Turn the Tide was developed by the Center for a New American Dream, a small non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals and institutions change the way they consume to improve quality of life, protect the environment and promote social justice. Turn the Tide is a program of nine simple actions almost everyone can take in their daily lives that have a measurable, positive impact on the environment. AND, we can all see that impact right away.

• The Center for a New American Dream surveyed scientists and environmentalists to find out what first few steps they would ask Americans to take, to reduce global warming, conserve water and energy, and save wildlife and forest habitats. We then reviewed those suggested steps, looking for actions almost everyone could take, and whose impact could be measured relatively accurately.
• We ended up with nine simple actions and we designed a way for people to see the difference they make when they take these actions. Participants can go to a powerful but easy-to-use, interactive web site that automatically calculates the environmental benefit of each action and instantly shows the impact. What’s more, the site shows them the combined difference made by everyone who is taking the actions. You’ve got to see this site to appreciate it’s potential. Check it out at www.newdream.org - just click on Turn the Tide.
• For people who want to participate but who don’t have access to the internet, we’ve designed a fun guidebook to use along with a tracking chart. They’ll report the actions they take and we’ll add their impact to the program totals and keep them informed of the combined difference the program is making.
  

• It can add up to quite a difference. If only 1,000 people take these actions, over one year we will save a collective 48 million gallons of water, 170 trees, 12,250 pounds of sea life, and prevent the emission of 4,000,000 pounds of climate-warming carbon dioxide.
  

• Turn the Tide is NOT 50 things for individuals to do. It is NOT a guide for shivering in the dark in deprivation. Almost everyone can take these nine simple actions and make a difference for the environment without a negative impact on their quality of life.
• Turn the Tide is also NOT the final answer to our environmental problems. It is however, an important part of the solution. We need governments, businesses and institutions to do their part. But we need individuals to lead them. Wide-spread participation in Turn the Tide can show them that the American public cares about the environment and is willing to change their consumer habits in order to help preserve it.
• Furthermore, taking these nine simple actions however, IS a way for people to make a difference just by living their lives a tiny bit differently. They will make a difference in the environment. They will make a difference among their friends and family and in their community by providing a positive role model of someone who cares how their actions affect others and our planet. Perhaps most importantly, people will make a difference for themselves, knowing that they are living more congruently with their values.
  

How Does It Work?

– Link to Turn the Tide through the Valley Viewpoint website

– Review the nine actions.

– Once you do an action, then

– Follow the easy prompts to log on to your personal workspace—your own user-friendly action tracker that we’ve created for you—and report what you accomplished.

– You’ll be able to see what resources you’ve saved, the combined savings of the Valley Viewpoint group, and the total savings of everyone in the program.

1. Move the Thermostat 3° F.
2. Skip a Beef Meal Each Week
3. Don’t Eat Shrimp
4. Install Four Energy-Efficient CFLs
5. Skip a Car Trip Each Week
6. Eliminate Lawn and Garden Pesticides
7. Install an Efficient Showerhead and Low Flow Faucet Aerators
8. Independence from Junk Mail
9. Convince Two Friends

Send your friends a link to this page.

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