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How can each of us live Cooler Smarter? While the routine decisions that shape our days—what to have for dinner, where to shop, how to get to work—may seem small, collectively they have a big effect on global warming. But which changes in our lifestyles might make the biggest difference to the climate? This science-based guide shows you the most effective ways to cut your own global warming emissions by twenty percent or more, and explains why your individual contribution is so vital to addressing this global problem.
Cooler Smarter is based on an in-depth, two-year study by the experts at The Union of Concerned Scientists. While other green guides suggest an array of tips, Cooler Smarter offers proven strategies to cut carbon, with chapters on transportation, home energy use, diet, personal consumption, as well as how best to influence your workplace, your community, and elected officials. The book explains how to make the biggest impact and when not to sweat the small stuff. It also turns many eco-myths on their head, like the importance of locally produced food or the superiority of all hybrid cars.
The advice in Cooler Smarter can help save you money and live healthier. But its central purpose is to empower you, through low carbon-living, to confront one of society’s greatest threats.
“Finally, an excellent, short, and readable book that is replete with examples of what each of us can do to improve our lives and, at the same time, reduce our carbon footprint by using energy more efficiently. Whatever your view may be about climate change projections, there are no good arguments that favor wasting energy and launching the world's climate into an uncertain future.”
— Neal Lane
“eco-myth-busting guide to green living….makes a plaintive call to action, arguing that climate change has reached a dire point because of human use of heat-trapping fossil fuels.”
“Finally, an excellent, short, and readable book that is replete with examples of what each of us can do to improve our lives and, at the same time, reduce our carbon footprint by using energy more efficiently. Whatever your view may be about climate change projections, there are no good arguments that favor wasting energy and launching the world's climate into an uncertain future.”
“Cooler Smarter provides great advice backed by data, analysis, and examples. I was surprised how only a few simple steps can cut your environmental footprint by 20 percent—and most of those steps don’t involve sacrifice, but rather pay for themselves and help you lead a healthier life. I plan on implementing several of these strategies and hope others do, too!”
“We can break our addiction to fossil fuels, stave off the worst of global warming, and generate quality jobs that allow us to support our families and build for the future—but only if we work together and each of us does our part. This smart, sensible, and easy-to-use book lays out the most effective steps each of us can take right now.”
“It's doubly important now for each of us to act to reduce our carbon footprints because Washington is doing so little. I love this book--a smart, accessible, clear-headed guide that we can all follow.”
“This accessible, science-based book gives each of us the information we need to do our part to reduce our carbon emissions. This is the smart tool for action many of us have been waiting for.”
“A wonderful guide to smarter energy use and a cooler planet that shows how each and every one of us can contribute part of the solution for a better future. Splendidly written, accessible, and essential for any citizen—both virtually and metaphorically cool.”
“Clear, readable, and genuinely smart, Cooler Smarter answers the question concerned citizens everywhere are asking: What can we do to make a difference?”
Foreword ix
Part I Thinking about Your Climate Choices
1 Can One Person Make a Difference? 3
2 Sweat the Right Stuff 13
3 The Weight of the Evidence: How We Know the Planet Is Warming 27
Part II Making Effective Climate Choices
4 Driving Down Emissions 51
5 Home Is Where the Heat Is 83
6 Taking Charge of Electricity at Home 109
7 A Low-Carbon Diet 137
8 The Right Stuff 159
Part III Rescuing the Future
9 Step Up, Connect, Transform 181
10 Stepping Up at Work 197
11 Making Government Work for Us 215
12 Welcome to Our Low-Carbon Future 237
Acknowledgments 247
Appendix A Resources 249
Appendix B Our Paths to 20: Team Member Statements about Reducing Our Own Carbon Footprints 257
Appendix C An Explanation of Our Research and Analysis Methodology 263
Appendix D Research Results 271
Notes 277
About the Authors 303
Index 309
Overview
How can each of us live Cooler Smarter? While the routine decisions that shape our days—what to have for dinner, where to shop, how to get to work—may seem small, collectively they have a big effect on global warming. But which changes in our lifestyles might make the biggest difference to the climate? This science-based guide shows you the most effective ways to cut your own global warming emissions by twenty percent or more, and explains why your individual contribution is so ...