Let's start with the bad news: the climate conference at The Hague was a bust. That means there are still no internationally agreed-upon rules for reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global warming.

Now, the good news: talks are continuing between the United States and the European Union, and all the negotiators will reconvene in May in Bonn to try again.

More good news: you can begin reducing emissions now, even without a treaty! The key is to use less energy and burn less gasoline. Here are some specific tips:

• Buy appliances that bear the Energy Star label, which guarantees that they're energy-efficient. While these products might cost a bit more to purchase (or not), they'll save money down the road through lower electric bills.



• Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use a third to a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long. Another money-saver.



• Weatherize your home. Seal drafts. Improve insulation. Install energy-efficient windows. This one can save you money too. (Hmm -- are we beginning to see a pattern?)



• Buy cars that get lots of miles per gallon (aka high fuel economy). The more the better. This is the single most important thing you can do. And yes, it will save you money.

For related information, see these pages:

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING
http://www.ucsusa.org/warming?gw.personalsolns.html

STAR PERFORMERS: THE ENERGY STAR LABEL
http://www.ucsusa.org/energy?guide.energystar.html

ENERGY STAR SITE
http://www.energystar.gov/

CONSUMER GUIDE TO HOME ENERGY SAVINGS
http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm

ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDE TO CARS AND TRUCKS
http://www.greenercars.org/indexplus.html