What difference can I make? When faced with this question, individuals should recognize that collectively they can make a difference. Think back to the days before recycling became popular – when everyone threw everything out in the trash. In less than 20 years, most households have gone from recycling little to nothing to recycling newspapers, plastics, glass and metal. Many businesses recycle paper and buy recycled products and many industries practice source reduction in their packaging efforts. An entire mindset has changed in one generation!
Taking action on global warming (or climate change) is similar. In some cases, it only takes a little change in lifestyle and behavior to make some big changes in greenhouse gas reductions. For other types of actions, the changes are more significant. When that action is multiplied by the 270 million people in the U.S. or the 6 billion people worldwide, the savings are significant.
"Individuals Can Make A Difference" identifies actions that many households can take that reduce greenhouse gas emissions in addition to other benefits, including saving you money! The actions range from changes in the house, in the yard, in the car, and in the store. Everyone's contribution counts, so why not do your share?
For Additional Information
Visit the ENERGY STAR® website, or call 1-888-STAR-YES.
Visit the Climate Change and Waste website.
Save Money and Save the Environment: A Consumer Guide to Buying Energy-Efficient Products for the Home. 
Washington, DC: Consumer Federation of America Foundation, 1999.
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings. Washington, DC: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2001.
Green Guide to Cars and Trucks. Washington, DC: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2002.
DOE Fuel Economy Site. Provides gas mileage (MPG), greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information for new and used cars and trucks.