There are things everyone can do to fight global warming, no matter how difficult it may seem to solve this problem.  Below is a great list of 20 things everyone can do, on their own, to fight global warming and pollution.   This list is from another positive organization that makes a difference, the Evironnmental Defense Action Fund.  The photo below is of the smoggy air over California, from Climate.gov, which illustrates one of the environmental problems that needs to be reversed.

I was surprised when reading the list how people could do even more than the list suggests.  For instance, don’t use a dishwasher at all.  Hand wash and air dry as much as possible.  Air dry your clothes too.  I have added more suggestions after some of the items.

The average American today uses enough energy to release about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide- the major contributor to global warming- per year.  Here are 20 simple steps you can take to bring your average down. [this was originally written in 2007]

1. Urge your United States Senators to support the Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act.

(Updated legislation summaries can be found here.)

2. Run your dishwashwer only with a full load.  Use the energy-saving setting to dry the dishes. Don’t use heat when drying.

[Better idea -- hand wash and air or towel dry. Why use a dishwasher at all?]

3. Wash clothes in warm or cold water, not hot.  [Dry them outside if possible.]

4. Turn down your water heater thermostat; 120 degrees is usually sufficent.

5. Monitor the temperature in your home.  Adjust your thermostat – lower in the winter and higher in the summer.

[Use a fan or "swamp cooler" instead of an air conditioner.]

6. Clean or replace air filters as recommended.

7. Buy energy efficient compact flourescent bulbs for your most used lights.

8. Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket (but only if the water heater is over five years old and has no internal insulation).

[Better yet, get a solar powered hot water heater!]

9. Install low-flow shower heads to use less hot water.

10. Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to plug air leaks.

[or get new windows installed that are more air-tight, if you can afford it.]

11. Ask your utility company to conduct an energy audit to find out where your home is poorly insulated or energy inefficient.

12. Whenever possible, walk, bike, carpool, or use mass transit.

13. When time and budget permits, buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle- one that gets at least five more mpg than your old car.

14. Reduce waste by buying minimally packaged goods; choosing reusable products over disposable ones.

15. Request that the coolant be recycled every time your car air conditioner is serviced.

16. Insulate your walls and ceilings to save about 25% on your home heating bills.

17. If you [...]