Around the world, nations and progressive states in the U.S. are taking action to fight global warming.

Those governments agree with scientists that we need to "stabilize" our climate by reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by at least 30% before 2020 and 80% by 2050. So if everyone took the same action that countries and states are taking, we can win the climate change challenge.

Some experts advocate that each of us strive to be "carbon neutral", but that's very difficult in a world that is still dependent on fossil fuels for electricity, transportation. Everyone can dramatically reduce their own GHG emissions, but to get them down to zero (carbon neutral), we will have to buy offsets, which are investments in projects that reduce GHGs like wind power or planting trees to absorb GHGs. Buying offsets is a good idea, but the most important thing we can all do is to reduce our own "carbon footprint" by reducing our own GHGs at least as fast as nations and states are doing so.

Therefore, let's all pledge to cut our personal GHGs by at least 20% within 20 days (a reasonable amount of time to implement the suggestions below). That's a great start in helping world governments with their goal of reducing by 30% before 2020. As appliances and vehicles become more efficient and as more renewable sources of energy (like solar, wind, and biofuels) are delivered to the marketplace, some of our GHG reductions will happen over and above our personal reduction, meaning we can easily achieve these goals.

By the way, reducing our own GHGs 20% now is even more valuable than the government and business programs to reduce, because personal reductions can be immediate. Why is that important? Because global warming is caused by an accumulation of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, so the longer we wait to make reductions, the more we will have to live with the consequences of the GHGs we pump into the atmosphere every day, pollution that will linger as long as 50 years.

So let's get started and get everyone we know committed to reducing their own greenhouse gas pollution by 20% in the next 20 days and in the process, we just might save the humans (remember, we're not saving the planet - - it will be here with or without human beings!). The average person creates 20 tons of GHGs each year, so our goal is to reduce 20% of that, or 4 tons.

1. Adjust your thermostat by 2 degrees (cooler in winter, warmer in summer) and save 1 ton of greenhouse gases (GHGs) each year.

2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs) and save 300 pounds of GHGs a year for EACH bulb. You also save $7/year a year to own/operate each bulb. So changing 10 bulbs saves 1.5 tons of GHGs and $75/year.

3. Wrap your water heater and save 550 pounds of GHGs.

4. Replace the filters on your air conditioner and save 350 pounds of GHGs. While you're at it, replace those filters in your car and vacuum too for even more savings.

5. Unplug "vampire" electronics when not in use - - chargers, DVD players, set-top cable boxes, any anything else with a blinking light. Save as much as 500 pounds of GHGs.

6. Wash your clothes in cold water and 1 ton of GHGs.

7. Dry clothes on a clothesline and save 1400 pounds of GHGs.

8. Take mass transit or telecommute once a week to save 1 ton of GHGs.

9. Check tire inflation every week to increase miles-per-gallon by 3% and save 250 pounds of GHGs.

10. Lose 10 pounds (the weight gained by the average American, including me, in the past 10 years. Airlines use 350 million more gallons of jet fuel every year hauling around those extra pounds and your car wastes more fuel doing the same thing. OK, this may take a bit more than 20 days, but it will reduce your GHGs and your waistline soon enough!

TOTAL GHGs SAVED: Over 10 tons (enough to meet the 20% goal for a family of 5)!

Of course not everyone can do all of those things, so if you need additional ideas to meet the 20% in 20 Days Challenge (or just want to do more!), consider these ideas:

TEN BONUS IDEAS:

11. Save water, save watts, save CO2. We use up to a third of our electricity to move, clean, and dispose of water and wastewater, so every drop saved also saves electricity and therefore reduces GHGs.

12. Don't drink bottled water. All that plastic creates GHGs and transporting bottled water creates even more.

13. When making tea or cooking, boil only the water you actually need (heating more water wastes energy) and cover pots on the stove. Using a pressure cooker is even more efficient, saving 70% of energy used compared to a pot.

14. Don't idle - - get out of the car instead of using the drivethru.

15. Buy things that are already used (at eBay and second-hand items on Amazon) and donate unwanted items so others can also buy used gear. Reusing items saves converting more natural resources into consumables.

16. Shop with a reusable shopping bag - - we use 100 billion plastic bags a year, all made from oil.

17. Buy local produce (our average plate of food travels over 1300 miles, consuming large amounts of energy in transportation).

18. Buy fresh food, not frozen (90% less energy).

19. Eat less meat (especially beef, which takes 2-4 times more resources per pound)

20. Vote & Volunteer - - spread the word!

Thanks for taking the "20% in 20 Days Challenge"!