​Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.​
—Mark Twain

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1.  Become aware.  Figure out your carbon footprint and find out how your lifestyle stacks up.  Check out these websites for more information on Climate Change:

350.org

Chasing Ice

Climate Rockford



2.  Green your commute - bike, take public trans-

potation, buy a fuel efficient vehicle.  Make sure your

vehicle is properly maintained and has sufficient air

pressure for maximum efficiency. Biking to school or

work helps keep carbon out of the atmosphere and keeps

you fit.  



3.  Eat local - Did you know that food travels an average

of 1,500 miles to reach your plate?  That's a lot of fossil

fuel.  There are many opportuniteis to buy local.  Visit the University of Illinois extention's 2013 Local Foods Directory to find your farmer.  Local Harvest is another great site to find Community Supported Agriculture Farms (CSAs) and farmer's markets in your area.  Use less energy (and save time!) when you cook by cooking in a slow cooker.  



4.  Join 350.org's mailing list to stay informed and take action!



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5.  Call or write the President and tell him you oppose the Keystone Pipeline, a game-changer for Climate Change.

202-456-1111
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The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500



6.  Contact your church, college, or alma mater and convince them to DIVEST in oil. Visit 350.org for more info.



7.  Contact senators and representatives and tell them you want clean energy

and oppose dirty coal, fracking & subsidies for oil companies. Find your politicians here.
 



8.  Be energy efficient

You already switch off lights — what's next?

Change light bulbs to compact fluorescents or

LEDs. Unplug computers, TVs and other

electronics when not in use. Wash clothes in

cold or warm (not hot) water. Dryers are energy

hogs, so hang dry when you can. Install a

programmable thermostat. Look for the Energy

Star® label when buying new appliances. And a

home energy audit is cheaper than you think —

book one today to find even more ways to save

energy.



9.  Choose renewable power

Ask your utility to switch your account to clean, renewable power, such as from wind farms. If it doesn't offer this option yet, ask.



10.  Trim your waste

Garbage buried in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Keep stuff out of landfills by composting kitchen scraps and garden trimmings, and recycling paper, plastic, metal and glass. Let store managers and manufacturers know you want products with minimal or recyclable packaging.



 

11.  Fly less
Air travel leaves behind a huge carbon footprint. Before you book your next airline ticket, consider greener options such as buses or trains, or try vacationing closer to home. You can also stay in touch with people by videoconferencing, which saves time as well as travel and accommodation costs.



12.  Join one of Forest City 350's Action Groups.

 

13. For more ideas, visit Climate Rockford's website.