Environmental Awareness
20 Simple Steps To Fight Global Warming by Environmental Defense Action Fund
By Environmental Defense Action Fund
Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization representing more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental problems. Environmental Defense is dedicated to protecting the environmental rights of all people, including future generations. Among these rights are clean air, clean water, healthy food and flourishing ecosystems. We are guided by scientific evaluation of environmental problems, and the solutions we advocate will be based on science, even when it leads in unfamiliar directions. We work to create solutions that win lasting economic and social support because they are nonpartisan, cost-effective and fair. We recognize that low-income communities and communities of color have been disproportionately exposed to many environmental threats, and we seek answers that are equitable and just for all. As an organization based in the United States, we pay special attention to U.S. environmental problems and to America’s role in causing and solving global problems, and we aim to share our approaches internationally.

Apr 19, 2007 - 10:00:26 AM

The average American today uses enough energy to release about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide- the major contributor to global warming- per year.  Here are 20 simple steps you can take to bring your average down.

1. Urge your United States Senators to support the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act.

2. Run your dishwashwer only with a full load.  Use the energy-saving setting to dry the dishes. Don't use heat when drying.

3. Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot.

4. Turn down your water heater thermostat; 120 degrees is usually sufficent.

5. Monitor the temperature in your home.  Adjust your thermostat - lower in the winter and higher in the summer.

6. Clean or replace air filters as recommended.

7. Buy energy efficient compact flourescent bulbs for your most used lights.

8. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket (but only if the water heater is over five years old and has no internal insulation).

9. Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water.

10. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to plug air leaks.

11. Ask your utility company to conduct an energy audit to find out where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient.

12. Whenever possible, walk, bike, carpool, or use mass transit.

13. When time and budget permits, buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle- one that gets at least five more mpg than your old car.

14. Reduce waste by buying minimally packaged goods; choosing reusable products over disposable ones.

15. Request that the coolant be recycled every time your car air conditioner is serviced.

16. Insulate your walls and ceilings to save about 25% on your home heating bills.

17. If you need to replace your windows, install the best energy saving models.

18. Recycle your potentially recycable material (paper, plastics, and glass).

19. As you replace home appliances, select the most energy efficient models.

20. Sign and return your Citizen Pledge to Fight Global Warming and join Environmental Defense Action Fund.

For more information, visit www.environmentaldefense.org or call 1-800-591-1919

Some Related Articles:

Giant Ice Shelf Breaks Off From Canadian Arctic

Stephen Hawking Worried That Global Warming Will Turn Earth Into Venus

Hurricanes' Effects on Wildlife

Pollen Increases and Allergy Season Highs Due To Pollution and Global Warming

Hydrogen Cars

Helpful Links:

grist.org

idealbite.com

treehugger.com

StopGlobalWarming.org

Natural Resources Defense Council

Greenpeace on Global Warming

Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth': A Life Altering Film

Calculate your carbon dioxide output

GlobalWarming- in plain English

Global Warming- Undo It

Global Waming.org

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