Jonathan Takiff: Go green with these new gadgets

THE GIZMO: How'd you celebrate the Earth this month? We've been checking out new products that use precious resources more responsibly, saving our planet one gizmo at a time.

IT'S A GAS (HYBRID): Love the petrol-sipping charms of the Toyota Prius hybrid, though not its relatively compact proportions? Maybe you'll be won over by the Prius V, now making the rounds of car shows and coming to dealers late summer. That's if Toyota can get its earthquake-shaken Japanese parts suppliers and assembly lines running at peak volume again.

Although just 1 inch wider (69.9 inches) and 6 inches longer (181.7 inches) than the standard Prius, the V's squared-off hatchback rear raises the roof line and helps increase cargo volume by almost 60 percent. The numbers presume its reclining rear seats are fully flopped down.

In a recent once-over of a preproduction Prius V, I also was impressed by the new Entune Multimedia System. And especially its instant access (via a free SiriusXM satellite data stream) to custom information.

The less aerodynamic, slightly larger V gets 40 mpg overall vs. 50 for the sedan version.

SAVE WATER: In the early flower-power daze of Earth Day, exponents liked to exclaim, "Save water, shower with a friend!" Today we've got alternatives that don't put the squeeze on.

Plumbing-fixture maker Moen has lowered the output of select new faucets and showerheads to deliver up to a 30 percent water-flow reduction from the industry standard of 2.5 gallons per minute. Moen's Nurture showerhead offers three lever-controlled settings and sells for $29.98 in fixed showerhead and $39.98 in handheld showerhead versions. Available in chrome or matte silver finish at Lowe's.

Garden stores promote capturing and recycling water in rain barrels. But when you connect a garden hose to the faucet at the barrel's bottom and open the valve, the water just dribbles out. Attach the new, eco-friendly Rain Perfect pump system, though, and you can extract water with enough pressure to run a sprinkler or wash the car. Backed by ITT, the Rain Perfect system includes a battery-powered pump charged up by a companion solar panel that can pump up to 100 gallons off a single charge. $139, www.rainperfectpump.com.