PLEASE...can we please stop the destruction of our home?  But to do so, we need to be smart. We're already faced with the combined might of the corporate machine and their minions in the media. Do we have to do their work for them by discrediting the environmental movement?

and a comment that suggested a rather Amish approach. I've been thinking about it. Although it may be admirable for a few individuals to commit themselves to this lifestyle the average person just throws up their hands and says "No way! Those people are too crazy for me." The average individual, average business owner etc. are the ones who have to be convinced in numbers to make a difference.

In winter, turn thermostat down to 60

[new] In winter, turn thermostat down to 60 degrees (5+ / 0-)
One of you suggested turning the thermostat down to 68 degrees in winter.  Before I was Peak Oil Aware and before I saw An Inconvenient Truth, I kept the thermostat at 67 degrees all winter long.  Last year, I kept the thermostat at 63 degrees all year long.  This fall and winter, I have been gradually lowering the thermostat and now have it down to 60 degrees.  I also have also improved energy efficiency by putting rope caulking in the cracks around the windows and installing plastic insulation.  Since the house I live in has drafty METAL framed windows, it doesn't take much to make a substantial improvement.
I find it MUCH easier to cut back on heating than air conditioning.  Before I was Peak Oil Aware and before I saw An Inconvenient Truth, I set the thermostat to maintain an indoor temperature of 79 degrees in summer.  I still keep the indoor temperature at 79 degrees in summer.  I find indoor temperatures in the 80s to be oppressive, and there's no quick solution.  At least I can easily deal with the cold in winter by wearing more clothing.  There is no similar quick solution for dealing with the heat.