The gonzales family offers an impressive example of environmental consciousness. family members turn off lights and electronics as they leave their rooms. when the family is gone for the day, the air conditioning is set at a slightly higher temperature to reduce cooling costs. mr. and mrs. gonzales use reusable grocery bags that the family stores in the pantry. a backyard garden provides more than half of the vegetables that the family consumes, and rain barrels are used to irrigate the crops.