You can’t pick up a paper or listen to the news without hearing something about climate change.

Congress has held and will continue to hold hearings, not to debate the science of climate change and the effects man-made carbon dioxide is having on the environment, but to decide what to do about controlling man-made carbon emissions. At the forefront of the debate is Michigan Congressman John Dingell, the “Dean” of Congress, having served some 52 years.

In a recent article in The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Dingell states, “People have got to understand that addressing the problem we have as the largest user of energy and emitter of greenhouses gases is not something that will exist without pain. . . . It is ultimately going to evolve into a significant cost for everybody, and significant changes in lifestyle. . . . Everybody is trying to tell everyone that we can do this without any pain to you, and we’ll just stick it to so and so. . . . But in my bill, everyone is going to put their farthing in the collection box. Nobody will put in too much, nobody too little, but nobody will get out of it.”

Mr. Dingell believes Congress should be up-front and honest with the American people about climate change legislation. There is a cost, and the results won’t be seen overnight. Many believe it could take 50 years to stem the impact current carbon emissions may have on the environment.

The debate in Congress will not be resolved anytime soon. That being said, as individuals we don’t have to wait for Congress to act on climate change issues and carbon emissions from our utility companies—including your electric cooperative—before acting. Earlier this fall the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association conducted focus groups and a nationwide survey to gauge the understanding of cooperative members regarding the issues surrounding climate change and regulating carbon dioxide. What they found was not surprising.

When asked what are the best ways to address climate change, ‘personal conservation’ came up more than any other response–27 percent to be exact. Cooperative members across the country said that individually we need to be more energy efficient. That may include using compact fluorescent bulbs, increasing insulation in our homes, building more energy efficient homes and offices, recycling, and simply increasing public awareness about the need to conserve energy. The next most-often-cited solution was the use of alternative energy, which was offered by 17 percent of respondents, with wind energy and solar being mentioned the most. Finally, ‘government solutions,’ including more government regulation, was mentioned only 11 percent of the time.

The bottom line is that individually, or even collectively acting through your electric cooperative, we can all do more to reduce energy consumption and related carbon emissions. This reminds me of Smokey Bear and the motto for the forest fire prevention campaigns: ‘Only YOU can prevent forest fires.’

We know it is going to take more than just individual action to address climate change; however, just as we have a responsibility to ‘prevent forest fires,’ we have a responsibility to be more energy efficient in our homes and businesses.

Climate change is personal, too.

Respondents in a recent poll identified personal conservation as the number one way to address climate change. But that’s only a start. Co-ops are working together on ways to help members save energy and reduce carbon emissions for the long haul. Look for a series of articles on energy, electricity and co-ops beginning in January, and all through next year.