Take the lead, inspire change

emily — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 06:43:07 -0700

How can you let your leaders know that you would like them to participate in solving the climate crisis? One way is to write them a letter asking them to join you in signing the pledge (another way is to write to your newspapers and magazines). We have written a sample letter below that you can use to contact your local, state, and federal leaders, as well as your business leaders, leaders of your faith community, and other leaders near and far. You can use this online tool to send the letter to your elected officials.

Get a second opinion. Re-use

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:23:49 -0700

We all need to buy things from time to time. Whether it's clothes, electronics, furniture, linens, books, or toys for our pleading children, the greenest and most climate-friendly option when you're in the market is to buy used.

Sweet Dreams - sleeping computers

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:48:21 -0700

Myths abound in the world of office technology: how turning computers on and off shortens their life, how screensavers can save the world, the photographic limits of a copy machine, and how IT department performance is linked to vending machine sales of Jolt.

However, the reality is that a few easy steps can set up the automatic power savings options on your computer. You have the power to be energy efficient.

Host a party to benefit the earth

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:44:13 -0700

Research tells us that the most trusted source of information for most people is a friend. So why not host a party for your friends that combines good information with lots of fun? Make your next gathering a "Climate Party." With the right combination of setting, food, drink, dress, conversation, and even games that suit your social scene, you can create a memorable and momentum-building event.

Forget the rules of thumb

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:13:50 -0700

Whether you're a truck driver, office worker, janitor, daycare provider, teacher, carpenter, CEO, farmer, engineer or concerned parent, you do have the power to help solve the climate crisis through making changes in your job and at your workplace.

Finding the savings takes a little creativity and true, American out-of-the-box thinking and innovation, but the rewards are huge -- both the impact on the climate and the sense of accomplishment you'll have.

So, what does a Climate P.I. do to hunt down energy savings and climate-friendly solutions?

Cool threads

emily — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:44:26 -0700

Most of the energy consumed by your washing machine is used just to warm the water. If you usually use hot water for your washing you can drop your energy consumption in half by choosing warm water, and up to 90% if you choose cold. That leads to significant reductions in global warming pollutants that are created either directly in your house by your oil or natural gas water heater or by the power plant that supplies your electric water heater.

Word of mouth, words of wisdom

emily — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 18:35:27 -0700

How many times has someone asked you, "You got a minute?" They want to know if this looks good with that; if this should go over here; or, what did you think about this, that, or the other?

Climate awareness: make the case

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:34:06 -0700

While the number of people without sufficient knowledge about the climate crisis is diminishing, they still exist. Too frequently these folks, armed with poor data, loud voices and misplaced confidence shake the resolve of the many who are now aware of the urgency of tackling global warming.

Such climate change naysayers come in many different shapes and sizes and with a variety of backgrounds. So how do you get them to listen to the real facts? Here are five hints:

Vote: exercise your right

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:15:51 -0700

Short summary: It's our community, it's our country, it's our world, it's our future. We should have a say.

Together we have the power to demand that our leaders effectively address the climate crisis. How can we do this? By standing up on Election Day and showing our voting muscle. Voting makes a statement that we're here, we're not going away and that politicians of all persuasions, shapes and sizes and at all levels of government must pay attention to the issues we care about.

If you build it green...

emily — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:01:43 -0700

Now is an important time to encourage your local and state officials to adopt green building standards that reduce the energy consumption of all new construction. According to the US Green Building Council, buildings in the US are the source of 39% of our carbon dioxide emissions, almost all of which comes from heating, cooling, and electrical power use. Compared to standard construction, green buildings are designed and built with resource efficiency, energy reduction and human health in mind.