With global warming much of the emphasis seems to focus on governments creating policy change and big businesses implementing them so when one thinks of global warming, it seems insurmountable, and it becomes difficult to see what one person can do to have an impact on this global issue. We have all heard about our cars polluting the environment and the large gas guzzling vehicles getting a bad rap. We have heard that we should walk, bike or take public transportation to work. But what if you cannot make these specific changes? Are there other options that can make a difference even just within your own home?

Beyond the more expensive suggestions of changing your home which may not be an option financially, including replacing old appliances with energy efficient ones or installing renewable energy sources such as solar powered energy, there are other smaller things we can all do to make a difference. Everyone can do even some of these. They are not difficult, but do require a conscious effort to make a change. The environment and even your pocketbook will feel better for it.

There are some obvious ways to be environmentally friendly in the home including recycling, keeping lights turned off when not required, replacing incandescent light bulbs with florescent bulbs and even composting and planting even just one tree. Surprisingly many people are still reluctant to do even these small things, which is shocking because it is so easy and contributes so positively to the global environment. In addition to these, there are even less obvious ways to contribute in our homes that many people may not have thought about or are not currently practicing that would even further reduce our impact on global warming.

Turning your heating down even a few degrees in the winter and up a few degrees in the summer can make a large difference in a home. Also turning it down when you leave for work in the morning and back up when you return and even down again at night when you are sleeping can save dramatically and a programmable thermostat can do this for you automatically, with no need to remember each day. Closing all the vents in rooms you do not use regularly and then shutting those doors keeps air warm only where required. Turn off the heat or air-conditioning before you open any windows to air out the house. These all save tremendously on our heating and cooling consumption.

In your kitchen, defrost your fridge regularly and ensure the coils remain

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