$46 to Stop Global Warming?

How much will it cost to stop global warming? A lot less than it will cost if we don't act now.

According to a report released last week by the World Wildlife Fund,

global warming can be stopped for 0.1 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product per year. Emissions would have to begin to decline before 2015 and 50 to 85 percent of CO2 emissions would have to be cut by the middle of this century. Doing nothing will cost up to 20 times more and bring about suffering and hardship, according to the most recent science.

"This report shows that the cost of acting today to reduce emissions is small compared to the cost of inaction," said Richard Mott, Vice President for International Policy at World Wildlife Fund. "We know the steps that must be taken to impact global climate change. The catch is that we need to act now."

This news courtesy of Rocketboom.

What if American households -- "every American is responsible for about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year" -- were to spend 0.1 percent of their annual income on reducing their carbon imprint? Since the median household income is about $46,000, that amounts to just $46 per year.

What good can $46 do? More than you might think. You can:

• Buy a dozen fluorescent light bulbs.
  
• Buy carbon offsets and get about halfway towards being carbon neutral.
  
• Buy a used bike and ride to work whenever possible.
  
• Buy local.
  
• Invest in green energy.

But there are many ways to reduce carbon emissions that don't cost a thing, or save you money, eg driving less, turning off the lights and a/c, unplugging appliances and power chargers when not in use, etc.