10 Things you can do to help solve the climate crisis
Adapted from “AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH” by Al Gore
SWITCH TO GREEN POWER
Although most energy in the United States comes from fossil fuels, many people are electing to use energy generated by cleaner sources such as the sun, wind, the heat of the Earth, or the burning of biomass. For more information about various alternative sources of energy, visit www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/renewable_energy
PURCHASE OFFSETS TO NEUTRALIZE YOUR REMAINING EMISSIONS
It is virtually impossible to eliminate our personal contributions to the climate crisis through reducing emissions alone. By purchasing carbon offsets you are funding a project that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. For more information visit www.nativeenergy.com/climatecrisis
DON’T WASTE PAPER
In addition to recycling, limit your use of paper towels and use cloth rags instead. Use both sides of paper whenever possible. And stop unwanted junk mail. For information about how to remove your name from mailing lists, visit www.newdream.org/junkmail or www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html
CARRY YOUR OWN REFILLABLE BOTTLE FOR WATER OR OTHER BEVERAGES
Instead of buying single use plastic bottles that require significant energy and resources to produce, buy a reusable container. For more information visit www.grrn.org/beverage/refillables/index.html
PRE-CYCLE—REDUCE WASTE BEFORE YOU BUY
Give preference to products that use recycled packaging or that don’t use excess packaging. When possible, buy in bulk. For ideas about how to pre-cycle, visit www.environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentid=2194
BUY THINGS THAT LAST
Buy less, choose durable items over disposable ones, repair rather than discard, and pass on items to someone who can make use of them. For more information www.epa.gov/msw/reduce.html and www.freecycle.org
MODIFY YOUR DIET TO INCLUDE LESS MEAT
It takes far more fossil-fuel energy to produce and transport meat than to deliver equivalent amounts of protein from plant sources. For more information about cows and global warming, visit www.earthsave.org/globalwarming.htm and www.epa.gov/methane/rlep/faq.html
VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS
Find out which brands and stores are making efforts to reduce their emissions and operate in an environmentally responsible manner. For information about the environmental practices and policies of the companies you buy from, visit www.coopamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper or www.responsibleshopper.org
SUPPORT AN ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP
NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/default.asp
SIERRA CLUB
www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE
www.environmentaldefense.org/issue.cfm?subnav=12&linkID=15
TELECOMMUTE FROM HOME
Reduce the number of miles you drive by telecommuting; you’ll spend less time on the road, and devote more attention to business. For further information visit The Telework Coalition at www.telcoa.org
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