Today is Blog Action Day 2009. This year's topic is Climate Change. Why Climate Change? Climate change affects us all. It's the big picture. You know all the talk about cleaning up and greening up your local environment? Well think that, but on a much larger scale. Let's say an Earthly scale.

What is climate anyway?

Isn't that just the weather? Yes and No. Weather, by definition, is what is happening right now. Climate is what is happening over the long period of time, think adding up all the weather.

*** Blink ***

You know what? I started typing up a nice article about why you should care about climate change, explain what climate change is, and show why it's a bad thing. Well now that I think about it, I don't really care.

Yes it's true, I don't really care about this topic.

When you think about the big picture, at no time will the people, who are supposedly in charge of these things, are going to listen to me.

In the news all you hear about is "carbon off-sets". You know what that is? Big business can dump CO2 into the environment, as long as they plant a tree somewhere. How does that help the climate? It doesn't! The CO2 is still getting dumped into the environment. Planting a tree somewhere, though a wonderful thing, doesn't solve the problem. Just because you are "paying" for the privilege to dump CO2, you are still dumping CO2. Does that make a lick of sense?

Here's what you can do to help you.

Lower your energy costs by

• changing your light bulbs from incandescent to CFL or LED.
• turning off your computer equipment when not in use.
• unplugging your phone chargers when not being used. In fact unplug anything you are not using. Many unused electronics still leach power.
• putting on a sweater this winter, and lowering your thermostat by 5 or so degrees.
• checking for air leaks around your windows and door, and fix them if you can.

Reduce your waste by

• taking a reusable cloth bag when you go shopping instead of getting paper or plastic bags at the store.
• starting a compost pile. Even if you don't garden, you probably know someone who does. They will love you for it.
• recycling your newspapers. Assuming of course you are still reading an actual newspaper. In fact recycle what you can recycle. Find out where your local recycling centers are. If your closest center is a few towns away, get with your friends, and pool your recycling together.

And if you are one of those people care about reducing your carbon foot print:

• Don't drive your car. If the weather's nice, walk or ride a bike. Don't be so lazy.
• Carpool. A whole new reason to make friends.
• Plant lots and lots of trees.