WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SLOW GLOBAL WARMING

You don’t have to be a diplomat or a rocket scientist to do something about global warming. There are simple steps each of us can take that will go a long way toward reducing our use of energy — and hence our emissions of the greenhouse gases^A), such as carbon dioxide^B), that help produce global warming. Here are a few things each of us can do:

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy products that feature reusable, recyclable, or reduced packaging to save the energy required to manufacture new containers. By recycling all of your home’s waste newsprint, cardboard, glass, and metal, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 850 pounds annually.

Think about giving your car a day off. Consider transportation alternatives such as mass transit, car pooling, bicycling, and telecommuting. By leaving your car at home two days a week, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds per year. When you do drive, keep your car tuned up and the tires properly inflated to save on fuel costs.

Go solar. Install a solar thermal system in your home to help provide your hot water, and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about 720 pounds annually.

Plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air. Join family members, neighbors, or community service groups in planting trees in your yard, along roadways, and in parks. Trees reduce energy use when planted for shade; they also can remove 50 pounds^C) of carbon from the atmosphere in a year during photosynthesis.

Educate others. Let friends and family know about these practical, energy-saving steps they can take to save money while protecting the environment. A few simple actions on your part — but they can make a big difference^D).

By taking these measures, you could cut your annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10,000 pounds annually, almost as much as if you didn’t drive your car for a year. Why not do your part to help slow global warming and make our planet a better place for^E) ourselves and our children. You’ll be surprised at how much money you can save at the same time.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ ResourceCenterPublicationsOutreachMaterial.html#resources