In honor of Earth Day, we direct to you to last week's Chicago Reader cover story, in which Mick Dumke compiled a helpful list of 24 things you can do each day to lessen your environmental footprint. Included are relatively minor strategies to reduce the amount of waste you produce and conserve water, electricity, fuel, and other resources. Check it out.

Also on the list is this suggestion:

Take a minute to call or e-mail one of your elected officials.

Demand that he or she pay more attention to fossil fuel consumption, climate change, and other environmental issues. Most environmental organizations, including Environment Illinois and the state chapter of the Sierra Club, have sections of their Web sites devoted to important pending legislation.

As we noted last week, one piece of legislation that could use your support is the Illinois Clean Cars Act, which would significantly limit tailpipe emissions in the state.

The Reader also has a list of Earth Day events in the Chicagoland area.