Glaciers for our grandkids

So everyone knows that Al Gore invented the Internet, but did you know that he also invented Global Warming? Alright, maybe he didn't invent global warming, but he is certainly doing his part in bringing it to the forefront of the American consciousness. If you are interested in the issue (and I guess you probably should be since you are, by default, an inhabitant of the planet Earth), you should see the movie/documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" or visit the website climatecrisis.org.
While I don't necessarily buy into the "doomsday panic" message and tone of the movie, agree with the not-so-subtly-hidden political motives, and some of the extrapolations they make with the trends are a bit hard to believe, nevertheless the facts and data are shocking and pretty hard to dismiss. Perhaps the claim that I agree with most from the movie is the thought that this isn't a political issue, it is a moral issue.
In my mind it is almost a spiritual issue. We have been placed in the middle of a creation more beautiful beyond all imagination, one that has deeply inspired and moved generations. And you don't have to believe in a god or creator to agree with that. In fact, I would guess that the majority of people currently leading the way for environmental protection are agnostic, atheistic, paganistic, Buddhist, anything but certainly not Christian. Why have Christians been so far behind on this issue? Shouldn't they be leading the way? Wasn't it the God of the three great monotheistic faiths that gave the mandate, rule and subdue the earth and all that is in it? There can be many interpretations of the phrase "rule and subdue", I'm sure. But I can't believe that "pollute and destroy in order to preserve your comfortable lifestyle" is a valid one.
But the problem isn't as bad as you are making it sound, right? Maybe not, but stand in the hills above L.A., or Quito Ecuador, or pick your nearest metro area and lift your eyes to the sky. Look at some of the pictures of the receding glaciers, past vs. present.
Realistically, I know that not everyone can rush out and purchase a hybrid car. I'm just suggesting we start thinking about what we do everyday in tiny little ways. I'll start a list, and you can add to it, or make your own:

Turn off the lights in an unoccupied room.

Next time your light bulb burns out, replace it with an energy saving model - a couple bucks more expensive, but you will certainly get your money back in your energy bill.

Make sure your vehicle's tires are fully inflated - a few minutes taking advantage of the free air pressurizer at the gas station can pay off in fuel economy.

Turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth - not necessarily an energy issue, but anything wrong with saving drinkable water while we're at it?

Only wash full loads of laundry.

Only run the dishwasher when it is full.

If possible, walk to where you are going instead of driving - dual benefit: health + energy saving.

Turn your thermostat down at night and when you are not at home, or better yet, replace your old thermostat with a digital programmable one.

Use open windows instead of air conditioners when the weather permits.

Keep going...

This is just a start, there are innumerably more. And none of them are difficult or life changing, but yet, I can safely assume, if every one of us chose just one and lived it, the effects would be profound.