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Re-activateThe surge of new information on living greener and cutting greenhouse-gas emissions linked to global warming seemed to reach a peak last month around the 37th annual Earth Day—segments on ABC News and Oprah illustrate the fervor with which major media players are jumping on the green bandwagon. Even Vanity Fair has joined the party.
Experts say that each year the average two-person U.S. household is responsible for creating about 44,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, a prime contributor to global warming. How do you know if the lifestyle changes and choices you're making are really making a difference in decreasing your carbon footprint?
As with most endeavors, a little perspective and some prioritizing can go a long way. The top three ways to slash that amount in half are to:
1) Properly insulate and seal the ducts in your home, saving up to 10,140 pounds of CO2 per year.
2) Drive a more fuel-efficient car, reducing your carbon footprint by about 8,000 pounds.
3) Replace an old water heater, knocking another 3,285 pounds off your CO2 tally.
And if those steps aren't practical, or to find out what else you can do, check out our list of the 12 ways you can cut CO2 production at home and on the road, ranked in order of savings. While some efforts will require time and an initial investment, others are easy to do right away and will cost you nothing.—Kristi Wiedemann, Science and Policy Analyst, GreenerChoices.org
Essential information: Learn more about global warming and get advice on ways to save energy and money everyday at GreenerChoices.org. You can cut your own utility bills by following the advice in "20 free ways to save energy," an exclusive excerpt from our "Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs."
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