What can you do?

Take an active approach: Being content that you possess this knowledge is not enough—personal knowledge alone will make absolutely no difference. How can you be pro-active?

1. Engage people on this issue and try to persuade! Education is our greatest asset. The more people there are who choose apathy/ignorance, the longer it will take to exact change, and the greater the risk we face. Be an ambassador to friends, relatives, coworkers etc.
2. Support policies that seek solutions to this problem and/or write to your representatives: Corporations need incentive to change their policies (e.g. a car company may refuse to produce hybrid cars because they have no guarantee that people will buy them, but if they do not produce them obviously no one can buy them) but without political support for nationwide policies that promote energy efficient practices and products, change will come more slowly than we need.
3. Use Less Energy: The following are all important and relatively simple personal changes, and as more and more people change, we can revolutionize our energy consumption and promote energy-efficient business practices and products (which lowers prices of these products for the consumer)
• Lights:
• Energy-efficient light bulbs: ¼ energy of standard bulbs with same light output
• Pay Attention! Turn off lights/appliances unless necessary, remove light bulbs in already well-lit areas
• Transport:
• Don’t drive! Walk, bike, or take public transportation when available
• Hybrid vehicles: up to 70% reduction in fuel use, carbon emissions; additional purchase-price cost (vs. standard car) may be offset by fuel cost savings after 5 years
• Smaller vehicles: not as beneficial as hybrid vehicles, but cut emissions as well
• Reduce Water Use: 1/9 of developed-world CO2 emissions come from heating water alone!
• Low-flow showerhead: Reduces flow rate to conserve hot water
• Appliance Modes: Check if there is a water-saver mode and avoid using hot-water modes unless necessary
• Pay Attention! Keep water pressure low to wash hands, dishes etc.; turn off water while brushing teeth, between dishes while dishwashing
• Energy-Efficient Appliances: major emission cuts, especially air conditioners/refrigerators
• Avoid Unnecessary Heating/Air-Conditioning Use:
• Install new windows: updating insulation can result in major energy savings
• “Room Temperature”: lower it during winter and raise it during summer
• Ask your energy provider: “Green power” option (alternative energy source) possibility
4. Inquire at the workplace: Is your business/workplace making strides to conserve energy?
5. Find a well-informed environmental group: They can guide you to other means of exacting change in your community

Change your lifestyle: (from "The Horrors of Global Warming" halloweeen demonstration)

It's really easy... Run the dishwasher only when it's full. Buy recycled paper. Remove all but one digital clock in each room of your house. Shop at local food markets. Avoid using or buying products with lots of packaging. Carpool. Or use public transportation. Or walk. Unplug your stereo when you are not using it. Unplug your microwave. Unplug your cell phone charger. And your ipod charger. (Even when turned off, electronic devices use energy) Wear a big sweater and slippers instead of turning up the heat. Air dry your clothes. Turn off the water when you are drying dishes. Avoid paying for disposable coffee cups and water bottles. Bring a cloth bag to the grocery store. Eat organic food. Inflate your tires. Put your computer on sleep mode. Do not use screensavers or away messages. Save over $100 per year in energy consumption by... Replacing lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which only cost $1 each. Moving the thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two degrees in the winter. Taking shorter showers. Replacing old appliances with energy star labeled products that are more energy efficient. Caulking and weather-striping your doorways and windows. Installing a low-flow showerhead. You or your parents buying a hybrid car. Turning off the lights.

How else can you get involved? Check out how technology can help to mitigate climate change.

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