#1: It will substantially reduce your carbon footprint.

#2: It will reduce green house gases.

#3: It will keep more money in your wallet.

#4: It is the first place you must start if you are planning to switch to renewable energy for your home.

So as you can see, energy conservation has many benefits.

Water leaks can cost you more than you may think. Not only do you have to pay for the water that was wasted, leaks can cause structural damage and mold and mildew. So let’s conserve water by finding plumbing leaks.

If you are on a community water system you can monitor how much water you are using through the water meter. Another thing a water meter can tell you is if you have a water leak, and how much water is leaking. To use your water meter to tell if you have a leak. turn off the water everywhere in the house. Make sure you don’t forget to turn off the automatic ice maker, and the reverse osmosis system. Now go to the water meter and record what the reading is. Leave everything off for several hours. Now take another look at the meter. If it reads the same there isn’t a leak. If, however, the meter reads differently then you know that you have a water leak somewhere. You can tell how much water leaked by subtracting the first reading you took from the second one.

Most water meters measure in cubic feet. A cubic foot of water contains 71/2 gallons of water.

If the meter readings were different you need to discover where the leak is and repair it. If you can’t do this on your own than hire a professional.

You will be surprised how much water you can conserve by finding plumbing leaks.

According to a recent article in The Washington Post China appears to be the world leader in Green Energy Technology. China is spending 10 times what the U.S. is spending on clean power as a percentage of gross domestic product. This even though the U.S. Economy is still 1.5 times larger than the Chinese economy.

Now excuse me for saying this but , THIS IS PATHETIC!! Some of the greatest innovations in the world have come from the minds and hands of Americans. The government of this country needs to step up to the plate and start offering some serious economic incentives for developing new renewable resource technologies. Instead they would rather give the money in tax breaks to some of the most serious offenders when it comes to clean energy.

Two trillion dollars a year are at stake and steadily climbing. That’s right $2,000,000,000,000.00 a year. (Figure from The Washington Post)

That could put a serious dent in the national deficit, could it not? Unless this current Administration starts to put some serious incentives out for research and development, we will find ourselves the third world country looking abroad at the new super powers, and wondering what happened.

America does lag behind other nations in Alternative energy research. Unless we want to find our selves as the burger flippers of the world we need to get to work.

One of the first and most important tasks would be to start reviewing our options for renewable energy sources for the home. Renewable resources produce far less carbon, thus reducing green house gases. They also are in the long run much easier on the pocketbook.

Traditionally solar panels and the system to harness them have been very expensive. If you have a system installed or purchase the components and assemble the system yourself, this is still the case. Remember, however, that you are making an investment that will pay for itself over and over again.

Many people with the way the economy has been have decided to take a different route. They have decided to build thier own systems from scratch. The savings in choosing this route are pretty incredible.

There are two different systems that are fairly easy to build yourself. A solar panel system, or a wind turbine system. Which one you choose will depend on  your location.

When gasses get trapped in the environment and cannot escape this can cause a temperature increase eventually.  Climate change is a natural occurrence and would occur without human activity; however, humans are emitting high levels of carbon dioxide into the environment from man made sources such as cars, homes, appliances, and many other contributing sources.

Although climate change is still considered a controversial subject, most people are starting to realize there is an imminent threat.  Popular celebrities are bringing temperature change into the limelight and giving it attention.

Most people know about recycling and car emission reduction, but you need to know who you are doing business with.  Make sure that the products you purchase are used with recyclable materials and do business with the companies that are supporting the environment.  Wind and solar power are getting more attention everyday and more research is being done.

The one thing that is still uncertain about climate change is when it will happen.  Many experts claim that we are already seeing the affects of temperature change and it is a slow process, however if we keep consuming the way we do we will make global warming become a dangerous situation sooner.  It is up to us to do our part to help make future generations safe.

It is up to each and every individual to help slow down the process of global warming.  You need to arm yourself with knowledge in order to combat this problem.  You need to do your own homework to help familiarize yourself with the facts.  There is a lot of information available to help you understand this process and your role in it.

Appliances in our homes are using electricity and emitting carbon even when they are not in use.  If you simply unplug them at night or when you are at work, this is a great small step you can take that will not cost you a penny.  It will in fact save you on your electricity consumption.

Planting trees and shrubs around your home can help keep your home cool in the summer.  Trees and shrubs also absorb carbon monoxide and this can help the air you breathe and your environment.  There are many types of greenery to choose from and you can find something that will fit your taste.

Environmental changes are happening and it is up to each and every individual to do something about it.  If we all do our part we can significantly make a difference in our future.  It doesn’t take a lot of time or money and almost anyone can make small changes.

You should always start with basic recycling.  This is a very simple change that will boast immediate results.  You can recycle paper, plastic, and aluminum.  You can make a designated area for each type of recycling material and if they are clearly marked, everyone in the family will easily be able to participate.

If your city does not offer recycling, many schools will benefit if you drop off your recyclables at their location.  This benefits the school and the environment and both are very important.

Solar or wind power is a great alternative to traditional power and can also save you a ton of money.  Solar power can be expensive to install, but should be considered an investment as it helps the environment and the payoffs will be seen in the long run.  Solar or wind power can also make a homeowner feel liberated and independent.

When you decide to go green there are many small steps you can take to help climate change.  You do not have to go out and do everything at once, just take it one step at a time and you will be contributing to a change that will be felt for generations to come.

Global warming is causing the planets temperature to rise steadily.  As the temperature rises, the ice on the earth begins to melt and this in turn raises the sea level.  This can cause devastating things in the future and it is up to us to help slow this process.

There is not a way to stop this entirely, but there are many ways consumers can help make this process happen slower than what is currently is now.  We are wasting so many resources that we are constantly polluting our environment.  Something as simple as changing to energy saving light bulbs in the home can help combat this major problem.

If you are going somewhere and can walk or carpool instead of driving your car, this is another great way to contribute to the solution.  Hybrid cars are gaining popularity and interest by many consumers. There are many models on the market now and more choices than ever for all tastes and budgets.

If we do nothing global warming will affect us sooner than we think.  Some cities that are currently below sea level may be overwhelmingly flooded causing many national tragedies around the world.  Although we can never completely stop climate change, it is up to us to give the next generation the tools needed to slow down the process.

You can do many things to help the environment in your own home.  The lighting you use in your home can play a big part in how you contribute.  If you simply change all of your lighting to compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) you can help make a difference.

You should also unplug your appliances when they are not in use.  This may seem silly to most, but all appliances emit carbon when they are plugged in.  Unplugging appliances is also a great way to save electricity.

There has never been an easier time to recycle.  Many cities offer curbside recycling programs and you simply put your materials in a bin by the curb and a service will come and pick up your recycling for you.  If the particular city you live in does not offer this service there are many schools and churches that have bins outdoors to place your materials.

If you are ready to purchase a new car, you might consider an electric or hybrid as your next model.  These types of cars are becoming more affordable every day.

Global warming is here to stay and there are many things we can do as consumers to help and slow the process.  We owe this to our future generations to provide them a stable place to live.