The All-China Women's Federation, the Civilization Office of the Central Communist Party Committee, and the National Development and Reform Commission have jointly pushed for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Community Action by carrying out a "Low Carbon Family and Fashionable Life" activity this year.

Activities are to be held by women and within households nationwide to promote a low-carbon lifestyle, to spread low-carbon awareness, and to encourage families to live a green life of low energy, low emission, low expense and low cost. Each household is encouraged to live a green life so as to form a life style and a consumption pattern that conserves energy and protects the environment. Families are to contribute their efforts to the development of an economy based on green energy, low-carbon output, and recycling.

The activity is to be carried out in China's 31 provinces, antonomous regions, municipalities, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Launching ceremonies will be held at the capital of each local administrative region. The launching ceremony in Beijing will indicate the start of the activity. The activity will make an appeal to all families to live a low-cabon lifestyle. Posters will be put up. Banners will be hung high. Leaflets will be distributed among the participants.

The activity will sponsor the publication of books educating people on how to live a low-carbon life. Essay contests on a low-carbon life will be held by the media, such as China Women's News and Marriage and Family Magazine.

The activity will also sponsor a competition to select stand out methods and inventions that facilitate a low-carbon life. The winning ideas will be assembled into a book and a CD, which will be distributed in communities.

The activity will encourage families nationwide to implement a "15 rule household low-carbon plan." The 15 rules are as follows: (1) use energy conserving lights, turn off the lights and pull out the plug when you leave; (2) open the windows more often and use air conditioners less; (3) use water conserving facilities and recyle water; (4) use warm water when washing clothes and dry them in the sun; (5) carry your own cup instead of using disposable cups; (6) drink more water and drink less bottled beverages; (7) carry your own chopsticks and spoon when eating out; (8) use cloth bags instead of plastic bags when shopping; (9) climb stairs instead of using the elevator when possible; (10) drive two days less a week and take the subway and buses more; (11) walk or bike to work once or twice a week; (12) do more outdoor activities and exercise less in the gym; (13) eat less meat and keep a healthy diet; (14) grow more plants at home for a better household environment; (15) establish a household low-carbon archives and monitor the reduction of carbon emissions every month.