2008 Presidential Candidates

To help stop global warming and address our energy issues, it is imperative that our country elect a leader with a plan. Read each of the 2008 Presidential candidates future plans to address the issues and how they have voted in the past. Compare the candidates...

Small Change for the Day

Stop Global Warming
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Fighting Global Warming - Taking it up a Notch!

It's time to learn some of the more advanced actions we can take to continue fighting global warming. Some may require a small investment of time or money. Some may require a larger investment. But the choices we make and the actions we take are a more important investment in our future...our children's future...our grandchildren's future.


	Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - I was very hesitant to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs at first. No one looks good in fluorescent lighting. And in my home, I didn't want to have a strange green glow. But then I bought one to replace a regular bulb. I was amazed at how little difference there was in the light. It actually emits a nice soft glow. Almost indistinguishable between it and the regular. And with compact fluorescent bulbs increasing in popularity, the options available and the technology is improving dramatically. Now CF's are available in dimmable format, different sizes and shapes to fit almost any regular fixture. Even the prices are coming down. They last so much longer and require so much less energy to power, that any price difference is made up very quickly. Begin using compact fluorescent light bulbs...	Savings when replacing only 3 regular bulbs: 300 pounds of carbon dioxide and $60 per year.

	Change Your Air Conditioning Filter Regularly - Another bit of common sense that also makes environmental sense. Your air conditioning has to work harder to cool when its filter is dirty and clogged. A helpful way to remember is to replace your filter every time you pay your electric bill.	Savings: 350 pounds of carbon dioxide and $150 per year.

	Bundle Up Your Water Heater - To reduce heat loss from your water heater, wrap it with a special water heater insulating blanket. They are easy to install and help keep your water hot so that the heater can run less often. They are available at most hardware stores. Learn how to install a water heater blanket...	Savings: 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.

	Change Your Vehicle's Air Filter - Checking your air filter each month and replacing it when it is dirty is a great way to improve your vehicle's gas mileage and in turn emit less carbon dioxide.	Savings: 800 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year.

	Install a Low Flow Showerhead - Today's low flow showerheads are a HUGE improvement over the ones from several years ago (remember the Seinfeld episode?). Today's low flow heads are just as good at rinsing your hair out than regular. Many have several massage options. Less water used equals less energy required to heat the water. Find out where to purchase a low-flow showerhead...	Savings: 350 pounds of carbon dioxide and $150 per year.

	Check Your Home for Energy Robbing Drafts - Allowing the cold air to creep in to your house in the winter only makes your heater need to work harder and use more energy. Caulk and weather strip doorways and windows to keep out the cold (and the heat in summer). Many electric companies are beginning to offer home energy audits to help you determine where your trouble areas are.	Savings: 1700 pounds of carbon dioxide and $274 per year.

	Add Insulation to Your Home - Many builders don't include enough insulation when building your house to really get the best energy efficiency. Adding insulation to the walls, ceiling and attic can help keep your house cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Again, a home energy audit is a good method of determining where additional insulation would best serve your home.	Savings: 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $245 per year.

	Buy Credits For or Use Green Energy - Some electric companies offer green energy credits that help offset the cost of research, development and installation of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Some cities have the option to choose your energy provider. In many cases one or more of the providers use only renewable energy sources. Learn more about green energy credits...	Savings: hundreds pounds of carbon dioxide.

	Buy a Push mower - Its almost lawn cutting time again. We have always paid a neighborhood kid to cut our grass, but now that our son is old enough to do it for free, we bought a manual push mower. It's incredibly easy to use, especially on our small yard. They key is to make sure you don't let your grass get too long, or it does become more difficult to cut. I hate the sound and smell of gas mowers so the silence of the push mower is music to my ears. Learn more about reel push lawn mowers...	Savings: 80 pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year (if you were paying someone else previously).

	Switch to a Tankless Water Heater - Tankless water heaters are more efficient because they only heat water as needed and not to store in a big tank. Learn more about purchasing a tankless water heaters...	Savings: 300 pounds of carbon dioxide and $390 per year.

	Buy Energy Star Appliances - Purchase the most energy efficient appliances possible. Energy use can be found on the tags for the appliances in the store. And if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford it, replace your old ones now with more efficient models.	Savings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.

	Install a Programmable Thermostat - Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home's temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you're away or sleeping. Learn more about energy savings with programmable thermostats...	Savings: 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.

	Plant a Tree - Trees are nature's own carbon dioxide reducers. They help absorb the excess carbon dioxide keeping it from entering the atmosphere. Learn how you can plant a tree without even getting your hands dirty...	Savings: 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

	Make Your Next Vehicle a Fuel Efficient Vehicle - Make fuel economy and emissions number 1 on your list of criteria when shopping for a new car. Hybrids are great if you can afford it, but several automakers are now offering more fuel efficient vehicle. Find out which models score best...	Savings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.