By now just about everyone has heard or read about the overwhelming concern surrounding global warming or climate change. This topic continues to be controversial as not everyone is convinced that this phenomenon is actually occurring. Even meteorologists cannot agree as to whether this phenomenon is real or not. Despite the controversy, it makes sense that we should take care of our environment. It makes sense that we should do all we can not to waste energy and to conserve it as much as we can.

‘Conserving’ is not something that our country is accustomed to doing. We are a ‘throw away society.’ We are also a driving society—we love our vehicles. We love the independence of driving where we need to go. The average person commutes at least one half hour to work every day. Most of us do not want to rely on public transportation, while many of us cannot rely on public transportation. Despite our personal habits and comforts, we are all called to be good stewards of the Earth. This type of stewardship is something that our church has called us to in our most recent history. So, what can you do to help reduce carbon emissions and conserve energy? Below is a list of some very small and practical things that you can do to help.

• Be a smart driver. Make sure that your tires are well inflated, have the oil in your car changed regularly and get regular tune ups. This will help maintain your car’s fuel efficiency.
• Support and buy clean, renewable energy. Many companies are now providing ways for you to purchase energy that is produced by renewable sources like wind energy. I live in New York, and have gone with a company that provides electricity that is generated from wind power.
• Replace the current light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs are more expensive, however, they draw about one quarter of the amount of electricity as normal bulbs and they last longer. Many of them last for seven years.
• Insulate and weatherproof your home. Also, lower your thermostat. Some sources say that for each degree you lower your thermostat you will save three percent on your energy bill.
• Conserve water by installing low flow shower heads and faucets. Also turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. This not only conserves water but can also save you about fifty percent in hot water costs.
• Recycle.
• Plant trees. If you plant them around your home they can provide shade and may help to keep your home cool during the summer, reducing your reliance on air conditioning.
• Write your elected officials and urge them to pass legislation that raises the fuel efficiency of vehicles in this country.
• Purchase energy efficient appliances. My wife and I were at a department store this past weekend looking at new washers and dryers. The manufacturers have done some wonderful things to their appliances to make them more energy efficient. One example is that many washers spin down the load, thereby extracting more water from the clothes. This makes it easier for the dryer to do its job in less time, thus saving energy. Look for appliances with the energy star logo. This takes the guess work out of whether an appliance is more energy efficient or not.
• Unplug your small appliances like toasters and hair dryers when not in use. Even when appliances such as these are not being used they are still drawing electricity. Unplugging them will help conserve energy. There are now power strips on the market that allow you to plug your appliances into the strip and just turn the strip off. Once the power strip is switched off the appliances no longer draw energy. The average cost for one of these power strips is about fifteen dollars, but you will recoup the cost over time by the energy you save.