The cars we drive, the electricity we use to light and cool our homes, even the food we eat...nearly everything we do has a significant negative impact on our planet. While the personal carbon emissions of city dwellers are much lower than the national average, these large cities account for more than half of the gases emitted in the US - gases that promise to increase heat deaths by at least 1,000 individuals a year just in LA over the next few decades, among a number of other concerns addressed in the better-late-than-never climate report issued by the US government recently.

The average American generates about 2.87 tons of carbon each year. You can calculate your personal emissions here. The EPA also provides links for several other emissions calculators. Reducing those emissions by even a small percentage can have huge benefits for the planet!

1. Drive greener with Grass On The Dash. This innovative mobile planter allows you to grow a live flower in your car - without any mess! Grass, lilacs, cacti for hot seasons...offset carbon emissions with life inside your vehicle and make your car more beautiful!
2. Plant trees. While it would take a good sized forest to offset just your personal emissions, there are a number of programs available that sponsor reforestation projects, as well as research and studies for other ways to reduce greenhouse gases. Sign up with a trustworthy carbon offset service.
3. Choose energy star appliances and light bulbs. Replacing just 5 light bulbs with Energy Star rated bulbs in every American home would offset the emissions of 10 million cars, according the US EPA.
4. Consider an earth-friendlier vehicle. Hybrid cars and alternative fuel vehicles are becoming much more functional and economical - and can greatly help reduce carbon emissions that create global warming.
5. Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Make an effort to only buy new if there's no alternative and recycle or reuse rather than throwing away. Reducing the amount of garbage sitting in our landfills can be quite beneficial to the earth.