According to the IR, July marked the hottest month in Helena history. What better way to escape the oppressive summertime heat than to take in a movie? Many Helenans did just that during the Myrna Loy Center's recent five-week showing of "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's compelling documentary on the problem of global warming.

The film portrays the disturbing reality of a rapidly changing climate: melting glaciers, scorching heat waves, more intense hurricanes, and a federal government that has been unwilling to address the issue. But Gore also admonishes us against moving directly "from denial to despair, without pausing on action," and provides a series of simple actions people can take to help solve the climate crisis. Here, then, are ten ways -- tailored to residents of Helena -- that we can reduce our "global warming footprint" while also reducing our energy bills:

• Get an energy audit -- NorthWestern Energy offers a free energy audit for your home. They will provide suggestions for saving energy through insulation, replacement windows, clock thermostats, or other methods. They will also install low-flow showerheads and wrap your hot water heater. Call NWE at (888) 467-2669.

• Install efficient lighting -- One of the best ways to save energy is to replace your incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lighting. A CFL bulb lasts ten times as long, uses a quarter of the electricity, and saves about $40 over its life. CFL bulbs can be purchased in all shapes and sizes, and are widely available around town at affordable prices. NWE also offers rebates, to help reduce the upfront cost.

• Choose Energy Star -- When replacing appliances, always look for the Energy Star label. In one year, an Energy Star washing machine can save hundreds of kilowatt-hours and as much water as a person drinks in a lifetime. The Energy Star label is now being applied to new home construction. Visit: www.energystar.gov

• Produce renewable power -- Once you've minimized the amount of energy you use, you may wish to produce your own clean, renewable energy. NWE administers a grant program that can help pay for a solar or wind electric system that still leaves you connected to the grid. Also, Montana offers low interest loans to help finance these projects, and both the state and federal governments offer valuable tax credits for conservation and renewable energy investments. Visit: www.montanagreenpower.com, or google: "Energize Montana"

• Support E+Green -- If you're interested in green power, but not quite ready to invest in your own system, NWE offers an option called "E+Green." For just $2 extra per month, you can choose to support renewable energy. Visit: www.meic.org/e+green_program.html

• Drive green -- With gas over $3 a gallon, increasing your fuel economy will yield tremendous savings. Eliminating unnecessary trips, driving conservatively, removing unnecessary weight (and roof racks), keeping your tires properly inflated, and carpooling are all ways to save fuel and money. Also, for a limited time the federal government is offering tax credits of up to $3,000 for new hybrid-electric vehicles. Switching to renewable fuels like biodiesel or ethanol is another way to help reduce carbon emissions.

• Purchase carbon offsets -- Perhaps the fastest and easiest way to become "carbon neutral" is to purchase carbon offset credits. By logging onto a website such as Bonneville Environmental Foundation's "www.greentagsusa.org," you can calculate the amount of carbon dioxide you are responsible for each year, and then pay to partially or completely offset those emissions.

• Contact elected officials -- The mayors of 278 cities, representing nearly 50 million Americans, have joined Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' Climate Protection Agreement. Billings and Missoula are already on board. Why not Helena?

• Contact MEIC -- The Montana Environmental Information Center offers a free "Citizens Guide to Energy Self-Sufficiency" that contains all this information and much more. In addition, MEIC organizes annual solar homes tours, and works to promote clean energy options like the Judith Gap wind project. For more information, call 443-2520 or write to pljudge@meic.org

• See the film/buy the book -- Back by popular demand, the Myrna Loy will once again be screening "An Inconvenient Truth" during the upcoming Montana Climate Challenge conference, Sept. 22-24. Spread the word, and bring your friends! Visit local bookstores for a book of the same title, and visit the website: www.climatecrisis.net.

Patrick Judge is the Energy Program Director for MEIC.