Global Warming

We need to figure out how to live without fossil fuels for two reasons: First, burning fossil fuels remains the biggest contributor to greenhouse gases, the cause of global warming and climate change. Second, the world's supply of oil and natural gas will soon decline, which will result in increased prices. When the price of gasoline reaches $4 per gallon, the price of oil reaches $90 a barrel and natural gas levels off at $12 per million BTU, affordability becomes an issue for everything we do.

Global warming: it's a big topic these days, and people want to know what they can do to help. Most people don't realize it, but one way to reduce global warming is to recycle paper products. Paper recycling helps in the following ways:

Energy Savings-Pulp and paper is the 5th largest industrial energy consumer in the world! Production of recycled paper uses 65% less energy than paper production using raw materials. Reducing energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs
2. Weather proof your home
3. Keep up proper car maintenance including checking your tire pressure
4. Eat locally, buy local grocery products as much as possible
5. Install aerators on water faucets
6. Use recycled paper products
7. Compost all food scraps and yard waste
8. Reduce your driving as much as possible
9. Unplug phone chargers etc when not in use
10. Set your water heater to 120 degrees
11. Buy and install an insulating blanket on your water heater

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Commit to Educating Yourself about Global Warming:

• Read the articles in this Global Warming section.

Environmental change is coming to the historic Mississippi River town of Winona, and that change is coming fast. The summer of 2007 saw the development of a groundbreaking collaboration to integrate sustainable behaviors into the institutional fabric of the community. Demonstrating genuine leadership, all of Winona's major public institutions-the City, the County, Winona State University and the Winona Public Schools, agreed to work together to seek joint certification as an ISO 14001 community.

Is it possible for one of the fastest growing cities in Minnesota to be sustainable? The City of Woodbury has committed to try.

The City of Minneapolis continues to be a national leader on reducing the impact of global warming on our planet. Minneapolis' sustainability work is guided by 24 indicators that measure our progress at creating a sustainable future for our residents. Adopted in 2006, these goals are now integrated into the work of all 18 departments of the City.