Wisconsin's history is rich with efforts to honor the planet we live on, including the founding of Earth Day by our state's former governor, Gaylord Nelson, on April 22, 1970.

Twenty million Americans made history that day by attending the innaugural event, and Racine residents will continue such traditions this month with a series of Earth Day related events ranging from a family-oriented Eco Fair to a variety of public work projects designed to improve and protect our environment (see accompanying stories on this page and Page 2D for details).

Meanwhile, here are 10 simple, money-saving steps each of us can take throughout the year to help preserve the planet for generations to come and keep the legacy of Earth Day alive.

1. Every drop counts

Reducing household water consumption will not only help conserve natural resources, but will soften the recent rate increase set by the Racine Water Utility (rates went up

19.5 percent at the end of March). Start with simple steps - such as turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth - and work your way up to repairing leaky faucets. One faucet, dripping 60 drips per minute all day long adds up to five gallons of water per day (2,082 per year), according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Installing a low-flow shower head can significantly reduce the amount of hot water used. A family of four, each showering five minutes a day, uses about 500 gallons per week, and that amount can be cut in half with a water-conserving shower head, according to: http://www.energystar.gov

2. Unplug your life

Even when they are not turned on, appliances that are plugged in are using electricity. From air conditioners to VCRs, many appliances cannot be turned completely off unless they are unplugged, and therefore are drawing "stand-by" power as long as they are plugged in.

The amount consumed by each appliance may not be much, but when you add all the energy used by billions of appliances across the country each day, the amount is substantial. To see how much power your television, stereo system, internet terminal and microwave are using, even when you aren't using them, go to: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/appliances.html

3. Reuse (and recycle)

Recycling may already be a way of life, but reusing things saves even more energy and money. In addition to buying second-hand items, consumers should look into repairing an appliance rather than replacing it. In doing so you can keep goods out of the waste stream, reduce strain on valuable resources, create less air and water pollution, save purchase and disposal costs, and more, according to: http://www.care2.com/greenliving

4. Park the car

Walking or biking to work not only reduces your gas and parking bills but improves cardiovascular health. If you don't have a bike, try carpooling or taking mass transportation. Those options may not strengthen your heart, but they can eliminate the stress of traffic jams.

5. Let there be lightAnd let it be made with CFLs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs, according to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

If every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 800,000 cars. For more, go to: http://www.energystar.gov

6. Eat smart

Even the foods we choose can make a difference. Eating locally produced food is not only good for you it is good for the environment and the economy, according to supporters of green living.

Buying food grown by local farmers saves transportation fuel costs and emissions, and more of your money goes directly to the farmer, rather than to processing, packaging, refrigeration and marketing.

7. Clean green

Take stock of the chemical cleaning agents used in your home. While some are necessary, chemical cleaning products can pose health and environmental concerns. according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA offers a lot of information about greening the purchase of cleaning products on its Web site at http://www.epa.gov, including the advice that trade-offs are inevitable.

While one product may be made with renewable resources, another may have a lower VOC content. "The overall best value takes into account performance, price, availability, regulatory requirements, and environmental impact."

8. Cool down

Simply changing your washer setting from hot to cold can save energy and money. As much as 90 percent of the cost of washing clothes by machine goes toward heating the water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Unless you're dealing with oily stains, the warm or cold water setting on your machine will generally do a good job of cleaning your clothes, the USDE says, and by switching the temperature setting from hot to warm you can cut a load's energy use in half.

9. Borrowing vs. buying

A library book, for example, is not only free, it reduces the amount of paper and ink used. The public library is also a great resource for borrowing CDs, DVDs and, in the case of some children's libraries, puppets and games.

Occasional-use items, such as power tools, are items that can either be borrowed from neighbors, or rented. And, if you feel uncomfortable borrowing from neighbors and friends, offer a trade of some item, or some service, that they might need.

10. Don't toss that phone

The electronic components in cell phones, computers, etc., are harmful to the environment when put in a landfill. Recycling them is the best option and there are often non profit agencies that can benefit from collecting them and recycling them. Today ends is National Cell Phone Recycling Week. Go to: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/cellphone/index.htm

Editor's Note: What do you do to make every day Earth Day? Post your suggestions or tried-and-true eco-friendly efforts below.