Global warming is a reality of concern to New Yorkers and the world. (July 22 Poughkeepsie Journal editorial: "Emissions ruling must be clear.") Still, many people are unaware of how they can combat this environmental crisis.

Most people are frozen with inaction when it comes to global warming. As Al Gore points out in his book "An Inconvenient Truth," they believe the problem is so big there is little any individual can do about it.

Fortunately, there is something we can all do at little or no cost that will have a cumulative effect on global warming. We all can change the incandescent bulbs in our homes to more efficient compact-fluorescent bulbs. A 13-watt fluorescent bulb equals the lighting power of a 60-watt incandescent.

A three-pack of these bulbs retails for around $6, they last for five years, reduce energy usage and lower utility bills. What better way to lower the output of our energy plants, moderate our dependence on fossil fuels and reverse the trend of global warming?

If a majority of American households took this action, then we just might begin to reverse the rapid onslaught of global warming in no time at all and with little effort.