Thousands of Minnesotans are taking real, measurable actions in their homes to lighten their carbon footprints, save money and curb global warming. When it comes to reducing your household’s carbon footprint, the fastest, cheapest and easiest way to make a real difference is through energy efficiency and conservation.

By using energy more wisely in your home, you can save money and do good for the earth at the same time! And you won’t be alone-from Grand Marais to Albert Lea, ordinary Minnesotans are making a difference by reducing their energy use, while saving money.

To learn the most effective actions, take the Minnesota Energy Challenge www.energychallenge.com and join over 16,500 Minnesotans pledging to reduce their use. The Energy Challenge helps Minnesotans figure out how best to improve their impact on the environment while also saving money in their homes through energy efficiency and conservation.

Energy Challenge members are using a variety of actions to make their homes more comfortable and energy smart. Carol and Michael Caouette of Stillwater say that they are making “a concerted effort to save on energy use where we can by lowering our thermostat, using a window air conditioner very infrequently, and turning off lights in rooms we’re not using. Simple habits like turning off lights can be easy-just ask Aiden Sponheim, age eleven, of Minneapolis. He and his family created their own TOLBY campaign-Turn Off Lights Behind You! Aiden put up signs all over the house to remind his family. After all, energy efficiency and conservation are a family effort. Angela and Jeremy Pidde of Comfrey want to involve their entire family, too: “Our two children should be able to look to us as role models to keep the environment clean and livable; any way we can implement this and enhance the community we live in is worth looking into.”

Created by Minnesota nonprofit Center for Energy and the Environment, the Minnesota Energy Challenge can be done by anyone. Taking the Energy Challenge and reducing your energy use really matters-join your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers and take action today!