Each year more carbon-dioxide pollution is produced by cars and trucks in the United States than by the entire nation of Japan. Avoid short car trips. A car emits 40 percent more carbon dioxide per mile when it's run with a cold engine. Better yet, walk, bike, or use public transportation whenever you can. Plant a tree.
Plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, produce oxygen, and provide shade.
Use green power. In a deregulated electricity market, you'll be able to choose the kind of power you use for the first time. For instance, if all U.S. rooftops were covered with solar shingles, they could supply half to three-quarters of the country's energy needs. To lighten the load on the earth, we need to lower the birth rate and reduce consumption. Here are some ways to change your own life-and to get your government to change, too.