GreenSage E-zine 04/2008

A GreenSage Guide to Living Green:
More Easy Steps: What You Can Do about Global Warming
by Elaine Ireland & the GreenSage Team

Now that we all know that scientists are convinced that human actions are causing global warming, doesn't it make sense for us humans to shift our own actions? To take the steps that will help reduce what they are calling an ominous threat?

Americans in particular have a responsibility — and an opportunity — to solve (if that word dare so optimistically be used) this problem, to take actions and change their habits. You can help in three ways. 1)take action in your own life, 2)encourage your community to take action, and 3)influence government and policy-makers to take action.

1) Take Action in Your Own Life

• Reduce your car's fuel burn by at least 10%. Take the subway, bus, bart or other public transportation, walk, carpool, or ride a bike — any alternative to burning your current amount of gasoline. This is by far the most important thing you can do in your personal life. For every gallon of gasoline burned, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere.

• If you don't already own a highly fuel efficient car, next time you're in the market for a car, choose one that is highly fuel efficient.

• Reduce your use of other energies every day: natural gas, oil, and electricity. Its another important thing an individual can do — Reduce your use. It doesn't mean forgoing modern conveniences. It simply means making smart choices to use energy-efficient products and use them consciously. The American per capita emissions of heat-trapping gases is 5.6 tons — more than double the amount of western Europeans. Everyone in your household can take on one or two responsibilities. For example, one person checks to see computers are off and unplugged. Another can ensure the thermostat is turned down at night in the colder months, up in the summer months. Another person makes sure compact flourescents are in the appropriate light fixtures, another turns off lights in unoccupied rooms, maybe someone wants to take on drying laundry on a laundry line outside.

•When purchasing wood products, buy sustainable. Check for labels that indicate the source of the timber, such as FSC Certified. Supporting forests that are managed sustainably helps biodiversity and store carbon effectively.

•Plant a tree. Trees planted in and around urban areas and residences provide shade in the summer, reduce energy use and can lower your energy bills. Check out our story, Let's Plant One Billion More Trees in 2008!' Get a group in your neighborhood together and contact your local urban forester like 'Friends of the Urban Forest,' about planting trees on private property and public land.

•Check out our other helpful actions in last October's issue, Easy Steps, Encouraging Homeowners on Their Energy Savings

2) Encourage Your Community To Take Action

Find out who in your community has influence or responsibilities that can lead to energy efficiency and use of clean energy. Maybe that's even you!

• Encourage your local electric utilities company to promote energy efficiency and the use of clean, renewable energy sources, particularly replacing energy they get from coal-burning. Why? Power plants are the single largest factor in climate change pollution in the U.S.

• Request that public buildings be leading models of energy efficiency by reducing current usage. Suggest they create an educational program, using their energy-efficient ideas to encourage others.

• Inspire them to incorporate passive-solar technologies in any new community construction or remodeling projects.

• Urge your public buildings (libraries, businesses, government and religious buildings) to install bike racks.

• Promote community carpooling plans and the designation of bike lanes.

• Petition to change local zoning ordinances and other regulations that involve energy use.

3) Influence Government and Policy-makers

You can help the United States take on a leadership role in addressing global warming.

• Let policymakers know you are concerned about global warming. They need to hear from you.

• Write to everyone of influence — your local newspapers, your mayor, governor, state legislators, and public utility regulators to promote energy efficiency, nonpolluting transportation alternatives, and a policy to shift to clean, renewable sources of energy — especially solar and wind power.

• Write to the President's office (let him know that you expect him to take a leadership position on this issue), your congressional representative and senators (for leadership and to support actions that address any significant issues around emissions of heat-trapping gases). Simply tell them you want them to set policy that will push industry to protect the future health of the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

• Sign up for the Union of Concerned Scientists Action Network to ensure that policymakers get the timely, accurate information they need to make informed decisions about global warming solutions.