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For background reading on climate change and energy, see...
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Climate Change
Fast Facts about Climate Change
- Gases (including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) in Earth's atmosphere trap energy from the sun near Earth's surface. This is called the “greenhouse effect” because the gases act like a greenhouse by keeping Earth warm. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
- Approximately 75% of greenhouse gases released as a result of human activities in the past 20 years are from burning fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, natural gas). (Energy Information Administration)
- Carbon dioxide is the most important greenhouse gas released as a result of human activities. It stays in the atmosphere a long time. Current atmospheric levels far exceed the natural range for carbon dioxide over the past 650,000 years. (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
- Eleven of the twelve years from 1995 to 2006 are among the twelve warmest years of global surface temperatures on record since 1850 (the onset of industrialization). (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)
- Sea level is already rising due to oceans warming and glaciers melting, both of which are linked to climate change. This could lead to increased coastal flooding and storm damage. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
- Burning one gallon of gasoline produces approximately 20 pounds of carbon dioxide! (Energy Information Administration)
Quick Actions to Mitigate Climate Change
- Walk or bike to school
Organize a walk- or bike-to-school day to raise awareness about greenhouse gas emissions from transportation that relies on fossil fuels.
- Launch an anti-idling campaign
Idling cars and schoolbuses pollute the air with hazardous fumes and emit greenhouse gases. Start a campaign at your school to encourage drivers to turn off their engines when waiting to pick up passengers. Find information, tips, and a toolkit at the U.S. EPA's National Idle-Reduction Campaign.
- Get involved in Cool Cities
Lobby your local leaders to join the Cool Cities campaign to curb global warming, or help your city turn its pledge into action by pushing for clean energy solutions. The initiative, launched by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, encourages cities to work to meet Kyoto Protocol greenhouse gas emissions targets.
- Join the Virtual March
This non-partisan grassroots movement demands solutions to global warming. A virtual march is an internet-based campaign to publicize concerns about climate change and build citizen momentum for lasting solutions.
- Plant trees
Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, keeping much of the carbon dioxide released from human activities out of the atmosphere. For directions on how to plant a tree, and to participate in a worldwide effort to plant a billion trees each year, see the Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.
- Buy organic and locally grown food
Modern agriculture requires energy to produce chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, and products grown far away require transportation that relies on fossil fuels.
- Join the One Million Bulb Swap-Out
Pledge to switch from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than standard incandescent bulbs. Each bulb can save you $30 or more during its lifetime, while reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions released.
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