World warming and things to do

Less Heat and Air Conditioning

Set your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer will save about 2,000 pounds of CO2 in year.

Reuse, Recycle

Reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposable things. If recycling half of your household waste, you save 2,500 pounds of CO2 annually.

Change a Light Bulb

Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.

Drive Less and Smart

Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school.

Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget, it also keeps 20 pounds of CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Energy-Efficient Products

If you need to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs.

Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

Less Hot Water

Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water will reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry.

While brushing your teeth, wash the dog or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing. You'll reduce your water bill and help to save a vital resource.

Plant a Tree

During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. A single tree can absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

Encourage Others to Conserve

Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.