Reduce Global Warming Pollution at Home
By taking these actions to reduce your global warming pollution, you can have a direct impact on the earth's climate. Replacing 15 of your light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, you will avoid emitting over 1 ton of carbon dioxide every year. Buying energy efficient appliances, such as a new Energy Star refrigerator which also costs less to run, can save another ton or more of CO2 annually. Since the average American emits around 20 tons of CO2 per year, these simple steps would already reduce your emissions by at least 10%. Do you want to how much global warming pollution you create today? Assess your impact with our calculator.
| Action |
Pollution Reduction (Pounds of Carbon Dioxide Per Year) |
Percent Reduction in Annual Emissions for Average Person |
Potential Annual Energy Bill Savings |
| Replace 5 commonly used light bulbs with low energy spiral (CFL) bulbs |
1,150 |
6% |
$50 |
| Set a computer and monitor to "power down" when not in use |
300 |
2% |
$15 |
| Use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead and washing clothes in cold or warm water |
850 |
5% |
$40 |
| Purchase ten percent of your electricity from a green power source such as wind, solar or geothermal |
625 |
3% |
|
| Adjusting your thermostat two degrees cooler in the winter can save more than 5% on energy bills, and setting your theromstat two degrees warmer in summer can save 10% or more. Alternatively, you can use a programmable thermostat to adjust temperatures by four degrees autmoatically while you are at work and sleeping. |
2,000 |
11% |
$100 |
| Purchase an energy-saving washing machine or refrigerator that has earned the government's “Energy Star” label |
475 |
3% |
$25 |
| Turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees |
500 |
3% |
$25 |
| Keep your car off the road to and from work one day per week by teleworking, carpooling, riding a bike, or using public transportation (Savings based on a 10 mile trip to/from work) |
1,000 |
6% |
$125 |
| Use a car that gets 10 miles more per gallon than what you currently drive |
2,850 |
16% |
$350 |
| Keep your tires properly inflated, improving fuel economy up to 3% |
250 |
1.5% |
$30 |
| Eliminate one trip by car per week by stringing errands together (savings based on a 5 mile trip to the store) |
500 |
3% |
$60 |
| Plant six trees |
300 |
2% |
|
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