The technology already exists to reduce our greenhouse-gas emissions substantially. There is a lot you can do as a Rotarian, a business leader and an individual.

Steps for Rotarians

Rotary's model of service through fellowship gives us uniquely powerful ways of helping to solve the climate crisis.  Click here for things you and your Rotary club can do.

Steps for Businesses

Fortune 500 businesses are reducing their carbon emissions. You can do the same within your own company. You'll save energy costs and ensure that your company stays ahead of the government regulations that are likely to come with increased concerns about climate change. There are several steps you can take:

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient fluorescent or LED (light-emitting diode) lighting.

• Shut off lights during non-working hours. Install timers or sensors to turn off lights in areas not being used.

• Switch off or unplug computers and other energy-using devices when not in use.

• Conserve heating and cooling by turning down systems after working hours. Don't heat or cool less-frequented areas.

• Have your heating and cooling systems serviced regularly to ensure efficiency.

• Generate employee enthusiasm about saving energy. Publicize your efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Poll your employees about whether they think energy is being wasted and in what ways. Challenge them to think about how they can conserve energy. Offer your employees incentives to reduce their own carbon footprint, such as subsidies for hybrid cars, car pools or using public transit.

• Make the switch to renewable energy:

If your local power grid allows it, buy your electricity from a sustainable source such as wind, solar, or geothermal power. See the Federal EPA's free PDF Guide to Purchasing Green Power.

If your grid does not offer that option, buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset your company's consumption of fossil-fuel electricity. By buying a REC, you subsidize a wind, solar or geothermal power provider to produce electricity without burning fossil fuels. That reduces the power grid's overall greenhouse-gas emissions. To make sure the carbon reductions are real, choose "Green-e Climate" certified RECs.