​Modern dishwashers are designed with energy and water efficiency in mind.  If used properly, they use less water and energy than hand-washing your dishes.  Here are a few things that can increase the efficiency: 

• Run the dishwasher when it is full, rather than running partial loads.  However, don’t fill it so full that the water cannot circulate effectively around the dishes, or they won’t get clean.
• Choose the “no-heat dry” setting or stop the dishwasher as it enters the drying cycle.  In most cases, the dishes will dry on their own without added heat, especially if you open the dishwasher door at the start of the dry cycle. 
• The newer dishwashers are designed to remove small food particles without a pre-rinse in the sink.  Scrape off the big chunks and put the dishes straight into the dishwasher. 
• Check to see if your dishwasher has an energy saver mode and read the owner’s manual.  The owner’s manual frequently has tips for how to get the best performance.  

If you live in a country that allows you to vote for your government leaders, it is very important that you make sure you are registered, do your research on the candidates and issues, and then VOTE!  In the US, the process can start nearly a year before a major national election. Primary elections or caucuses choose the candidates that will appear on the ballots, so if you want to affect which candidates get onto the ballot, you need to get involved early.  Do your research on the candidates and don’t rely on what the 30-second TV commercials tell you.  Remember that the local government officials also have a big impact and give the local candidates and issues the same scrutiny.  Some things to consider:

• What does this candidate stand for?  What changes does this candidate plan to make?
• Do the candidate’s proposals seem practical and logical?  Some candidates make promises that cannot be implemented.
• Have you researched the issues behind the candidate’s promises?  Sometimes when you research an issue you end up with a different idea of what should be done. 
• If you can vote on a new law or a change to an existing law, learn all you can about what the change means and how it will be implemented.   Some proposed changes are very well thought out and some proposed changes are so vague it’s hard to tell what will really happen.  

​There are several reasons to conserve water.  In dry areas of the world, water is a precious resource in short supply.  However, even in less dry areas, water conservation is important.  Many large cities import water from other locations.  This can cause environmental changes in the areas that supply the water because water is no longer available to the plants, animals, and humans that live there.  In addition, per the www.nrdc.org website, the collection, distribution, and treatment of drinking water and wastewater nationwide (in the US) consume tremendous amounts of energy and release approximately 116 billion pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year -- as much global warming pollution each year as 10 million cars.  Energy is used to get the water to the plant that treats it to make it safe to drink.  Energy is used to pump the water to your home.  Energy is then used to treat the water after it goes into the sewer at your home.  Ideas to consider to help conserve water (and energy);

• If you have drips or leaks in your plumbing, fix them.  Repairs to leaky faucets can sometimes be as simple as putting in a new washer. 
• Don’t leave the water running any longer than necessary to accomplish your task.  Don’t leave the water running while you brush your teeth or wash vegetables – turn the water on and off as you need it. 
• When buying new toilets, dishwashers, clothes washers, etc., look for low-water models. 
• Make sure you’re not overwatering outdoor plants and lawns.  Experiment to find the least amount of water you can use while still having healthy plants.

Consider low-water alternative landscaping.  I personally don’t like xeriscaping with rocks, as then the land is not available to support local animals, birds, and insects, but there are plenty of low-water plants and techniques that will also support the local critters. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium maintains a website that is packed with information on choosing seafood that will help maintain a healthy ocean.  According to the website, ninety percent of the world's fisheries are now fully exploited, over-exploited or have collapsed.  Fish farming, when done using sustainable methods, can help supply the world’s demand for seafood without negatively impacting the ocean environment.  However, some fish farming practices are also damaging to the ocean environment.  The seafoodwatch.org website provides extensive lists and information to help you choose sustainably caught or farmed fish so you can help the ocean stay healthy. 
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https://www.seafoodwatch.org/