1. Call or write your elected officials.
It is vital that government at all levels take action immediately to control global warming. Please call or write your federal, state, and local officials and tell them that you are deeply concerned about global warming and ask them to join with other countries, states, and cities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the world's largest polluter the United States has a moral and legal obligation to limit the destructiveness of global warming to humanity and to the planet. Support and vote for those who will legislate and implement massive and sustained efforts to control global warming.

2. Drive a fuel efficient car.
When you replace your vehicle consider a gas-saving hybrid such as the Toyota Prius, rated at 60 mph in the city and 51 mph on the highway. Manufacturers are already offering flex fuel cars that can run on ethanol blends and will introduce plug-in hybrids in the near term to make local driving primarily electric powered. You can increase the gas mileage of your car with periodic tune-ups and properly inflated tires. Drive less by aggregating trips and by using mass transit, walking, biking, working at home, and internet shopping.

3. Heat your home with wood, corn, or biofuel.
Reduce your use of heating oil and natural gas and use renewable wood, corn, or biofuel. Fireplace inserts are much more efficient than open fireplaces. Burn hardwoods that are often available from urban pruning and other renewable sources. Automatic corn stoves also provide efficient and steady heat. Corn-burning neighbors in Takoma Park have erected a corn silo on municipal land to supply their stoves with organically grown corn. Mixtures of biodiesel and home heating oil are now available in some markets.

4. Choose renewable electricity.
Green marketing, green pricing, and green tags offer consumers opportunities to use or support renewable electric power. In many states the green marketing of electricity allows choice by power source. In Virginia, PEPCO offers electricity from landfill gas at 4.53 cents per kilowatt hour and from wind sources at 5.33 cents per kilowatt hour. Most states allow consumers to support green power through green pricing by paying a premium to their utilities to cover the additional costs of production and transmission. In states where green marketing or green pricing is not available, consumers may buy green tags to support renewable energy.

5. Make your home energy efficient.
Get a home energy audit offered by many utility companies. You can save money by making sure your house is well insulated. Check for drafts around doors and windows. See that the attic has sufficient insulation. Check for the Energy Star label when you buy appliances. Use long-lasting florescent bulbs to save energy. Unplug unused freezers. Cut off power on TV's and computers when they are not in use. Install solar hot water and solar panels to save energy and money in the long run. Net metering laws allow you to sell excess power to the utility company.

6. Plant trees.
Plant trees on your property to store carbon and provide shade, saving air-conditioning costs. Plant trees in public places and support reforestation efforts. The trees will store atmospheric carbon as long as they are growing. When the trees are cut or die, carbon is released back to the atmosphere. Make sure the reforestation programs you support are not monoculture plantations that require pesticides and herbicides killing wildlife. Supporting reforestation can improve lives and communities, improve water storage and quality, moderate storm runoff, improve wildlife habitat, and provide construction materials and sustenance.