Walking or riding a bike can reduce emissions by 20 pounds

World Wildlife Fund

Endangered Polar  Bears  global  warming

Walking or riding a bike can reduce emissions by 20 pounds for every gallon of gasoline used.

© WWF-Canon / Michel GUNTHER

Did you know that the United States is the world's single largest contributor to global warming, with average annual emissions of 19.6 tons per person?  That is nearly five times the world average of 3.9 tons per person. The impacts of climate change are too great to ignore, and we must do everything in our power to protect our future.

It clearly is time for all Americans to roll up their sleeves, to take steps to reduce emissions, to prepare for climate change, and to encourage others to do the same. Start with a few quick and easy steps.

Quick and Easy

1. Check lights. Identify frequently used light fixtures that use incandescent bulbs; order fluorescent replacements bulbs
2. Check the temperature setting on your water-heater. Reduce the setting to 120°F (typically the “warm” setting; or halfway between the low and medium settings), if it is not already set to that temperature.
3. Check the settings on your appliances. Where the option is available – and is not already selected -- select the energy-saving setting on your refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine and other major appliances.
4. Check your thermostat settings. During the heating season, set the thermostat lower, especially at night or when rooms are unoccupied. During the cooling season, set the temperatures higher. If you have a programmable thermostat you can automate the daily settings.
5. Check showerheads and faucets. Determine whether any of your showerheads are models that use more than 2.5 gallons per minute. If so, order low-flow showerheads. Similarly, verify that your bathroom and kitchen water faucets have aerators. Order an aerator for each faucet that does not have one and that can accommodate one. These steps will reduce your use of hot water – and your use of energy to heat that water.
6. Turn off appliances that you are not using. Switch off TVs, computers, lights, etc. that are not being used and unplug items on “standby” (that use electricity even when not being used) , including TVs, video and audio systems, computers, and chargers (for cell-phones and other electronic equipment).
7. Check car tires for proper inflation. This can improve gas mileage. The appropriate air pressure typically is listed on the door-pillar on the driver’s side, on the inside of the glove-compartment door or in the vehicle manual.
8. Write a letter to one of your elected representatives at the local, state or Federal level. Tell them you believe climate change is important; and that you support the development and implementation of a climate action plan to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change impacts 

Climate Change Pledges
To reduce your emissions further and to better prepare for climate change, pledge to do one or more of the following

1. Learn more about your carbon emissions. There is much more you can do to reduce your household carbon emissions. Find out more about your emissions and where you can best reduce them by using an online “carbon calculator.” See the list maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
2. Commute by carpooling or using mass transit. Over a quarter of the vehicle-miles travelled by households are for commuting to and from work – usually with one person in the vehicle. Carpooling and mass transit are among options that offer big reductions in carbon emissions.
3. Plan and combine trips. A lot of driving involves frequent trips nearby, to go shopping or run errands, for example. Plan and combine trips to reduce the miles you need to travel. Better yet, take someone with you so they can leave their car behind.
4. Replace your vehicle with one with better mileage. For details go to http://www.greenercars.org/ or http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do
5. Drive more efficiently. In particular, observe speed limits, avoid rapid acceleration and excessive breaking. Don’t drive aggressively.
6. Switch to “green power.” Switch to electricity generated by energy sources with low – or no – routine emissions of carbon dioxide. Contact your electricity provider to find out about the “green power” options available to you. 
7. Insulate and seal your apartment or house. This will reduce emissions associated with both heating and cooling, two of the largest sources of residential carbon emissions.
8. Replace older appliances with high-efficiency units
9. Learn more about the potential impacts of climate change on your region.
10. Learn more about potential weather-related emergencies in your area. Find out how you can reduce your vulnerability and how you can respond to each kind of emergency. Find out too about the plans government agencies may have in place.

Where can we go for more information?
In addition to the World Wildlife Fund’s Web site see the following sites for additional information:

• American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy > Consumer Resources
   http://www.aceee.org/Consumer/
• Climate Ark > Climate Change and Global Warming Portal > News and Archives
  http://www.climateark.org/news/
• Climate Connections.  From National Public Radio and National Geographic.
  http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9657621 
• Pew Center on Global Climate Change > Global Warming Basics
  http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-basics 
• Union of Concerned Scientists > Global Warming
  http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/
• U.S. Department of Energy > Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy > Consumer’s Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security > Ready Campaign. 
  http://www.ready.gov/
  Seeks to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to all kinds of emergencies.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency > Climate Change http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
  See especially section on What You Can Do: