Thomas Dietz: Climate Benefits of Simple Behavior Change

From Thomas Dietz and coauthors, "Household actions can provide a behavioral wedge to rapidly reduce U.S. carbon emissions":

Most climate change policy attention has been addressed to long-term options, such as inducing new, low-carbon energy technologies and creating cap-and-trade regimes for emissions.

We use a behavioral approach to examine the reasonably achievable potential for near-term reductions by altered adoption and use of available technologies in U.S. homes and nonbusiness travel. National implementation could save an estimated ... 20% of household direct emissions or 7.4% of U.S. national emissions, with little or no reduction in household well-being.

The 17 household actions studied were: weatherization, HVAC equipment, low-flow showerheads, efficient water heater, appliances, low rolling resistance tires, fuel-efficient vehicle, change HVAC air filters, tune up AC, routine auto maintenance, laundry temperature, water heater temperature, standby electricity, thermostat setbacks, line drying, driving behavior, carpooling and trip-chaining.

Unfortunately, eating choices - which are probably among the most significant - weren't included in the study.

(Hat tip: Dot Earth)