Americans use an almost unbelievable amount of power. Most of that comes from nonrenewable sources. Beyond switching to solar or wind power for your home, there are some things you can do to minimize your carbon footprint on a daily basis. If you are looking for things you can do right now to reduce your ecological impact, try including a few of these simple strategies into your regular routine. 

1. Rethink Transportation

Modern transportation methods contribute an outsized portion of greenhouse gasses to the environment. This is problematic, sure, but it also gives you an easy way to lower your carbon footprint.

Evaluate your traveling patterns for a start. Can you combine trips to the store instead of running out every time you need something? Keep a running list that you can add to throughout the week, then make a single trip on a designated day. Make sure everyone in the house knows to keep the list updated. 

If you want to cut back even further, start using human-powered transportation for trips that are a mile or less. Put on a backpack and walk to the corner store or a basket to your bicycle for small grocery trips. If it's time to buy a new car, look at electric and hybrid options. They come in every body style and new models have impressive ranges before needing to recharge. 

While the most popular cars in America may mostly be trucks and SUVs, this is not the time to keep up with the Joneses. In fact, forget about them altogether. Embrace alternative fuels for vehicles to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions. Who knows, maybe you'll start a new trend in your neighborhood. If nothing else, you'll save a bundle by not stopping at the gas station every week. 

Some transportation is beyond your control. If you are planning to fly for work or pleasure, ask about purchasing carbon credits to offset the impact of your trip. If it's an option, look into rail travel as an alternative. 

2. Conserve Water

Water may not seem directly linked to your carbon footprint, but oceans absorb a huge amount of carbon dioxide produced. You want to help keep them safe and healthy. The act of treating, purifying and distributing water to households means that the water cycle has its own carbon footprint. 

Try simple strategies to conserve water during everyday activities. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, only run the dishwasher when it is full, and shorten showers when you can. 

Think about what you put into the water, too. Soaps, cleaners, and harsh chemicals can all end up in waterways. Look for safe, natural alternatives that won't harm aquatic wildlife or plants. 

3. Make Sustainable Food Choices

That steak on your plate required a huge input of energy to get there. Roughly 10 percent of the energy used in the U.S. is devoted to food production. This gives you plenty of opportunities to lower your carbon footprint by making sustainable food choices. 

Start by focusing on plant-based foods that are grown using sustainable methods. This means fewer chemicals, less fuel, and less of a negative environmental impact. 

Then think about processing factors. Each step that your food goes through to go from the farm to your table requires an input of energy. Less processed foods are not only better for your health, but they are also usually better for the environment. 

Buying locally-produced foods takes even more energy out of the process by reducing long-distance transportation. Plus, it supports a local family in your own community. 

4. Reduce Your Waste

Practice the three Rs of waste reduction: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Find ways to repurpose items you no longer use. Sell or donate outgrown clothing or household goods. When you need to replace things, look at second-hand options before shopping for new ones. Better yet, ask yourself if you could do without. 

Recycling can get somewhat complicated. Check with the company that picks up your trash, or at a local recycling facility about what you can and can't include in your recycling bin. Use a composter to turn food scraps into usable fertilizer and soil conditioner. 

The best strategies will be ones you will adopt as regular habits. After all, it doesn't matter how good your intentions are if you don't consistently act on them.