Hard times are giving new meaning to Kermit the Frog's famous lament, "It's not easy being green."

It is only naturally that our current economic crisis has lots of us focused on our bank accounts instead of the environment. But there might be a silver lining in the dark clouds of hard economic times. Cutting back on consumption to stretch our dollars could give a boost to the environment through reduced energy consumption. What's more, style can play a part.

Green living is best achieved through small lifestyle changes, little things that could help us gain a sense of control over our budget and environment, while at the same time helping our planet. A recession could bring about an era of personal sacrifice and teach us once again how to pull together for the common good.

"It is easy to get discouraged and do nothing, perhaps believing that as individuals, our contributions back to the environment will have minimal to no impact on the larger problem," says Donna Lobosco, director of brand communications for Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer of window fashions.

"Yet the reality is that working together as a nation, the collective impact we make as individuals can be of a grand magnitude. And many of the solutions start at home. For instance, if we were to all recycle one extra can a week, it is estimated that this could provide enough energy and money to supply Alaska's electricity needs for two-plus years! It's but one example of a small, pain-free activity that results in a significant environmental benefit."

There are small changes, some even stylish, we can make that will have a significant environmental benefit. It just so happens that nearly 5 percent of all energy consumed in the United States is lost through the windows of our homes. "Effectively designed window coverings can cut that consumption in half," Lobosco says.

What homeowners need to appreciate is that the more control they can achieve over natural light, the better they can manage energy consumption. For example, people with windows facing the rising or setting sun can employ solar energy during chilly weather to help keep warm. The right shades will open to let in solar radiation during the day and then close to trap warm air at sunset when days turn chilly. Conversely, a window treatment that can be drawn closed before the summer sun starts to shine into windows can help keep rooms cool. Options are truly endless and many are inexpensive.

Shown in the photo is the living room of a New York City apartment by noted designer Celerie Kemble for House Beautiful magazine. Sunlight is controlled by shades made of natural, rapidly renewable resources like bamboo, reed and grasses.

The woven shades offer a way to screen out the strongest glare and heat, yet still allow one to sense the view beyond. Notice that just an economic hint of drapery fabric is used as a way to suggest the lushness of fabric.

Small rooms benefit greatly from window treatments that pull up and down like these woven shades because they eliminate yards and yards of fabric. When wall space is precious, people often loathe losing space to drawn draperies.

Wood blinds are another effective choice because wood is inherently insular. Other choices for vertically drawing shades come in fabric Roman shades, wooden blinds and compact honeycomb shades. The latter feature a honeycomb-like structure that traps air in the cells, thereby insulating against winter cold and summer heat.

This solution is more effective energy-wise than a room-darkening, pull-down vinyl shade because they trap air. If you can draw natural light and warmth deeper into your home through the windows it can help to reduce your heating bills. Selecting flexible and adjustable window coverings can also help control glare and limit damage to furnishings from the sun's ultra-violet rays.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Big Ideas for Small Spaces." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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