An extra hour of sun

It's not technically spring yet, but most of the U.S. sprang forward this past Sunday anyway. Daylight saving time (DST) started on March 9 this year, thanks to the changes brought about by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Not everyone agrees that DST really saves much energy. As I mentioned when we fell back last November, studies in the 1970s suggested huge energy savings, but more recent savings looked much smaller.

Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported on a University of California-Santa Barbara study of Indiana households that showed DST actual cost raised electricity bills instead of lowering them.

The conclusion was that reducing lighting needs were offset by higher air-conditioning and heating needs. Then again, I wonder about more moderate climates -- few people I know here in California have AC, and we rarely have mornings cold enough to require a heater.

Regardless, the law right now is to set the clock an hour ahead. So why not take advantage of an extra hour of daylight in the evening?

Here are some great green things to do with the sunny time:

• Use Walkscore to find new restaurants, cafes, shops, parks, and services that are within walking distance of your home or office. Check out a different place each week.


• Take your dog for a walk -- and make sure to bring a supply of BioBags for the inevitable trail Fido will leave behind. BioBags are "plastic" bags made from starch and are 100% biodegradable and compostable (unlike standard plastics that are made from oil).


• Water your plants and make sure you're giving them the just the right amount.


• Go for a bike ride, either solo or take a friend, spouse, or the kids. Looking for bike rentals or help with repairs? Cruise through this directory of community bike programs.


• Wash your car and clean out the inside. Carrying around junk in the trunk reduces your gas mileage significantly. Make sure to use an earth-friendly, biodegradable cleaner (I like Simple Green) on the outside, so any water runoff into the storm drains won't pollute.


• Channel your old scouting days and carve a willow whistle.


• Plan a microdrip irrigation system for a larger garden. You'll save water and probably money too in the long run.


• String up a clothesline so you can start drying some of your clothes outside this year. Even if the weather isn't great right now, the heat will be on soon enough. Then you'll save money (and energy) by taking advantage of free sunshine.


• Tee off at an Audubon-certified golf course (PDF). These are doubly green greens because they protect water quality and provide wildlife habitats, according to the environmental organization.

Get outside and enjoy the extra sunshine!