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ROME (Reuters) - Better insulation at home, less use of the car and even giving up an electric toothbrush can help people in rich nations halve emissions of greenhouse gases, a U.N. report said on Thursday.\n\n"Adopting a climate-friendly lifestyle needn't require drastic changes or major sacrifices," according to the 202-page U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) book entitled "Kick the CO2 Habit: the U.N. Guide to Climate Neutrality".

To wrap up my ode to John Henry (and a more sustainable lifestyle) I am going to cover a few more everyday household plug-ins by giving the current ON the grid offering, it's OFF the grid alternative, and weigh in on whether a switch is warranted.

"Energy security is rapidly becoming a major concern for citizens of both developed and developing countries. We have grown totally dependent on low cost oil and gas for our everyday lives. As increased pressure is put on the remaining reserves, prices are rising inexorably, and alternatives must be sought. This requires a change of lifestyle for the 21st Century. Wastewatts is a technology discussion forum that looks at ways in which we might change our fossil fuel dependent lifestyles, off-setting petroleum with renewable fuels or those derived from industrial or agricultural waste."

Given the steady drumbeat of news about climate change, water shortages, food riots and high oil prices, many of us are pretty well-versed in the basics of protecting the environment. What's lacking, particularly for us tech-lovers, are the tools to help us live our on-grid, totally Wired lives with the smallest possible impact. And we do need some help. If everyone lived like North Americans, we'd need at least five planets to support our lifestyles. Here are some online actions you can take to "plug in greener." This article is a wiki. Got extra advice? Log in and add it.

Are you wasting energy? The average American releases about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year - and most of this waste comes from our homes. There are easy steps you can take to alter your lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint.

When the idea of a low carbon economy first raised its head some expected a sea change in public attitudes. This change would impact the regulatory framework, acknowledge the responsibilities of businesses,  encourage development of sustainable practices and generally save the world from itself. It seems that some observers are surprised at the slowness of the sea change. Perhaps the level of innovation required is not materialsing because the need, in fact, is not urgent enough in the minds of business, government or consumers. Over the last decade, governments have put in place frameworks for action, but the timing is over many years - a serious commitment which should encourage. On the other hand, perhaps we should not expect a huge change in lifestyle look and feel as we grow into an efficient low carbon society.

Isn't the problem that climate is a global issue, which encompasses so many aspects of day-to-day life. So it's at the same time the ultimate global and local issue, requiring us to change everything for everyone. Those expecting sea change will have to wait for quite a while.