What can we do about global warming?
You don’t have to be a scientist or a diplomat to do something about global warming.
There are very simple steps each of us can take that will go a long way toward
reducing our use of fossil fuels—and hence our emissions of greenhouse gases.
Here are a few of the things each of us can do:
Reduce, reuse, recycle. Buy products that feature reusable, recyclable, or reduced
packaging to save the energy required to manufacture new containers. Also, by
recycling all of your home’s waste newsprint, cardboard, glass, and metal, you can
reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 850 pounds annually.
Consider a fuel-smart car. When buying a car, purchase a fuel-efficient vehicle—one
that gets more miles to the gallon than your current vehicle. Think about giving your car a day off. Consider transportation alternatives such as mass transit, carpooling, bicycling, and telecommuting. By leaving your car at home two days a week, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,590 pounds a year. When you do drive, keep your car tuned up and its tires properly inflated to save on fuel costs.
Tune up your home to save dollars. Insulate your home, caulk windows and doors, and
tune up your furnace and air conditioner.
Go solar. Install a solar thermal system in your home to help provide
your hot water, and reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by about
720 pounds annually.
Encourage your utility to do its part. Many local utility companies
offer energy from clean sources (landfill gas recovery, high-efficiency
natural gas-fired power plants, or renewables such as solar and wind).
Get involved at work. Your company can save money by joining EPA
programs such as ENERGY STAR® Buildings and Waste Wi$e recycling programs,
and by buying office equipment with the ENERGY STAR® label.
Plant trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the
air. Join family members, neighbors, or community service groups in
planting trees in your yard, along roadways, at schools, and in parks.
Educate others. Encourage others to take these practical, energysaving
steps that save money while protecting the environment.
What is the U.S. Government Doing?
The U.S. government is involved in a variety of efforts to investigate
climate change and to prepare for its potential impacts. The United
States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) has initiated a
research program and national assessment of the potential consequences
of climate variability and change for the nation. The assessment
process will analyze and evaluate what is known about the
potential consequences in the context of other pressures on the public, the environment, and the nation’s resources.
In addition, the federal government is engaging the private sector, states, and
localities in partnerships aimed at addressing the challenge of global warming
while, at the same time, strengthening the economy. For example, ENERGY STAR®, a
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy program, protects
the environment by helping consumers identify energy efficient products. At
the global level, countries around the world have expressed a firm commitment to
strengthening international responses to the risks of climate change.
What Can We Do About Global Warming?
C L I M A T E C H A N G E
NOAA/NASA/EPA CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERSHIP
