Can you believe that we are already getting into the warmer month? It almost seems like the other day when we were dealing with a major snow storm. Oh wait, Stephen Troese Jr. and others who live in the Northeast did actually experience a nor’easter last week. And the week before that. And the week before that.

Nevertheless, opening day is tomorrow, which means Spring is here and the dog days of summer are sure to follow. When Stephen Troese Jr. is not watching the Washington Nationals take a commanding lead in the N.L East, he will be doing everything he can take to take advantage of the warm weather.

As someone who cares about the environment, Stephen Troese Jr. says you can spend your time this spring and summer working on ways to lower your carbon footprint. The weather presents a few opportunities and challenges that will affect how you interact with your environment. Here are a few tips Stephen Troese Jr. would recommend:

Use Your Air Conditioner Sparingly: While your air conditioner will provide you with instant relief, please know that air conditioners do require a whole lot of energy. You will know this when you see your first summertime electric bill. Try to use your air conditioner only when you absolutely need it to reduce your carbon footprint. It might be a good idea to service your air conditioner before the season starts so you can optimize its performance and reduce its energy use.

Grow a Garden: Did you know that a large amount of energy is used to ship food from the farms to your local grocery store? If you’ve never grown a garden before, it’s a fun and easy way to get your hands dirty and grow food in the most sustainable way possible. You’ll be able to avoid harmful pesticides, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy. Stephen Troese Jr. grows cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, kale, and many other vegetables in his garden that allows him to take a fewer trips to the grocery store.

Bike and Walk When You Can: Obviously, if you live far away from others you may not be able to do this, but if you can, try to bike, walk, or use public transportation whenever you can to avoid using other modes of transportation that use more energy. You might even lose a few pounds doing it, making it a win-win.