Cut your "carbs": global warming is a hot topic these days. Here are some simple way to reduce your carbon footprint

It's time to go on a diet--a carbon diet, that is. Instead of counting calories, environmentalists, forward-thinking business owners and even ordinary folk are calculating how big their carbon footprint is. What is a carbon footprint? It's the amount of carbon dioxide (C[O.sub.2]) thrust into the atmosphere based on day-to-day activities like driving, heating our homes and even gardening. As C[O.sub.2] accumulates in the atmosphere, it creates a blanket around the Earth that prevents excess heat from escaping into space.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, C[O.sub.2] emissions during the past 10 years were the highest in history, nudging the temperature up nearly a half a degree. While that doesn't sound like much, bear in mind that a change of even a few degrees can cause ice caps to melt, oceans to rise, unseasonable heat waves, longer periods of drought and increasingly intense storms--events we are beginning to see now that will have a devastating impact on future generations.

Fortunately, each of us can help reduce the world's growing carbon load. To calculate your C[O.sub.2] contribution, go to stopglobalwarming.org. Once you know your carbon footprint, you can begin reducing it with the simple changes listed here.

Get with the Program

Install a programmable thermostat to heat and cool your home. Setting your thermostat up 2 degrees in the summer and down 2 degrees in the winter can save 350 lb. of C[O.sub.2] annually or 2 percent on your heating bill.

Clear the Air

Clean or replace air filters in your home monthly. A clean filter can save 175 lb. of C[O.sub.2] per year.

Shed Some Light

Switch out conventional light bulbs for compact fluorescents (CF). Changing just one 75-watt bulb to a CF bulb cuts roughly 1,300 lb. of C[O.sub.2].

Green Your Beauty Routine

Many of the ingredients in conventional store cosmetics and personal care products are derived from petroleum. Stocking your bathroom with botanically based products can keep you looking good without relying on chemicals.

Go for Less Grass

Using a power lawn mower for an hour produces as much pollution as 40 late-model cars driving for the same amount of time Try creating a lawn area small enough to be mowed using an efficient push mower. You'll eliminate emissions and get some exercise, too.

Paint Your house

Planting shade trees and painting your home a light color if you live in a warm climate or a dark color in a cold climate can save up to 5,000 lb. of C[O.sub.2] per year. Plus, each tree you plant absorbs about 25 lb. of C[O.sub.2] from the air annually.

Eat Locally

Instead of buying grapes from Mexico or cheese from Vermont, check out your local farmers' market. Although many of the foods are seasonal, they are considerably fresher than their conventional counterparts that have traveled across the country.

Go Organic

Unlike organic food, conventional food is often grown with petroleum-based fertilizers and pesticides. You'll reduce your C[O.sub.2] emissions, and enjoy tastier and more nutritious food.

Pump It Up

Check the tires on your car to make sure they are inflated to the manufacturers' recommendation. You could save up to 250 lb. of C[O.sub.2] and a whopping $840 in gas per year.

Limit Your Driving

Reduce your driving by 20 miles per week and you'll save about 900 lb. of C[O.sub.2] each year.

Shop with the Planet in Mind

In the market for a new car? Opt for a hybrid, which can get up to 61 miles per gallon. If you aren't quite ready to make the leap to a hybrid, check terrapass.com to calculate other vehicles' C[O.sub.2] emissions.

Stay Grounded

Flying eats up enormous amounts of fuel, resulting in the greatest climate change impact of any type of transportation. Vacation closer to home or opt for other types of transportation, like trains or buses. If you must fly, travel during the day. Studies show that flights taken at night have a greater negative impact on the climate.

Give Yourself Some Credit

Since it's next to impossible to live a carbon-free life, you can buy carbon credits to offset the carbon you do create. Carbon offsets are simply credits you purchase to help support C[O.sub.2] emission reductions achieved by wind, solar or other energy-efficiency projects. You can buy carbon credits at many health food stores, renewablechoice.com or terrapass.com.

Get the Facts

Read up on global warming and join the fight to reduce C[O.sub.2] emissions at climatecrisis.net, environmentaldefense.org or stopglobalwarming.org.

HOW BIG IS YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?

* The typical American contributes 50,000 lb. of C[O.sub.2] emissions annually. That's about 140 lb. per person per day.

* Indirectly, Americans are responsible for another 23 tons of C[O.sub.2] annually because of the consumer goods they buy.

* According to the Environmental Defense Fund, US households produce 21 percent of the country's global warming pollution. In fact, the average American household uses 9,000 kilowatt hours of electricity from fossil fuels each year, which has a similar impact on the environment as driving 13.677 miles or chopping down 165 trees.