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results in methane production. Methane is 20 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2, making it dangerous in even small quantities.

LIVING ROOM

1. Those little red lights on your TV, DVD player and stereo mean that those appliances are drawing (and wasting) energy even when you think they're off, sometimes as much as 10% of your total household energy use. (Cost of unplugging your entertainment center $0, saves anywhere upwards of 10c per day)

LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Try to have full loads before turning on the machine. If you do run into a laundry emergency, adjust the load size setting on your machine to avoid wasting water.

2. Air-dry your clothes. What could be nicer than linens that smell like a real sunny spring day, rather than the chemical version of the fragrance? (Cost of clothes pins $1.99, returned in 11 air dryings)

3. Wash in cold water, and with less detergent. Trust me, they'll still get clean, and they'll last longer too. For the longer term invest in front-loading macihnes, they use much less energy than top-loaders. (Savings per load washed in cold $0.16)

BEDROOM

1. Did you know that cotton is one of the most energy and water-intensive crops in the world? It takes literally dozens of litres of water to make a kilo of cotton, and this has already resulted in the depletion, and salination, of many of the world's fresh water resources. Try to fill your closet instead with hemp fibre, organic cotton, and (believe it or not) bamboo fibre cloths, find them, and more earth-friendly products at www.yourecosource.com

WHOLE HOUSE

1. Recycle! Almost all major cities in North America have curbside recycling pick up. Take advantage of it, recycling can divert up to 40% of your household waste. When possible, reuse before you even put it in the blue box - yogurt containers make better tupperware than, well Tupperware.

2. Turn down the water heater to about 50C (122F).

3. Reseal your windows. Also, use passive solar heating. Keeping the windows closed on hot days cools the house, and open on cold days lets the sun in.

4. Get a programmable thermostat so that you can set the temperature lower when the house is empty or the family is asleep.

5. Change your gas lawnmower to a push mower, and get a better workout while eliminating emissions and spills.

6. Attach a rain barrel to your downspout to water the lawn with cost free, chlorine free water.

RENOVATE

Among the changes that can make enormous impacts to our household waste are low-e windows, attic insulation, solar water heating (to provide up to 60% of your family's hot water), and a condensing gas furnace (for a 40% increase in efficiency).

We all play a part in the fight against global warming, and with these tips we each truly take the fight into our own hands. Not to mention - we can see the effect (at least on our pocket books) first hand too.

Learn more about this author, Krista White.
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