation by looking for ways to use my time more efficiently and wisely. I must also look for ways to practive conservation of my energy. I can do this by taking time for exercise, proper sleep, and relaxing activities. The great resource of my mind needs to be conserved by taking time to enrich it through reading, studying and even writing. You should consider your own valuable resources and look for ways to practice the conservation of each of them.

As I am committed to practicing conservation in my own life then I can begin to look outside myself and see resources in my neighborhood or city that can be conserved as well. I will become increasingly aware of the necessity of spending all of the world’s valuable resources in effective and helpful ways.

Paul Eckert in Your Community Author: Wendy Pan

Community energy conservation efforts can go a long way with short changes to make a big difference. Community leaders can truly lead the way, by hosting public events that encourage residents to follow energy conservation practices. Local ordinances can be formed or rewritten to encourage conservation of local public resources, and provide avenues for residents to participate in resource conservation, recycling, and reuse of materials.

Local communities are working together to provide recycling centers for public use. They can revise building codes to promote environmentally sustainable technology so that new buildings and remodels are made into healthy buildings. Efforts can be made to avoid excess duplication, by not allowing strip malls on every corner that cover land and add to urban sprawl, through zoning laws that are more environmentally friendly than builder friendly.

As population spreads, so does the impact of pollution and the potential for permanent damage. Local communities can work together to protect the environment and indigenous species from this overload and damage. Mass transit systems can be improved and brought out to their remote communities. Car pooling parking lots can be zoned into land management and car pooling encouraged. Zoning can be planned for maximum use in minimum areas to preserve the landscape, and parks are wonderful additions for local residents. Renewable and recyclable building materials can be encouraged. How land is developed, and built up, has major impact upon local resources and natural habitats. Careful planning can help offset the impact and promote conservation efforts.

By providing local resources, local farm markets, and local recreation sites, overall energy consumption is reduced, and local businesses profit. Even utilities can be managed locally, with some communities being built with a target of zero energy cost, using solar and wind power systems for the entire area. Lighting in buildings and on streets can be refitted to be efficient, solar powered, and otherwise conservative of energy resources. In high population areas, parks help relive the urban heat island problem, as well as be available for local recreation and open spaces.

Community energy conservation needs to increase awareness of the eco-system, and promote new advances in conservation techniques and materials, so they get used. Small changes by all can lead to big results for conservation of natural resources like water, electric and natural gas. Businesses can encourage employees to follow conservative practices at work as well as at home, like turning off unneeded lighting, and powering down machinery and computers when not working with them.