1. Change five lights. Change a light and you can help change the world. Replace your give most frequently used lights, or the bulbs in them, with ones that have earned the Energy Star designation, and you'll use less energy, which means less pollution from power plants. If every household did this, together we'd prevent more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases.

2. Look for products that have earned the Energy Star designation. By looking for the Energy Star designation, you'll get the features and performance you want while helping to reduce air pollution. With qualified products in more than 40 categories, the designation helps provide consumers with low-energy products in everything from lighting and heating and cooling equipment to home electronics and appliances.

3. Improve the performance of your heating and cooling system. Have it serviced annually by a licensed contractor, and remember to clean or replace air filters regularly. To avoid heating or cooling empty house, use an Energy Star qualified programmable thermostat. When it's time to replace old equipment, choose an energy-saving model. Make certain that it is sized and installed properly. According to the EPA, if just one in 10 households did this, the change would prevent more than 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases.

4. Seal up your home. Drafty windows and doors, cold walls or ceilings and high energy bills are all symptoms of air leaks (usually in the attic and basement) and poor insulation. Seal air leaks, add insulation and choose energy-saving windows when replacing existing ones. That way you'll improve the comfort and durability of your home, save energy and help protect the environment.

5. Tell family and friends. Slip it into conversation with your mother. Talk about it a neighbor's barbecue. Pass it on at a PTA meeting or at work. Help spread the word that energy efficiency is good for your home and good for our environment. Already, Americans have purchased one billion Energy Star qualified products, and last year alone reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to taking 18 million cars off the road.