Take a look. It begins:

When I sat down to write my Blog Action Day post, I tried to figure out what the “environment” has to do with some of the main themes of Zen Habits: simplicity, frugality, health and fitness, happiness. In what way are these ideas related to the environment?

And then I realized: in every way.

When I tried to come up with some of the best ways that people could help the environment, I started to realize that every single one of these things will not only help the environment, but help our lives in so many other ways.

Helping the environment not only saves the planet, but makes us more frugal … makes our lives simpler … helps us get fitter … and helps us to be happier.

Let’s take a look at how. Here are some of my favorite ways to help the environment, and how it relates to the main topics of Zen Habits.

1. Get outdoors more. Go outside, take a walk through nature, hike through a forest or park or up a mountain, take a swim in a lake or river or ocean, explore, observe wildlife.

• How this helps the environment: The first step in doing something about the environment is getting to know it better. Awareness is crucial — without knowing what we’re saving, we won’t care much about it. And these days, many of us are so isolated from the outside world that when we hear about the destruction of our environment, it’s an abstract concept. Make nature important to you, and you’ll do something about it.
• How this saves money: Going outside costs very little. It certainly costs less than spending your time at a mall, or a restaurant, or at the movies, or an amusement park.
• How this gets you fitter: Well, this one’s a little obvious, but I’ll say it anyway … getting outside and walking around is infinitely better for your health than sitting at home watching TV, surfing the Internet, riding in a car, eating at a restaurant. Swimming? Hiking up a mountain? Taking a walk through a park? Doing some yardwork? All great exercise. Do this for a year, and you’ll be fitter than ever.
• How this simplifies your life: Getting outside and communing with nature is much less stressful than the hustle and bustle of traffic, cities, work places. Finding time to get outside will take you away from stress, and allow you time to think. It will make your life saner, simpler, less complex.
• How this makes you happier: Well, this isn’t a guarantee, but I’ve always found myself happier when I get outside. Watch a sunset with loved ones, have a picnic, go for a hike with your family … this is just so much better for you, mentally and otherwise, than modern life, that it would be hard not to be happier after getting outdoors.

More at the link.