WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has launched a national campaign to help Americans become more energy efficient through Energy Star and also join in the fight against climate change. The campaign, called “Change the World, Start with Energy Star,” helps people make energy-efficient changes at home and at work that can add up to both cost savings and significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

“Through our new ‘Change the World, Start with Energy Star’ campaign, we are helping people save green by going green,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.

The campaign builds on the success of the Energy Star Change a Light campaign by providing a set of steps people can take to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to replacing at least one light in the home with an Energy Star one, the new Energy Star campaign encourages consumers to:

• Make sure their heating and cooling systems are operating efficiently

• Make sure homes are well sealed and insulated

• Enable the power management features on home computers and monitors

• Choose Energy Star qualified appliances

According to the EPA, taking energy efficient steps at home and at work can make an important difference in addressing climate change. Buildings contribute about 40 percent of the nation’s emissions of carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, as most of the energy used in buildings comes from the burning of fossil fuels. These emissions can be reduced substantially through energy efficiency and the steps of the Energy Star campaign.

For more information, visit www.energystar.gov/changetheworld.

Publication date: 05/05/2008