we’d still choose a mug over a mountain of foam cups any day.

Q Short of not driving, how can I save
money on gas?

A You can improve fuel efficiency by keeping your tires properly inflated, by getting regular tune-ups and by turning off the engine instead of allowing it to idle for a minute or longer. Being polite also helps: Tailgating and pushing full-throttle between stoplights waste gas. For more tips, click here.

Q I’ve been dating Mr. Right for three weeks
and just discovered he owns a gas-guzzling
truck. Is there any hope for our relationship?

A Yes, absolutely. There’s nothing like the power of love to persuade. Start with baby steps—a date at an organic restaurant or a bike ride through the park. The key is to show him the upside of earth-friendly living as you slowly convert him. No eco-nagging, please. If Mr. Dreamboat works in a field that requires a truck, refer him to the Edmunds listing of fuel-efficient trucks for his next purchase. Remember that truck ownership is a touchy subject for some men.

Q I love scents. Should I be worried about
the petrochemicals used in air fresheners
and scented candles?

A Indoor air pollutants build up during the winter, and petrochemical products are primary contributors. Petroleum-based products are not earth-friendly in their

manufacture, use or disposal. And the chemicals in synthetic scents (including perfumes) can be damaging to your health, causing symptoms from headaches to central nervous system disorders. Our advice? Use baking soda for odor absorption, pure essential oils for fresh scents and beeswax candles instead of paraffin.

Q I may have to auction off my Prius to
pay the gas bill this winter. How can I reduce
heating costs?

A This winter is going to be tough. Stores are already reporting shortages of firewood and wood pellets as consumers turn to gas alternatives. Put on a sweater and hat before you bump up the thermostat, and heat only the rooms you use. Open curtains and blinds to sunny windows during the day to make use of solar heat. Winterize your home: Caulk leaky cracks, install weather-stripping, improve insulation and replace furnace filters. The EPA has more heat-saving tips.

Q How can I find a green dry cleaner?

A Conventional clothing dry cleaning requires perchloroethylene, a solvent that is harmful to your health and the environment. Two non-perc alternatives are rapidly replacing this suspected carcinogen: carbon dioxide and a silicone-based solvent called GreenEarth. To find a green cleaner near you, call around locally or use one of these online directories: Hangers Cleaners or GreenEarth.

IS THERE AN EARTH-IMPACT QUESTION YOU’VE BEEN PONDERING? ASK SHARON AT SHARON@GREENLIGHTMAG.COM.

Should I buy farmed or wild salmon?

A For both your health and the ocean’s health, choose wild salm-

on. Farmed salmon has very high levels of PCBs and other carcin-

ogens. (European farmed fish had the highest PCB levels in a

2004 study; fish raised in Washington State and Chile had signifi-

cantly lower levels.) Fish-farming pesticides, antibiotics and

wastes end up in ocean waters, making farmed salmon an earth-

unfriendly choice. Because of toxins, experts suggest no more

than one serving of farmed salmon per month; young children

and pregnant or nursing women should avoid it altogether.