Prepared by the Global and Regional Air and Energy Program, Environmental Defense

Whenever you save energy – or use it more efficiently – you reduce the demand for gasoline, oil, coal, and natural gas. Less burning of these fossil fuels means lower emissions of carbon dioxide, the major contributor to global warming.

Home Appliances

1. Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Use the energy-saving setting to dry the dishes. Don't use heat when drying.
2. Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot.
3. Turn down your water heater thermostat; 120 degrees is usually hot enough.

Home Heating and Cooling

4. Don't overheat or over cool 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. Combine trips.
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 conditioner, make sure its coolant is recycled whenever you have it serviced.


Home Improvements

15. Insulate your walls and ceilings; 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. The models are labeled Energy Star.


Schools, Business, and Communities


19. Reduce waste and promote energy-efficient measures at your school or workplace. Work in your community to set up recycling programs.
20. Be informed about environmental issues. Keep track of candidates' voting records and write or call to express concerns.

Think before you make purchases for yourself and others. Here's why

Sign a petition electronically that will be sent to your Senators and U.S. Representatives, urging a reduction green house gases

Sign a petition electronically that will be sent to your Senators, urging support of the Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act of 2007 (S. 309)

The auto industry is suing the state of California to block a new law that would cut global warming pollution by 30 percent. Tell the 5 biggest automobile manufacturers you don't support their stance by electronically signing this petition

Sign a petition electronically that will be sent to your Governor urging them to adopt a clean energy portfolio for your state which includes renewable, clean energy

Buy carbon credits to help offset some of your carbon dioxide emissions, available through Native Energy - the Dave Matthews Band, Ben & Jerry's, Coke and Levi's have all partnered with Native Energy

IKEA and American Forests have teamed up to battle carbon dioxide emissions, through the "Plant a Tree" promotion at local Seattle stores. If you don't live in Seattle, donate online through the American Forests website to have trees planted on your behalf

Join the virtual march to stop global warming - along with Sheryl Crow and 613,000 other people

Download "20 simple ways to reduce global warming" in PDF format. It's what's posted above, made available in a downloadable format that you can circulate through email

Get your kids involved. Download a simple 8 step checklist that your children or students can use