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You can change your carbon footprint by Christine von Kolnitz Cooley Engineering & Facilities What is global warming? Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps the planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests, we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and temperatures are rising.   Scientists agree that the rise in temperatures is causing glaciers to melt, vast areas of oceans to die, animals to lose their habitat and storms to brew larger than ever.   It didn't happen overnight, and it will take time to repair.   It takes each individual making choices each day to change the course of this planet. Here's a list of things you can do to change your carbon footprint: Turn lights out when you leave any room for more than five seconds. Turn computer off when finished. (Some computers may have to stay on. Check with a computer technician.) Use power strips to switch off all daily use equipment such as coffee pots and microwaves. Even when you think these products are off, together, their standby consumption can be equivalent to that of a 75 or 100 watt light bulb running continuously. Use power strips for peripherals like scanners, speakers and printers. Keep the power strip off until you are ready to use these devices. Power off your monitor if you are leaving your office during the day. For information visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/, http://www.energystar.gov/, or http://www.safeclimate.net/business/index.php.     Friday, Jan. 12, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.