2009 updates coming soon!

• Though accounting for only 5 percent of the world's population, Americans consume 26 percent of the world's energy.
• The United States is the world's largest single emitter of carbon dioxide, accounting for 23 percent of energy- related carbon emissions.
• America uses about 15 times more energy per person than does the typical developing country.
• Only 1/10 of ALL garbage in the U.S. gets recycled.
• 1/3 of the waste generated in the U.S. is packaging.
• 5 million tons of extra waste is generated during the holidays. (4 million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags.)
• Americans receive 4 million tons of junk mail every year. Most of it ends up in landfills.
• Each American uses 650 pounds of paper in a year.
• Americans toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times.
• 4 quarts of oil, an average oil change, could contaminate 1 million gallons of water.
• Enough hazardous waste (paint, cleaners, etc.) is generated in 1 year to fill the New Orleans Superdome 1,500 times.
• In 1 day, Americans get rid of 20,000 cars and 4,000 trucks and buses.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

• Switch to a green energy plan

  • Reduces building emissions from electricity
• Install energy-efficient water systems

  • Reduce household emissions by up to 30%
• Install solar panels

  • Decrease household electricity dependence
• Buy 100% recycled paper

  • Save trees
• Use triple-A rated shower-heads

  • Use less water
• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs ( CFLs )

  • They use 60% less electricity than standard incandescent bulbs
• Walk, cycle, carpool, use public transportation
• Recycle at home, work, and school

  • If you recycle ½ of your waste at home, you conserve 2,400 lbs of CO2
• Plant a tree

  • A single tree will absorb over one ton of CO2 in its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10-15%.
• Insulate your home

  • Proper insulation can take off 25% of heating bills
• Use less hot water

  • Shorter showers, put a brick in your toilet reservoir
• Reuse water bottles and shopping bags
• Properly inflate your car's tires

  • Drive less, and drive the speed limit also, and you will save money on gas
• Move your thermostat up 2 degrees in the Summer and down 2 degrees in the Winter

  • Cuts annual electricity costs and emissions
• Avoid heavily packaged products (especially Styrofoam)

  • Save 1,200lbs of CO2 if you cut down on garbage by 10%, save landfill space
• Unplug electronics when not in use
• Buy organic food

  • If all corn and soybeans were grown organically, we would remove 580 billion pounds of CO2 from the atmosphere annually
• Write to a politician about climate change
• Change the world