All Canadians contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the actions of individual Canadians account for about 28% of Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions.

That's almost six tonnes per person per year - enough to fill six two-story houses! Every time we turn on a light, hop in the car, start up a computer, or do anything that uses energy, we are responsible for producing greenhouse gases.

But if we're part of the problem, we also can be part of the solution. At home, on the road, and at work, there are simple things we can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions - and save energy and money in the process!

How You Can Take Action Now

10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your GHG Emissions:

1. Don’t Idle
   Idling for 10 minutes a day can produce about a quarter tonne of CO2 emissions each year and cost you about $70 in wasted fuel. Visit Idle-Free Zone at www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling/home.cfm
   
   
2. Use Public Transit
   One city bus filled with passengers can take 40 vehicles off the road and keep about 50 tonnes of GHGs out of the atmosphere each year.
   
   
3. Check your vehicle’s tire pressure once a month
   About 70% of cars and light trucks on the road have at least one tire that is over or under-inflated which can reduce the life of the tire and increase fuel consumption. By maintaining proper tire pressure, you could reduce your GHGs by at least 1/8 of a tonne each year and save at least $50 in fuel costs.
   
   
4. Install storm windows
   Windows can account for up to 25% of total house heat loss.
   
   
5. Use ENERGY STAR®- qualified appliances
   A 2002 model EnergyStar qualified refrigerator uses less than half the electricity of a unit built ten years ago, and can reduce your GHG's by 1/10 of a tonne each year.
   
   
6. Using caulking and weather stripping to seal all leaks around doors, windows, and cracks where heat escapesfrom your home can save up to 20% on your heating bill and reduce your GHG emissions by up to half a tonne. All of the cracks and gaps in the average house, added together, are equal to a 1.5 square foot hole.
   
   
7. Use ENERGY STAR® -qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs
   They last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy than regular incandescent light bulbs. Replacing five regular light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent lightbulbs will reduce your GHG emissions by 1/8 tonne and save about $30 each year.
   
   
8. Recycle or compost as much as possible to reduce solid waste going to landfills.
   
   
9. Keep to the speed limit.
   Driving at 100 km/h burns 10 per cent more fuel than driving at 90 km/h. On the highway, use cruise control to maintain a steady speed and reduce fuel consumption.
   
   
10. Install low-flow showerheads and fix leaky or dripping facets to conserve hot water. A low-flow showerhead uses 60% less water than standard fixtures.