One of the many pro-environment moves the Obama administration has made was to raise the fuel efficiency standard for cars and trucks made in 2011. It's about time, too. The requirements for fuel efficiency have remained unchanged since 1985.

While the auto industry works toward making more fuel-efficient vehicles for tomorrow, here are a few smart driving tips that can make a big difference today.

Carpool: According to Sustainable Works, if each commuter car carries one more passenger, an estimated 600,000 gallons of gasoline will be saved, and 12 million pounds of carbon dioxide will be kept out of the air.

Keep your tires properly inflated: The US Department of Energy says that for every 1-psi drop in pressure, you can expect your gas mileage to lower by 0.4 percent.

Combine trips: A warm engine is more efficient than a cold engine. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.

So yes, we'd love everyone to trade in their SUV's for hybrids and Honda Fit's. Until then, just drive a little smarter to be a little greener.

Sustainability takes forever. And that's the point. - William McDonoug