What have you done lately to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions?

That might not be a question you ask yourself every day, but it probably should be. Al Gore's testimony before Congress on global warming last week got me thinking about the urgency of using less energy in our lives. I know the issue of whether greenhouse gas emissions are responsible for rising global temperatures is hotly debated, but I have to say I'm with Al on this one.

I think there's enough evidence out there to show that if we continue to live the way we do our planet could experience extreme weather conditions that will only bring about havoc and destruction. We all contribute to global warming without even realizing it by doing everyday things like driving cars, using computers and running the dishwasher.

Let's face it. We are a society completely dependent on harmful energy consumption, but it's not too late to change our ways and help reduce the effects of global warming.

You are probably wondering how you as an individual can do this.

The answer may be easier than you think.

A visit to www.climatecrisis.net, the official Web site of Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, provided me with a multitude of ways we can cut down on energy consumption by making slight changes in our lives.

Some of these tips are easy enough for even the average college student to follow, so let me share them with you.

You probably know that you should turn off electronics when you're not using them to save energy.

But did you know that things like hairdryers, TVs and cell phone chargers still use energy when plugged into the wall?

I didn't. I don't even want to think about how many times I've kept my cell phone charger plugged into my wall when I wasn't using it, but now I'll be sure to keep it unplugged.

And here's an extra incentive for unplugging those electronics -- you won't just be saving energy, but you could save money on your electric bill.

Another great way to cut down on energy is by using less hot water. I know we all love hot showers, so a great way to use less hot water is by installing a low-flow showerhead. Doing so could save 350 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

You can also use less hot water by washing your clothes in cold or warm water. This could save 500 pounds of carbon dioxide per year.

And next time you go food shopping, keep these ideas in mind. Try to buy fresh food instead of frozen when you can, because frozen food requires 10 times more energy to produce. Eating less beef is also a great way to reduce the effects of global warming. I know we're all excited that McDonald's just reopened downtown, but did you know that cows are one of the greatest emitters of methane, and that methane is a major greenhouse gas? Yep, because cows eat so much grass and have multiple stomachs they exhale methane with every breath.

Now let's talk about cars. Sure they make it easy to get around, but we should try to reduce the number of miles we drive. Walking, biking, carpooling and taking forms of public transportation like buses or trains are great alternatives.

In fact, cutting down on driving by just 10 miles each week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

And speaking of cars, it's a good idea to check your tires each week to make sure they are properly inflated because it could improve gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

And I'll leave you with one more tip. With spring finally here, it's time to go out and plant a tree. A single tree will absorb about a ton of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. I guess they don't say "hug a tree" for nothing.

Global warming may be a worldwide problem, but every individual can help minimize the effects by reducing their energy consumption.

Don't doubt the impact you have.

When it comes to global warming, little things can make a big difference.