small steps. big impact.

I watched 60 Minutes tonight with Al Gore -- the now-labeled Nobel Peace Prize winner and so-called PR agent for Planet Earth (also former US VP). The interview peaked my interest as he will begin a new ad campaign for global warming awareness this week. Look out for it.

All personal proceeds from The Inconvenient Truth have been put towards this campaign. In addition to that, he and his wife Tipper have donated and matched the award money from the Nobel Peace Prize. (Granted these two people are worth several dozen million or more, but still...) All in all, this campaign is expected to be around $300 million.

The Martin Agency will be behind these new efforts (agency that created Caveman and Geico commercials). I'm curious to know if an agency pitch was involved, but that's neither here nor there. :)

My understanding for his efforts are more along the lines of awareness. And this point brought up an interesting convo between my husband and I: what are the actions or answers to stop global warming? And if it revolves around reducing greenhouse gases, wouldn't it rely more on industrial changes over consumer changes?

Well, I would have to agree for the most part. I think the changes need to occur 80% on companies and industries that produce the most problems. But after all, isn't it generally the consumer that drives industrial products? Yes. I think so. So in my opinion it's twofold.

I believe consumers should educate themselves on how to be more eco-friendly. Make smarter choices on products and purchases. I think it begins to overload people when they feel the need to do everything at once, but it doesn't have to be that way. If you can afford to buy only and all new eco-friendly products, then please do. But most of us must move towards that route in gradual effort.

On a small scale, try to minimize you own greenhouse gases. Off the top of my head, here are a few changes you could partake in. Choose one or two and it's a good start.

Turn off lights. Replace your bulbs with different kinds of lower-watt florescent bulbs.

Stop using all plastic bags and start bringing your own canvas bags, or opt for no bag at all. HEB sells green canvas bags for $0.99. I use 3-4 when I shop. If you forget, opt for paper instead. It's not great, but a slightly better choice. Compare for yourself.

Don't throw food away. Begin a small compost in the backyard -- it will cut your trash bulk drastically and is good for fertilizer. You'll notice almost half your trash bag is filled with food. When taken to the landfill, sealed in the plastic bag, it takes more than 1,000 years to even begin thinking about decomposing. Might as well be never.

Try your best to recycle. Check out your city or neighborhood website for recycle options. Google search it. If they do not offer pickup, look into where the nearest recycle plant is and take it yourself. If you're too busy for that (cough, cough, lazy...), then at least take your paper, cardboard and newspaper to your nearest school where they do recycle. Also, take your plastic bags to the nearest grocery store and make sure they actually recycle them.

Look into green cleaners for your home. This is not only helpful for the earth, but also for your health. There are many articles on research from chemical-overload in homes. Google them as well. And if you have children, then it's even more of an incentive to go natural in your home. (My aunt has been cleaning with products like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda and scented oils for years and she's one of the cleanest people I know.) But, if you're not wanting to create your own, there are a few mass-produced products out there like: Green Works, Seventh Generation and Method.

In the market for a new car? Look into a Hybrid. Also... live near a co-worker? Look into carpooling.

Wanting to reduce your electric bill? Purchase a programable thermostat and set it only when you're home (or just keep if off). Look into replacing your windows. Buy energy-star appliances -- they are more expensive at purchase, but pay for themselves within 4-5 months. Unplug ALL electronics when they are not being used -- even turned off, they are sucking 40-60% energy out of your socket (and pocket) when plugged in. Just a little fyi.

There are dozens and dozens of little actions you could take to reduce your carbon footprint and save a little coin. Any eco-friendly or environmental search should turn over quite a few websites for you to warp your head around.

Oh- and be on the lookout for the new Gore campaign. I'd love to know what you think. Supposedly it airs tomorrow.