Apologies for multilple copies of this email




http://www.blogforiowa.com/blog/_archives/2007/12/7/3394972.html





The Most Important Things


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By Mike Carberry 



                As I travel the state of Iowa either promoting renewable energy or fighting global warming, I am constantly asked what are the most important things that we can do to solve the huge problem of climate change. There are many things that we can do both individually and as a group to fight global warming. Here are ten easy ones.

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging will help to reduce waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. If there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your community, ask about starting one. 

2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower your heating costs more than 25 percent. Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times. 

3. Change a Light Bulb
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Replacing just one 60-watt incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.



4. Drive Less and Drive Smart



Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your community's mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work or school. When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. 



5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products



When its time to buy a new car, choose one that offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. 


6. Use Less Hot Water
Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. Use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry. 

7. Use the "Off" Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them. 

8. Plant a Tree
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. 


9. Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company
Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades. 


10. Advocate for the Environment
Share information about recycling, energy conservation and global warming with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment. Get active and be a squeaky wheel.



    These 10 steps will take you a long way toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.

            



Mike Carberry

2029 Friendship St.

Iowa City IA 52245




-- 
Mike Carberry

Iowa Global Warming 
Regional Field Director 

2029 Friendship St.
Iowa City IA 52245

Office:   319.338.8820
Mobile:  319.594.6453


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