| You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, | | | | florescent bulbs are designed to provide more |
| which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy | | | | natural-looking light while using far less energy than |
| more wisely. Here are 10 simple actions you can take | | | | standard light bulbs.Avoid products that come with |
| to help reduce global warming. | | | | excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other |
| 1) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | | | | packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your |
| Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable | | | | household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 |
| products instead of disposables. Buying products with | | | | pounds of carbon dioxide annually. |
| minimal packaging (including the economy size when | | | | 6) Use Less Hot Water |
| that makes sense for you) will help to reduce waste. | | | | Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, |
| And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, | | | | and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 |
| newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a | | | | years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot |
| recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your | | | | water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. |
| community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of | | | | Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce |
| your household waste, you can save 2,400 pounds of | | | | your use of hot water and the energy required to |
| carbon dioxide annually. | | | | produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 |
| 2) Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning | | | | pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. |
| Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing | | | | Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher |
| weather stripping or caulking around doors and | | | | and let the dishes air-dry. |
| windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 | | | | 7) Use the "Off" Switch |
| percent, by reducing the amount of energy you need | | | | Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning |
| to heat and cool your home. | | | | off lights when you leave a room, and using only as |
| Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or | | | | much light as you need. And remember to turn off |
| away during the day, and keep temperatures | | | | your television, video player, stereo and computer |
| moderate at all times. Setting your thermostat just 2 | | | | when you're not using them. |
| degrees lower in winter and higher in summer could | | | | It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're |
| save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. | | | | not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the |
| 3) Change a Light Bulb | | | | dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you |
| Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with | | | | actually need it for rinsing. You'll reduce your water bill |
| compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just | | | | and help to conserve a vital resource. |
| one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will | | | | 8) Plant a Tree |
| save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last | | | | If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. |
| 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds | | | | During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb |
| less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat. | | | | carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an |
| If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with | | | | integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange |
| a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of | | | | cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to |
| greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars | | | | fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by |
| off the road. | | | | automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human |
| 4) Drive Less and Drive Smart | | | | activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one |
| Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving | | | | ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. |
| gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of | | | | 9) Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company |
| exercise. Explore your community's mass transit | | | | Many utility companies provide free home energy |
| system, and check out options for carpooling to work | | | | audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes |
| or school. | | | | that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility |
| When you do drive, make sure your car is running | | | | companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the |
| efficiently. For example, keeping your tires properly | | | | cost of energy-efficient upgrades. |
| inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 | | | | 10) Encourage Others to Conserve |
| percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps | | | | Share information about recycling and energy |
| your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide | | | | conservation with your friends, neighbors and |
| out of the atmosphere. | | | | co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public |
| 5) Buy Energy-Efficient Products | | | | officials to establish programs and policies that are |
| When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that | | | | good for the environment. |
| offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come | | | | These 10 steps will take you a long way toward |
| in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact | | | | reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. |