With climate change a major issue today, it may seem a daunting task to do something about it. Here are some simple ideas to implement at home which will make a huge difference.

1 - Replace an old fridge (at least 10 years old) with an ENERGY STAR fridge. CO2 reduction: 1,045 kilograms a year.

2 - Replace old clothes washer (at least 10 yrs old) with a new ENERGY STAR clothes washer. CO2 reduction: 386 kilograms a year.

3 - Line dry clothes in summer. CO2 reduction: 355 kilograms a year. Line dry clothes all year (using indoor clothes drying rack with the added benefit of additional humidity in the winter.) CO2 reduction: 636 kilograms a year.

4 - Cut standby electric loads in half. (Vampire loads account for 6% of electric usage in the US). CO2 reduction: 136 kilograms a year.

5 - Turn off home office equipment when not in use. CO2 reduction: 64 kilograms a year.

6 - Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Use the energy-saving setting to dry dishes. Don’t use heat when drying. CO2 reduction: 91 kilograms a year.

7 - Don’t overheat or overcool rooms. Adjust your thermostat (lower in winter, higher in summer) CO2 reduction (for each 2-degree adjustment): 227 kilograms a year.

8 - Install programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures. CO2 reduction: 273 kilograms a year.

9 - Caulk and weatherstrip around doors and windows to plug air leaks. CO2 reduction: Up to 614 kilograms a year.

10 - Buy energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs for your most-used lights. CO2 reduction (by replacing one frequently used bulb): about 45 kilograms a year.

11 - Turn off unneeded lights. CO2 reduction: 173 kilograms a year.

12 - Turn down your water heater thermostat; 130 degrees to kill bacteria if you have a dishwasher, otherwise 120 degrees usually hot enough. CO2 reduction (for each 10 degree adjustment): 227 kilograms a year.

13 - Install low-flow showerheads to use less hot water. CO2 reduction: Up to 136 kilograms a year.

14 - Whenever possible walk, bike, carpool or use mass transit. CO2 reduction (for every gallon of gasoline you save): 9 kilograms.

15 - When you buy a car, choose one that gets good gas mileage. CO2 reduction (if your new car gets 10 mpg more than your old one): about 4,545 kilograms a year.

16 - Add solar hot water heating system. CO2 reduction: 682 kilograms a year.