10 Ways to Reduce Global Warming

Are there any solutions we can act upon as individuals to reduce global warming?

If you believe that global warming is a topic to be concerned about, there are things you can do. In fact, here are 10 things you can do now to help reduce global warming.

1. Recycle, reuse, or reduce - Stop buying disposable products. Purchase only reusable items. Buy items that have the minimum of packaging, or purchase items in the economy size. Recycle paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum cans. Reducing your household waste by recycling or reusing items may help reduce carbon dioxide gases by 2,400 pounds annually.

2. Cut down on heating and air conditioning - Did you know that by adjusting your thermostat by 2 degrees, you can save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide yearly? You can reduce your need to run the heater and air conditioner by caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows, adding insulation in the walls and attics of your home, and closing vents in rooms that are not being used. This may also save you up to 25% on your heating and cooling bills each year.

3. Change your light bulbs - Replace incandescent light bulbs with new compact fluorescent light bulbs. You can save yourself up to $30 over the life of the fluorescent bulb by replacing a single 60-watt regular bulb. One report stated that if every family in the United States would replace just one incandescent bulb with one of the newer fluorescent bulbs, it would equal taking 7.5 million cars off the highways. That means 90 million pounds of carbon dioxide wouldn't reach the atmosphere.

4. Plan your trip - If you must drive, plan your trip. Combine as many errands into one trip as possible. Walk or ride your bike on errands that are close by. If these are not options, check into starting a carpool and share a ride. You keep 20 pounds of carbon dioxide from reaching the atmosphere for each and every gallon of gasoline you don't use.

5. Energy-efficient products are the way to go - Choose a new car that gives you the best gas mileage as possible, but still meets your needs. Energy-efficient appliances also help, not only your budget, but the environment as well. Reduce your family's garbage by 10 percent and you've saved up to 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

6. Take a cooler shower - By reducing the temperature on your water heater and wrapping it in insulation, you can save up to 350 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year's time. Lowering your water heater to 120 degrees will also save energy and possibly keep someone from getting burned. Washing your clothes in warm or cold water, rather than hot all the time, also helps to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. In this case, you would have saved at least an additional 500 pounds. Use the energy-saving setting on your dishwasher and allow dishes to air-dry.

7. Turn your lights off - Turn off all lights in rooms that are not occupied. Don't leave your television, radio, computer, or stereo going when no one is in the room. If you're not using it, make sure the water is turned off all they way. Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth, and turn it on only when needed.

8. Plant a tree - With all of the trees that have been cut down, planting a tree is a great idea. Not only will it absorb carbon dioxide, it will produce oxygen for us to breathe. One tree, over its lifetime, will absorb about one ton (2,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide. The more trees you plant, the better the environment will be for it!

9. Check with your utility company - Many utility companies will come out and do a home energy audit for free. They will help you determine which areas in your home are wasting energy and will give you hints on what you can do to make changes to stop the waste.

10. Tell others to conserve - Share information about conserving resources and recycling where possible. Speak with local officials to encourage them to start new conservation programs in your hometown.