What you can do:

In Your Community

Work to Improve Mass Transit in Your Community.
Fight Development of Coal Fired Power Plants unless they trap and store CO2.
Leverage your purchasing power by supporting companies that provide climate-friendly products and services.
Urge your lawmakers to develop laws and policies that will expand renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on coal and oil.
Urge Candidates for Public Office to take strong positions on climate action and vote for those that do.
Take Action: Become an Oceana Wavemaker!

On the Road

> Look for more fuel-efficient, less polluting cars.
Driving a hybrid vehicle is not only environmentally friendly, but it can save you a lot of money at the gas pump as well.

> Keep your car in good condition and keep tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure.
A well-tuned and inflated car improves gas mileage and saves you money.

> Cut driving miles and carpool more.
Carpooling can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car.

> Don't drive aggressively.
Rapid acceleration and braking can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on a highway. Aggressive drivers are using an extra 125 gallons of gas and spending over $250 more than average drivers each year.

> Slow down.
Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5mph you drive over 60mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.

> Remove excess weight from your car.
Extra weight decreases fuel economy. Hauling an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Place luggage inside rather than on the roof or trunk to minimize drag and increase mileage.

> Don't idle.
If you are stopping for more than ten seconds - except in traffic - turn off your engine. Idling for more than ten seconds uses more gas and creates more global warming pollution than simply restarting your engine.

These and other recommendations can be found at:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml

At Home

: US EPA

DO TODAY:

> If you still use incandescent lights, switch them off whenever you're not in the room.
Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat. If you leave the room for more than 15 minutes, regardless of the type of lights you have switch them off.

> Use power strips to switch off appliances.
Even when you turn off certain home appliances, such as televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos, are still using up energy. 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is typically wasted during periods of inactivity.

> During periods of inactivity, turn off computers at home and work and enable the sleep mode.
Computers with activated sleep modes typically require 70 percent less electricity than those without.

> Wash only full loads of dishes.
Using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. Each time you wash the dishes you use 12 gallons of water.

> In your clothes washer, set the appropriate water level for the size of the load and wash in cold water.
90 percent of your washer's energy consumption comes from heating the water.

> In summer, keep the shades drawn to keep the cool in.
The U.S. Department of Energy says that sunny windows can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder.

> In winter, open the shades to allow sunlight to help warm rooms.
Not only is sunlight brighter than many light bulbs, but it's also free.

> Clean or replace the air filter in your air conditioner.
This will increase energy efficiency. A clean filter can lower your conditioner's energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent.

GETTING YOUR TEMPERATURE RIGHT:

> Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F.
For each 10 degrees F reduction in water temperature, you can save 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. Also, setting your heater to 120 degrees F can help prevent mineral buildup and corrosion in your water pipes.

> Set your refrigerator temperature at 37 to 40 degrees F and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees F.
This will increase energy efficiency. Also, use the power save switch if your refrigerator has one, and make sure the door seals tightly.

> Set heat and cooling temperatures correctly.
Turn off the thermostat when you are away from home. Air conditioners and heaters generally account for 45 percent of your utility bill, and the U.S. emits 150 million tons of carbon dioxide every year because of heating and cooling. Using your equipment wisely can reduce your environmental emissions anywhere from 20 to 50 percent.

UPGRADE YOUR HOME:

> Install low-flow shower heads.
This will use less water. This way, you can save 25 to 60 percent on your water bill without decreasing performance.

> Planting trees around your house can save you up to 25 percent on your cooling costs.
Also, an air conditioner working in the shade requires 10 percent less electricity than those in the sun.

WHAT YOUR ENERGY COMPANY CAN DO FOR YOU:

> Ask your utility company for a free home energy audit.
The proper insulation and air sealing techniques they can provide could reduce your home's heating and cooling costs up to 10 percent.

> Ask whether your electric company sells energy from renewable resources like wind or solar.
Solar energy could cut your energy costs by more than 50 percent. To find out if green power is available in your area, visit the Department of Energy's Green Pricing Page.

NEXT TIME YOU ARE OUT SHOPPING FOR YOUR HOME:

> Look for the Energy Star label.
You can save up to 50 percent on your energy bill with these energy efficient appliances.

> Choose refrigerators with freezers on top.
They use 10 to 25 percent less energy than side-by-side models.

> Choose a dishwasher with a light wash cycle.
They use less water and run for less time.

> Look for dishwashers that allow dishes to be air dried.
Using circulation fans, rather than heat coils saves energy.

For these and other tips visit:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12280
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/appliances/index.cfm/mytopic=10070
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/windows.html
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/solar_heat_cool.html
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12390
http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=130900
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/refrigerators.html
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation_sealing.html

<< Back Next >>



North America » Europe » South America » Home » Global Warming Basics » Pollution Sources » Visible Warming Signs » Stopping Global Warming » Cause » Greenhouse Gases » Impacts » Acid Oceans » Rising Seas » Disrupted Food Webs » Depleted Ecosystems » Harsher Storms » Victims » Solutions » What Governments can do » What you can do » What Oceana is doing » No More Flying Free » No More Free Ride » Get Involved » Take Action » Sign Up » Donate » Tell A Friend » Take the Earth Day Challenge by calculating your impact, then working to reduce your score by 15% in 2008.	What you can do: In Your Community Work to Improve Mass Transit in Your Community. Fight Development of Coal Fired Power Plants unless they trap and store CO2. Leverage your purchasing power by supporting companies that provide climate-friendly products and services. Urge your lawmakers to develop laws and policies that will expand renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on coal and oil. Urge Candidates for Public Office to take strong positions on climate action and vote for those that do. Take Action: Become an Oceana Wavemaker! On the Road > Look for more fuel-efficient, less polluting cars. Driving a hybrid vehicle is not only environmentally friendly, but it can save you a lot of money at the gas pump as well. > Keep your car in good condition and keep tires inflated to the maximum recommended pressure. A well-tuned and inflated car improves gas mileage and saves you money. > Cut driving miles and carpool more. Carpooling can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car. > Don't drive aggressively. Rapid acceleration and braking can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on a highway. Aggressive drivers are using an extra 125 gallons of gas and spending over $250 more than average drivers each year. > Slow down. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5mph you drive over 60mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas. > Remove excess weight from your car. Extra weight decreases fuel economy. Hauling an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle reduces fuel economy by up to 2 percent. Place luggage inside rather than on the roof or trunk to minimize drag and increase mileage. > Don't idle. If you are stopping for more than ten seconds - except in traffic - turn off your engine. Idling for more than ten seconds uses more gas and creates more global warming pollution than simply restarting your engine. These and other recommendations can be found at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.shtml http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.shtml At Home US EPA DO TODAY: > If you still use incandescent lights, switch them off whenever you're not in the room. Only about 10%–15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light—the rest is turned into heat. If you leave the room for more than 15 minutes, regardless of the type of lights you have switch them off. > Use power strips to switch off appliances. Even when you turn off certain home appliances, such as televisions, home theater equipment, and stereos, are still using up energy. 75 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is typically wasted during periods of inactivity. > During periods of inactivity, turn off computers at home and work and enable the sleep mode. Computers with activated sleep modes typically require 70 percent less electricity than those without. > Wash only full loads of dishes. Using short cycles for all but the dirtiest dishes. Each time you wash the dishes you use 12 gallons of water. > In your clothes washer, set the appropriate water level for the size of the load and wash in cold water. 90 percent of your washer's energy consumption comes from heating the water. > In summer, keep the shades drawn to keep the cool in. The U.S. Department of Energy says that sunny windows can make your air conditioner work two to three times harder. > In winter, open the shades to allow sunlight to help warm rooms. Not only is sunlight brighter than many light bulbs, but it's also free. > Clean or replace the air filter in your air conditioner. This will increase energy efficiency. A clean filter can lower your conditioner's energy consumption by 5 to 15 percent. GETTING YOUR TEMPERATURE RIGHT: > Set the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F. For each 10 degrees F reduction in water temperature, you can save 3 to 5 percent in energy costs. Also, setting your heater to 120 degrees F can help prevent mineral buildup and corrosion in your water pipes. > Set your refrigerator temperature at 37 to 40 degrees F and your freezer between 0 and 5 degrees F. This will increase energy efficiency. Also, use the power save switch if your refrigerator has one, and make sure the door seals tightly. > Set heat and cooling temperatures correctly. Turn off the thermostat when you are away from home. Air conditioners and heaters generally account for 45 percent of your utility bill, and the U.S. emits 150 million tons of carbon dioxide every year because of heating and cooling. Using your equipment wisely can reduce your environmental emissions anywhere from 20 to 50 percent. UPGRADE YOUR HOME: > Install low-flow shower heads. This will use less water. This way, you can save 25 to 60 percent on your water bill without decreasing performance. > Planting trees around your house can save you up to 25 percent on your cooling costs. Also, an air conditioner working in the shade requires 10 percent less electricity than those in the sun. WHAT YOUR ENERGY COMPANY CAN DO FOR YOU: > Ask your utility company for a free home energy audit. The proper insulation and air sealing techniques they can provide could reduce your home's heating and cooling costs up to 10 percent. > Ask whether your electric company sells energy from renewable resources like wind or solar. Solar energy could cut your energy costs by more than 50 percent. To find out if green power is available in your area, visit the Department of Energy's Green Pricing Page. NEXT TIME YOU ARE OUT SHOPPING FOR YOUR HOME: > Look for the Energy Star label. You can save up to 50 percent on your energy bill with these energy efficient appliances. > Choose refrigerators with freezers on top. They use 10 to 25 percent less energy than side-by-side models. > Choose a dishwasher with a light wash cycle. They use less water and run for less time. > Look for dishwashers that allow dishes to be air dried. Using circulation fans, rather than heat coils saves energy. For these and other tips visit: http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12280 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/appliances/index.cfm/mytopic=10070 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/pdfs/energy_savers.pdf http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/windows.html http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/solar_heat_cool.html http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/space_heating_cooling/index.cfm/mytopic=12390 http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=130900 http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/refrigerators.html http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation_sealing.html << Back Next >>	Take Action » Donate » Join » Heavy Extinction Risk for King Penguins Climate change strikes again - this time, King Penguins. With temperatures projected to increase in the Antarctic by 0.4ºC over the next two decades, King Penguins' chances of survival have dropped by 15%. King Penguins feed on small fish and squid, which subsequently are declining because of warming in the Southern Ocean. These penguins inhabit islands to the north of Antarctica, but warming temperatures are diminishing their food supply and forcing them to travel further in search for something to eat. This extra effort, in turn, is taking its toll on their overall health and ability to survive. Temperature increases jeopardize the future wellbeing of this species, and only time will tell if the King Penguin will be able to cope with the stresses of climate change. To find out more, read an article from the Telegraph or the scientific report from The National Academy of Sciences. » Archived Hot Topics
	© Oceana 2008. Some graphics provided by © Ninja Graphix. \| Oceana's Privacy Policy