LINCOLN, Mass.-People now have a quick and easy way to shrink their household carbon footprint. They can support sustainable energy sources for home electricity-and move away from fossil fuels-by signing up for "Make the Switch," a partnership between Mass Audubon and the nonprofit Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance (Mass Energy).

The respected conservation nonprofit Mass Audubon has set an initial target of a thousand member households across the Commonwealth to "Make the Switch." In turn, Mass Energy will match the electricity use of those who sign up with local green providers. It brings renewable power from wind, solar, biomass, and "cow power" (manure) to the grid on participants' behalf-all without changing their regular utility company.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions is electricity production. And since electricity use can contribute up to 30% of a household's carbon footprint, consumer choices have a real impact.

Buying green power through "Make the Switch" has several advantages: