[Long Island, NY] Like most Americans, Long Islanders' super-sized energy habits amount to a whopping amount of carbon dioxide emissions but on May 18th local environmental groups are offering an innovative carbon-diet workshop for those willing to step on the climate change scale.

Participants in the full day program will learn how to go on a low carbon diet empowering them to shed 5,000 pounds of climate-changing greenhouse gas emission in thirty days. The LI Climate Action Network workshop trains participants as volunteer educators and community organizer who will establish Local Action Networks to raise awareness of available hands-on solutions to climate change and to assist community members in cutting carbon emissions.

"Instead of just worrying about climate change people can now sign up and learn how to cut back on their greenhouse gas emissions," said Gordian Raacke, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Long Island. "We will teach people in small groups what concrete steps they can take to reduce carbon emissions from their home, their workplace and in their community."

Renewable Energy Long Island (RELI), a not-for-profit organization advocating for sustainable energy practices, received grants from the Rauch Foundation and the New Tudor Foundation to establish the Long Island Climate Action Network (LI-CAN) program. The program is supported by the Neighborhood Network and Healthy Planet.

The 5000 pound diet includes actions such as recycling, reducing hot water and electricity consumption, and cutting car travel when possible. Participants can pick actions that suit them best from a menu of options and receive online credit for the carbon savings once they have followed through. The diet is based on the work book "Low Carbon Diet" by David Gershon of the Empowerment Institute.

The first full day workshop will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2008 starting at 10 AM in Farmingdale.

It is free of charge to volunteer trainees who must register at RenewableEnergyLongIsland.org