Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essential to prevent global warming, part of the broader environmental concern of climate change. Here are some ways to help that may surprise you.

You Will Need

City residenceFood from industrial farmsVegetarian dietAdherence to the three RsWhite roof (optional)

Step 1: Live in a cityLive in a city: Urbanites own fewer cars, tend to live in energy-efficient apartment buildings, and don't have much need for powered lawn mowers, a major contributor to greenhouse gases.

Painting a roof white reduces the energy needed to both heat and cool a building.

Step 2: Don't assume local is betterDon't assume that buying local is always better. Food miles — the distance food travels from farm to table — isn't the only factor to consider: 80 percent of the carbon emissions from food production occur before shipping, and industrial farms tend to be more energy-efficient than smaller ones.

Step 3: Eat less meatEat less meat. The average American carnivore contributes 1.5 more tons of greenhouse gases per year than the average vegetarian. If you can't keep away from beef, organic may be better for your body but not necessarily help prevent global warming: An organically raised cow emits 16 percent more greenhouse gases than a standard one.

Producing red meat generates 4 times the greenhouse gas emissions as an equal amount of chicken or fish.