“Warming” Family Ideas

•  Lighting – replacing one 75 watt incandescent bulb with a 19-watt compact fluorescent can cut 55 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Assign your math-loving child the task of determining how many light bulbs you need to replace and the reduction in emissions. Engage children in budgeting for purchases and replacement.

•  Power strips – used for computers, televisions, radios or other electronics continually emit power even when turned off. Each night, time your children while they run around the house turning off the strips.

•  Heating and cooling – assign a child to monitor the temperature in the house and whether people are too hot or too cold.

•  Travel – learn to do errands by foot, bike, or public transport. This can be far more interactive than sitting in your car.

•  Recycling – help your children understand what is recyclable in your city and then make them part of the cleaning and sorting. Visit a recycling plant for those items your city does not pick up and help your kids understand the process.