Dollars and Sensible Actions: Tax Credits and More

1. Buy a hybrid car by the end of 2003 and get IRS's new $2,000 tax credit -- deductible from your income on your tax statement.

2. Take the Patriot's Energy Pledge to reduce your oil dependence at www.SaveaBarrel.org, with simple steps such as keeping vehicles and tires in tune, taking public transport, and supporting conservation legislation.

3. Tell EPA that they should be helping consumers purchase cleaner cars, not helping Detroit "greenwash" products. Visit this web site: www.actionnetwork.org and take action to stop EPA from giving a "green light" to below average vehicles that have not been designed with the environment in mind.

4. Install at least one compact fluorescent lightbulb. You'll save an average of $38 per year in electricity bills and replacement bulbs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions from your power plant by 700 pounds! (At hardware and home improvement stores. See also Green Guide's Product Report: Lighting).

5. Ask Congress (202-224-3121) and the White House (202-456-1111) to preserve and enforce the Clean Air Act and join the 50-plus countries that have ratified the Kyoto Accord to reduce global warming emissions.