1. CHANGE LIGHTBULBS: After your incandescent light bulbs burn out, switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. CFL’s last longer and use less energy.

2. TURN OFF LIGHTS: Be mindful of turning off lights when they are not needed.

3. USE ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES: Be sure to invest in Energy Star Certified appliances for your home. Washers, dryers, refrigerators, computers, televisions, heating/cooling systems, and other appliances are all available in energy efficient versions.

4. USE LOW FLOW FAUCETS: Transporting and treating water consumes a surprisingly high amount of energy. Install efficient faucets, toilets, and showerheads.

5. LOWER YOUR HOT WATER HEATER TO 120o

6. BUY GREEN POWER: When possible, select renewable energy as the source for power in your home.

7. PLANT DECIDUOUS TREES IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS: Deciduous trees provide shade during the warm summer months and will reduce your energy consumption for air conditioning.

8. USE A PUSH MOWER: Power lawn mowers produce more emissions than your car does. Lessen the size of your lawn to a manageable size by planning shrubs and use a push mower.

9. RECYCLE: Use this site http://earth911.org/recycling/ to determine where your local recycling center is and what you can bring there.

10. ADJUST YOUR THERMOSTAT: Lower the temperature by a few degrees in the winter and raise it in the summer.

11. INSTALL A PROGRAMABLE THERMOSTAT

12. USE POWER SAVE MODE ON COMPUTERS

13. USE COLD WATER FOR WASHING CLOTHES

1. CHOOSE YOUR TRANSPORTATION WISELY: Walk, bike, use public transportation and carpool whenever possible instead of driving your car.

2. MAKE YOUR NEXT CAR MORE EFFICIENT: Next time you buy a car, consider the car’s fuel economy and increase the miles per gallon from your current car.

3. DRIVE SMARTLY: Rapid acceleration and braking increase the fuel consumption by 40%. Fuel efficiency drops off quickly for speeds higher than 60 mph. Also, switch to a high gear as quick as possible without accelerating unnecessarily.

4. MAINTAIN YOUR CAR PROPERLY: Be sure that your car tires are pumped to the appropriate psi- save yourself 6% in fuel costs. Check tire pressure at least once a month. Change dirty air filters. Change your oil every 3,000 miles.

5. PLAN YOUR TRIPS: Combine errands to reduce the miles spent in the car

6. USE AIR CONDITIONING SPARINGLY

7. TELECOMMUTE TO WORK

8. PLEDGE TO DRIVE LESS

1. USE LESS STUFF

2. EAT LOCAL AND ORGANIC: Select food goods that are produced locally and organically and you’ll save the transportation carbon emissions as well as support your local community.

3. EAT IN SEASON: Educate yourself on in season eating. A very basic guide to follow is: greens in the spring, light fruits and vegetables in the summer, roots in the fall, and roots and meats in the winter.

4. CHOOSE VEGETARIAN OPTIONS: Consuming foods low on the food chain reduces the energy required for production

5. SAY NO TO PLASTIC BAGS: Bring your own bag when shopping and kindly decline the offer of another plastic bag that will eventually sit in a landfill.

6. BUY PRODUCTS MADE FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS

7. MOVING? CHOOSE LOCATION WISELY: Select your next home location close to your work, grocery store, and other frequent destinations.

1. CALCULATE FOOTPRINT: Know what areas in your life are producing the most carbon emissions and find ways of minimizing these categories

2. ENCOURAGE FRIENDS TO MAKE WISE ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS

3. BUY CARBON OFFSETS: Invest in projects that will reduce carbon output