SEPA
What You Can Do to Reduce Carbon Pollution
Climate change is a serious threat to the health and welfare of our families and our future. Many
of your friends and neighbors are already taking actions to reduce the carbon pollution that
contributes to climate change. The time to act is now. Here is what you can do:
Buy right.
When making purchases, big or small, make efficiency a priority.
You'll be saving money every day over the life of the product and
reducing carbon pollution.
•	Look for the labels! Purchase products
that are energy efficient enough to
have earned the ENERGY STAR label.
Similarly, purchase products such as
toilets, faucets, and showerheads that
are water-efficient, and have earned the
the WaterSense label.
•	Purchase a fuel-efficient car. Check out
www.fueleconomy.gov to find the best, most comprehensive
information on vehicle emissions and fuel economy. When you're at
the dealership, check out the Gasoline Vehicle Label to learn more
about a car's fuel economy and impact on the environment. The new
Used Vehicle Label provides fuel economy and carbon emissions
information for used cars too.


| ENERGYSTAR|
A household equipped
with ENERGY STAR
certified products can
reduce greenhouse gas
emissions by 107,000
pounds and save $9,300
on utility bills over the life
of these products.
Fuel Economy and Environment
Fuel Economy C OWO
I—L MPfi Small SUVs range horn 16 to 32 MPG ^OU S9V6
*26 V"	 $1-850
¦¦¦ ;*£, in fuel costs
over 5 years
3.8,.....—
Annual fuel COStl
$2,150
I Fuel Economy & Greenhouse Gas Rating / Smog Rating
a 9 ej " p "



Green your home.
These easy home management habits can rack up your savings and reduce your household carbon footprint.
•	Heat and cool smartly. Use a programmable thermostat, and reduce air conditioning and heating
when possible—for example when your family is at work and school, or on vacation. Use a licensed
contractor to perform annual maintenance of your heating and cooling equipment. Seal and insulate
your home—use caulk and weather stripping, and add insulation to your attic or seal your home's
envelope to help block out heat and cold.
•	Use water efficiently. Turn off the water while brushing your
teeth. Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load of
dishes. Only water the lawn when needed, and do it during the
early morning.
•	Reduce, reuse, recycle. Reduce the amount of waste you
generate. Recycle your newspapers, beverage containers, paper,
and other goods. Compost your food and yard waste.
October 2013
It takes lots of energy
to pump, treat, and heat
water, so saving water
reduces carbon pollution.

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What You Can Do to Reduce Carbon Pollution (Cont.)
Green your ride.
A little transportation savvy will take you far in reducing
carbon pollution.
•	Drive smart. Go easy on the brakes and gas pedal—avoid
hard accelerations. Reduce the time spent idling (no more than
30 seconds). Remove unnecessary items from your trunk to
reduce weight. And, use cruise control if you have it.
•	Maintain your car. Get regular tune-ups, check your tire
pressure regularly, and use the recommended grade of motor oil.
Also consider purchasing tires with "low rolling resistance," an
energy-saving feature.
•	Give your car a break. Use public transportation, carpool,
walk, or bike. Consider telecommuting and combining errands
so you take fewer trips.
Personalize.
Use EPA's Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to
measure your carbon footprint and discover actions you
can take to save money and reduce carbon pollution.
www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/ind-calculator.html
Learn more at www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd
Leaving your car at home
just two days a week can
reduce carbon emissions
by an average of two tons
per year.
October 2013

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