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Conserving energy will save you money and reduce the carbon footprint of your home, and thus its impact on climate change. Does this really affect birds? You bet. Over the past 40 years, the ranges of 60% of the birds that winter in North America have shifted 35 miles north as temperatures have warmed. It may not sound like a lot, but as time goes on, some species will not be able to adapt to shifting ecosystems. And some birds, such as ptarmigans and other alpine birds that can only go “up” to escape warming temperatures, have nowhere else to move.
- Switch all the lights you can to LED bulbs. While we used to recommend CFLs, we've changed our tune on that*.
- Use less water bathing and brushing your teeth. Run only full laundry and dishwashing loads.
- Turn your heat down and your air conditioner up. Use less energy. Insulate, weather-proof, and caulk door and window frames.
- Next time you move, consider a smaller home, or one that uses less energy and perhaps makes use of solar power.
* The primary disadvantage to CFL lights is the mercury contained in the bulb. This is ordinarily not a problem, but if the bulb breaks, clean-up is a hassle. Mercury is a dangerous heavy metal, and proper cleanup and disposal of CFL bulbs is critical. Never put a used CFL bulb in with the rest of your trash. Contact your local waste management company to learn how to properly dispose of used CFL bulbs. -- Forbes.com, 4/25/2014