Step It Up

On November 5th, Blake and I attended an environmental rally "Step It Up" to help fight climate change. Step It Up 2007 is a campaign organized by people all around the country, calling for leadership on global warming. Their goal is to empower the grassroots climate movement to take action locally by calling for national change.
Some easy things you can do:

• Replace standard light bulbs with new compact fluorescent bulbs.


• A new, energy-efficient refrigerator will cut your home's CO2 output by a ton a year.


• Insulate pipes that carry hot water throughout your home. If your water heater is more than 5 years old, wrap it in an insulating jacket.


• Run full loads when washing clothes. Use cold or warm water instead of hot.


• Turn off your computer monitor when you won't be using it for at least 20 minutes.


• Check your car tires. Keep wheels aligned and tires properly inflated. Keep your engine tuned. You'll save up to 165 gallons of gas per year (that's $510.00 at current gas prices!) by minding those spark plugs, oxygen sensors, air filters, hoses and belts.


• By driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle, it not only saves you money, it makes a big difference in reducing emissions.


• Check the insulation around your home: the attic, around pipes and ductwork, and under the flooring on the ground floor.


• Plant dense evergreen trees and shrubs to the north and northwest of your home to protect it from cold winter winds.


• Raising meat contributes more global warming emissions than raising crops. Cutting back on meat even once a week can make a difference.