Get on a low-carbon diet today

We know that most scientists agree that human activity is warming the earth from heat being trapped in a layer of "greenhouse gases," including carbon dioxide produced by the fossil fuels we burn to drive our cars and to heat and cool our homes.

We also know that global warming will increasingly touch our lives, those of our children and grandchildren, and many of the poorest people on earth. Serious consequences are already evident in the form of arctic melting, floods, heat waves, more violent storms and the rise of sea levels.

But do you know that the typical U.S. household generates 55,000 pounds of CO2 annually -- compared to only 27,000 pounds in Germany and a mere 15,000 pounds in Sweden?

There are many ways that we can lower our "carbon footprint." And it's easier when we all do it together. Come find out how.

By attending the Lake County Global Warming Café, we will discover a powerful, new social change technology that enables us to experience the power of community.

We will interact with a broad cross-section of Lake County citizens in frank and open conversation to reflect deeply on what global warming means to each of us, individually and as a community. We'll exchange views, feelings and ideas. Then we will learn about a program, called the Low Carbon Diet, which helps lower our carbon footprint while also saving us some money. From there we form small support groups called EcoTeams which, like Weight Watchers, meet a few times to help carbon dieters stay on track.

The Lake County Global Warming Café is tonight from 7 to 9 p.m., Prairie Croissant Café in Prairie Crossing off Route 137, Grayslake.

The cost is $14 including Low Carbon Diet workbook and carbon diet door prizes. RSVP at lowcarbondiet@aol.com.

Patti Hudak,

Libertyville,

First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville Caring for Creation Committee