On April 6, 2006, we will host our day-long annual Earth Day celebration.  Among the many featured activities will be an educational game for all to play called "15 Steps to a Better World." 

Students from Physical Science 131, and other classes, will contributing their own research to help make this an educational experience for the entire campus.  Science Instructor Poghos Kazarian is our Faculty Advisor on this project.  Dr. Kazarian will facilitate a Rap Session during our Earth Day fair on April 6, 2002.

1. Become carbon neutral.  Support the emerging public projects that fund greenhouse gas reduction programs.  By joining these grassroots campaigns, you can "offset"  the emissions from your home, apartment, car and airplace flights and become "carbon neutral."  Easy to use websites include www.CarbonCounter.org and www.CarbonFund.org.  If you really want to be an exemplary environmentalist, you should offset the entire 26 tons of CO2 that an average American is responsible for each year.  

2. Drive Smart, or Bike or Walk!  A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gasoline-cutting pollution and saving money at the pump. If you have two cars, drive the one with better gas mileage whenever possible. Better yet, skip the drive and take public transit, walk, or bicycle when you can.

3. Write your leaders now. Urge them to use existing technology to raise fuel economy standards to 40 miles per gallon.  It's the biggest single step we can take to curb global warming. Taking this step would save nearly 4 million barrels of oil a day. And you could save $2,000 at the pump over the life of your car.

4. Sign up for Green Power.  Renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, can reduce our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the largest source of global warming pollution in the United States.  Check with your local utility.  If you live in Los Angeles, call LADWP (800-473-3652) and sign up for Green Power.  Glendale Water and Power also offers a Green Power Service Rate as well (818-548-3300).  This is the single most effective thing you can do. 

5. Save energy at home.  Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use about a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long.  Caulk and weather-stripping on doorways and windows. Adjust your thermostat.  Raise it in the summer for air  conditioning savings. Increase roof and wall insulation.  To save heating bills see www.socalgas.com. Finally, ask your utility company to do a free energy audit of your home to show you how to save even more.

6. Become a smart water consumer.  Install low-flow showerheads and faucets.  Then turn your hot water heater down to 120ºF and see hot-water costs go down by as much as 50%.

7. Buy energy-efficient electronics and appliances.  Replacing an old refrigerator or an air conditioner with an energy-efficient model saves electricity bill and cuts global warming. Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances or visit their website at www.energystar.gov. Get rebates, see www.ladwp.com for details or call 1 800 246 0441 for free pick up service, or check your own utility's website for home appliance rebates.

8. Plant a Tree, protect a forest. Planting shade trees around your house absorbs CO2, and reduces air-conditioning bills.  Call LADWP to have FREE shade trees delivered to your house 800-473-3652.

9. Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!  Producing new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 to 90 percent of the energy and pollution, including CO2, that would result if the product came from virgin materials.  And please...buy recycled products!

10. Mount a local campaign against global warming.  Educate your community about how it can cut global warming pollution and become a Cool City : www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/coolcities  Support measures at the national, state, and local level that:

• Make automobiles go further on a gallon of gas;

• Accelerate the use of clean, renewable energy  sources, such as solar and wind;

• Increase energy efficiency and conservation; and

• Preserve forests around the world.

11. Buy less. Consumerism is a pattern of behavior that helps to destroy our environment, personal financial health, and human institutions.  See www.verdant.net  for info on how to reduce consumerism.

12. Grow your own food, and buy local produce to save transportation fuel. And compost your food scraps.

13. Install solar panels on your roof.

14. Get Connected! Sign up for regular updates, such as the Sierra Club's global warming action network: www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/e-newsletter/

15. Educate your business, church and school about how they can save money and the planet.  Get your company to become carbon neutral by using the Climate Neutral Network: www.climateneutral.com

"15 Steps to a Better World" was developed by GCC  Exhibit Coordinator, Nalini Lasiewicz, and is based on the Action List compiled by Jim Stewart of Earth Day L.A./People for Parks.  Mr. Stewart is supporting the GCC Eco-Fest as a special advisor. For complete summary of these links click on Related Links.

For more information on GCC Eco-Fest contact: Nalini Lasiewicz, (818) 240-1000 ext. 1534.  Email:  nalinil@glendale.edu  

Glendale Community College
1500 North Verdugo Road
Glendale , CA   91208