Earth Day action guide. You can do it.

Here are 12 more things you can do to help the planet. . . .

1. Start a recycling program. Members of the Future Farmers of America in Morgan County, Georgia, started the first recycling center in their county. In one year, they collected more than 300,000 pounds of recyclables that would otherwise have been thrown away. The crew used proceeds from selling the recyclable goods to start an environmental study center behind their school. Now they help educate younger kids about taking care of the environment (see photo, above).

2. Think about the environment when you shop. Try to buy recycled products and items that don't come in a lot of packaging. And carry your purchases home in your own reusable bag.

3. Recycle motor oil. Students in Portland, Maine, recently conducted a survey to see what happened to motor oil in their city. They found out that a lot of it was not getting recycled, even though a motor-oil company was willing to recycle all of it. The students started a Motor Oil Pollution Prevention campaign called "MOPP It Up" to get people to recycle motor oil. They used brochures, posters, and a video to get their message across. Motor-oil recycling in the city has roughly doubled as a result (see group photo, right).

4. Use fewer chemicals at home. When you pitch in with household chores, try substituting environmentally friendly cleansers such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice for harsher cleaning products. For example, use a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water to clean bathroom tiles. Full strength vinegar will clean bathroom grout, faucet handles, and drains.

5. Write about the environment. Global Response puts out a monthly newsletter, Eco-Club Action, which pinpoints environmental emergencies around the world. They encourage you to write letters urging political leaders or companies to care for the environment. A $9 donation is requested for a year's subscription. Also, ask for the free book, The Eco-Club Environmental Activist Guide, which gives ideas on how to start an eco-club, how to run an effective meeting, and how to organize and publicize environmental events. Write to:

Global Response

P.O. Box 7490

Boulder, CO 80306-7490

6. Use alternative transportation. Walk, bike, skateboard, or use public transportation instead of catching a ride in a car. If you must drive, try carpooling with friends. You'll help keep the air clean by reducing car exhaust and help protect water from gas and oil runoff.

7. Organize a hunger-awareness event. Students in Las Vegas, Nevada, recently waged a weeklong "Hunger War." Some students skipped lunch for a day and donated the money they would have spent. Others collected pledges to fast for 10 hours. They raised more than $12,700 to help fight hunger and homelessness, and collected 2,115 cans of food for their county food bank. For tips on how to organize a fast at your school, write or call:

Oxfam America

26 West St.

Boston, MA 02111 - 1206

(800) 597-FAST

8. Save water. Take shorter showers and don't leave the water running when brushing your teeth. Use the dishwasher only for full loads. When hand washing dishes, have a dishpan for washing and a dishpan for rinsing instead of letting the water run.

9. Save energy. Turn off the lights, TV, and other appliances when you're not using them.

10. Sponsor a coral reef. Your $35 donation supports the study of coral reefs, lobbying, and education efforts for reef protection. Write or call:

Rescue the Reef Program

The Nature Conservancy

1815 North Lynn St.

Arlington, VA 22209

(800) 84-ADOPT

11. Learn more about the environment. Read about the science behind environmental issues. Watch environmental television programs. Write to, call, and join an environmental group (see list, next page).

12. Get out and enjoy nature. Enjoy the cleaner environment you're helping to create. Share your enthusiasm with others.