Tell Ten People To Cut Their Emissions

If you are an American reading this post, you probably emit 10,000 pounds of carbon ever year into the environment.  Would you like to improve that statistic?  Then join the power of 10.

This grass-roots organization is based on a simple idea: it encourages individuals to reduce carbon emissions by 2,000 pounds each year and then tell 10 people how they can do the same thing.  These 10 people tell ten more, and so on, so the effort expands exponentially.

Are you ready to take the one-ton challenge?

The power of 10 website lists the things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint, such as installing compact fluorescent bulbs, using warm or cold water to wash clothes rather than hot, and making sure the tires on your car are inflated.

Founder Robin Sheerer encourages would-be environmentalists to cut their own emissions and then reach out to their communities–neighbors, friends, family members, coworkers, other church or synagogue members–to get everyone involved in carbon emission reduction.  “We have to have a bigger view than our own backyard,” said Ms. Sheerer.

Working together not only helps spread the word, it also provides encouragement as we change our lifestyles to benefit our planet.  But it will take some time.  “This is a long-distance run,” Robin said.  “There is so much work to be done.”

Photo used with permission of Leonski at flickrcreativecommons.