Teaming with the EPA, many National parks throughout the United States are taking steps to reduce their global warming pollution.  Beginning this year, national park loving Americans can also do their part by joining the “Do Your Part for Climate Friendly Parks” organization.  The National Parks Conservation Association has launched a website that is dedicated to helping protect America’s national parks from the effects of global warming.  By visiting www.doyourpartparks.org, visitors are able to learn about the issues of climate changes as well as how they can help lower their own global warming pollution.  Visitors will be given the tools to make a difference.

Once on the website, visitors can pledge their emissions reductions to the national park of their choice. The EPA has provided a household carbon emissions calculator that will assist you with determining how much progress your household has made in reducing emissions.  You can even check your progress.  All reductions will help the park meet its carbon emissions goal.

There are 40 parks that currently participate in the program.  Each park has met or is working to meet the required milestones to be officially recognized as a “Climate Friendly Park”.  Only 15 US parks are currently participating in the “Do Your Part Climate Friendly Parks” website.
 
Yosemite of course is leading the charge as they are a Climate Friendly Park.  They offer a free shuttle system with hybrid buses for visitors.  This helps the park reduce its carbon footprint.  Yosemite’s goal is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 10 percent lower than they were in 2005 by the year 2010.  They are right on track for getting this done.
  
For more information on this program or information on how you can help the environment visit:  www.nps.gov/vose.