Essential Skill #36: Decongest Downtown

"One million commuters waste about 47 million hours per year because of traffic congestion," writes author David de Rothschild in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook. Thus the need for Essential Skill # 36:

Decongest downtown.

As unlikely as it seems, Manhattan demonstrates just the kind of decongestion de Rothschild is talking about. Sure, there's bumper-to-bumper traffic in the streets, but there's also heel-to-toe traffic on the sidewalks, as so many Manhattanites "hoof it" most everywhere they go. Or they ride bikes, or take public transportation.

In fact, 82 percent of Manhattan residents walk, bike or take public transit instead of riding or driving in a car. The results are substantial:

"Manhattanites consume gasoline at a low rate that the country as a whole hasnt' matched since the 1920s," writes de Rothschild, "and generate less than one-third of the carbon emissions of the average American."

In the Handbook, de Rothschild notes three ways that cities are decongesting their downtown areas: 1) Charging vehicles to go downtown, 2) City bike programs and 3) Bus Rapid Transit, where one lane is designated for buses only. Cities all over the world are adopting programs like these at a greater rate than ever, and the public is responding.

Click these links for details on congestion charging, shared bike programs and bus rapid transit.

Essential Skill #35: Ride a Bike

"About one-quarter of the carbon emissions we produce pours out of the tailpipes of our vehicles," writes author David de Rothschild in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook.

"Fortunately, you've had the key to solving this problem within your grasp since about the age of eight." It's Essential Skill #35 in The Handbook:

Ride a bike.

We could save 100,000 tons of carbon emissions every year if one million people committed to this: Every week, pick one 5-mile trip and ride your bike instead of driving your car.

So the next time you need to drop a letter off at the post office, pick up a few things at the grocery store or get cash out of the ATM, forget gasing up at the pump -- just slam an energy drink and pedal your two-wheeler down the street.

"No need for petitions, sign-waving, or calling on your leaders to do something about global warming," writes de Rothschild (though that's essential too). "On your bike, you're already doing it."

Essential Skill #34: Watch the Front Lines

How do we know global warming is starting to take its toll? By relying on Essential Skill #34 in The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook:

Watch the front lines.

"Climate change happens too gradually for us to feel the difference between one day and the next," writes Handbook author David de Rothschild, "but that doesn't mean we can't monitor the front lines of global warming."

These are the top 11 places de Rothschild says to watch for the most visual evidence of climate change:

1) New Orleans
2) Canadian Arctic
3) Venice
4) Komodo National Park
5) Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve, Honduras
6) Sundarbans
7) Kilimanjaro National Park
8) Himalayas
9) Amazon
10) Greenland Ice Sheet
11) Great Barrier Reef

"Landscapes around the world are already decaying," writes de Rothschild, "and among the first wave of casualties are some of the most cherished wonders. Keep watch on these fragile corners of the Earth to follow the progress of climate change."

Essential Skill #33: Harvest the Sun

As impossible as it seems in our world today, as many as two billion people do not have elecricity. Add to that the other billion people whose only source of power is batteries, kerosene and candles, and that's one-third of the global population living in what author David de Rothschild calls "energy poverty." In response, he points to Essential Skill #33 in The Live Earth Global Warming Handbook:

Harvest the sun.

Not only is solar power a good idea for people who are literally living in the dark in many developing countries, but it's also a great answer to the problem of global warming. Solar energy is a renewable resource that can replace the coal-fired power plants that generate most of our electricity today.

Of course, the problem is cost. "The price of solar systems is coming down," writes de Rothschild, "though a set of rooftop panels can still cost thousands of dollars."

One solution to the problem of cost is the example set by residents in Portola Valley, California. By joining together in their purchase of solar panels at a bulk discount, they saved 30% off the regular price. It's known as the Collective Power Program. Similar programs have spread throughout California and are moving into five other states this year.

Remember though, this high cost of solar is only temporary.

"Solar power's costs are predicted to match coal's by 2010," writes author David de Rothschild. "Soon, solar will be embedded in virtually everything, from shingles and windows to the tops of cars, with every bit of solar power displacing electricity produced from fossil fuel."

For more information on getting bulk discounts on solar systems for your community, check out this link to Solar City. Though they may not offer the program in your part of the country just yet, it will at least get you moving in the right direction.