What You Can Do

Individuals

The links below have a variety of tips for actions individuals can take to have a positive impact on the climate.

Shopping

• Shop locally - Texas Certified Farmers Markets

At Home

• Find ways to reduce your water consumption by visiting Austin Water's water conservation Web site.
• Learn about the City's new irrigation schedule.
• Don't know where to start? Want to see your impact on the climate? Check out these different online carbon calculators.
  
• The City of Austin offers numerous programs and rebates to help optimize home efficiency while saving money. Check out the City’s environmental programs.
• Let the EPA show you what you can do to reduce your footprint.
• Want to make your house more energy efficient? Get a virtual tour of an Energy Star house.
• Compare an annual energy bill for an average house in your zip code and discover ways to save energy and cut energy costs.
• Pledge to become green at home by joining the "Good Neighbor" program at the National Wildlife Federation. By taking some simple actions you can earn this distinction.
• Help clean up the landfill and get rid of that old cell phone by donating your wireless phones. Also, for every phone that is donated, a dollar is given to charity.
• Climate Leaders - A ground-breaking recognition program for the Austin community.
• Find out what actions to take and how to get involved in protecting the planet at New American Dream.
• Want to get rid of all of your old stuff? Find recycling centers near you by simply typing in your zip code.

Transportation

• Leave the car at home. Walk, bike, or take public transportation to your destination.
  • Check out Austin's hike and bike trails.
  • Bike safely by finding the bike lanes around town - Austin Bicycle Route Map (PDF, 2.9 MB). You can also order a paper map for $2.
  • Plan your bus route with Capital Metro.
• Drive electric! Save cash and the air by driving a zero emission electric car, scooter, or bicycle. The City of Austin offers Electric Vehicle Incentives to purchase them.
• If you need to drive, look into alternative fuel vehicles. Plug-In Partners is a resource about the City of Austin's initiative to get automakers to start manufacturing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
• Don't want to own a car, but still need to have one at your disposal? Check out this local car-sharing opportunity, Austin CarShare.
• Want to find out how many miles per gallon that car gets? Check out this site to find out how efficient your 1985-2005 model year cars and trucks are and get driving tips that will help you save money and fuel.
• Get the latest weekly U.S. retail gas prices and answers for your energy questions from A to Z, including air conditioning, lighting, wind energy and more.
• Want to save cash by carpooling to work? Check out the River Cities Rideshare program and get matched up with people who work with you.

Comments and suggestions

Are there valuable community programs missing that you think should be highlighted on this Web site? Please contact us with your suggestions.

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