What people can do

Saturday, April 14, 2007
The Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative listed 10 things people can do to reduce their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions:n Consume locally grown food whenever possible.

* Consider the environmental concerns and sensitivity of political candidates when voting.

* Make travel more energy-efficient: reduce travel, combine trips, avoid engine idling, maintain a well-tuned engine, walk, bike, carpool, reduce speed, use public transportation, avoid air travel.

* Review domestic energy usage: turn off appliances and computers when not in use, replace incandescent light bulbs with low-wattage energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs.

* Develop a low-energy yard: plant shade trees, plant shrubs around foundations, replace/reduce lawn areas by planting vegetables, shrubs or trees, use a push-mower.

* Reduce bathroom energy use: install low-flow shower heads; reduce the length of your shower; install timer on water heater to heat only when hot water is needed; reduce hot water temperature to 120 degrees.

* Promote recycling: recycle and compost whenever possible, buy products made from recycled materials, use canvas shopping bags, decline unnecessary store packaging/bagging.

* Thermostat: Reduce winter home thermostat temperature and increase summer temperature; set thermostat on timer adjusted to optimum conditions only when residents are home.

* Consider energy efficiency when buying any appliance.

* Oppose coal/oil-powered electrical generation and support alternative (renewable/perpetual) energy sources.