Individual action

What you can do

You can help begin the transition away from fossil fuels by using renewable energy to meet your own power needs.

You may be able to purchase green energy from a local green power company. If such energy is not available, consider purchasing a renewable energy system such as solar photovoltaics (PV) or wind for your home or business.

Reducing your personal energy use is the easiest and most effective way to help curb global warming. You can do this by:

* Turning down the temperature on your refrigerator, your washing machine and your water heater;
* Using compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use one fourth of the energy of conventional light bulbs and will save you money in the long term;
* Insulating your home to ensure that heat or air conditioning is not escaping through windows and cracks;
* Walking, biking or using public transportation whenever possible;
* Using efficient showerheads; and
* Purchasing appliances that are the most energy efficient you can afford.

More information

Want to know more about how you can use energy more efficiently? Visit these websites:
safeclimate.net (US specific).
powerscorecard.org (US specific).

Or be politically active - political action can take many forms. It can mean supporting a public official who supports renewable energy or educating people about the problem of global warming.

You could also write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper about energy and global warming, or form a group in your community to discuss the problem and call for action on a local level.
Become a Cyberactivist: The Greenpeace cybercentre offers current actions that you can do to help stop global warming and support renewable energy.