20 Simple Ways to Reduce Global Warming

Protect the planet & save money!

Home Appliances

1) When using your dishwasher, use the energy-saving setting to dry the dishes. Don’t use heat when drying.
2) Wash clothes in warm water or cold water, not hot.
3) Turn down your water heater.

Home Heating and Cooling

4) Don’t overheat or overcool rooms. Adjust your thermostat (lower in winter, higher in summer).
5) Clean or replace air filters as recommended. Cleaning a dirty air conditioner filter can save 5% of the energy used.

Small Investments That Pay Off

6) Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights.
7) Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket (but only if the water heater is over 5 years old and has no internal insulation).
8) Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water.
9) Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows to plug air leaks.
10) Ask your utility company for a home energy audit to find out where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient.

Getting Around

11) Whenever possible, walk, bike, carpool or use mass transit.
12) When you buy a car, choose one that gets good gas mileage.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

13) Reduce waste: Buy minimally packaged goods; choose reusable products over disposable ones; recycle.
14) If your car has an air has an air conditioner, make sure its coolant is recycled whenever you have it serviced.

Home Improvements

15) Insulate your walls and attic: this can save about 25% of home heating bills.
16) If you need to replace your windows, install the best energy-saving models.
17) Plant trees next to your home and paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate, or a dark color in a cold climate.
18) As you replace home appliances, select the most energy-efficient models.

Schools, Businesses and Communities

19) Reduce waste and promote energy-efficient measures at your school or workplace. Work in your community to set-up recycling programs.

Local, State and National Legislation

20) Be informed about environmental issues. Keep track of candidates’ voting records and write or call to express concerns.