HOW TO TAKE ACTION THE GLOBAL WARMING

How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming

 

Temperatures are rising^[1]

The future is not somewhere we are going. It is something we are creating. Every day we do things that make some futures more probable and others less likely.^[2]
Global warming already disrupts millions of lives daily in the forms of destructive weather patterns and loss of habitat.^[3] What is already happening is only the tip of the melting iceberg, for it is our children and grandchildren who will suffer the greatest from the impacts of global warming. ^[4] Hundreds of millions of people will be exposed to famine, water shortages, extreme weather conditions and a 20 – 30% loss of animal and plant species if we don’t reduce the rate of global warming and reduce GHG emissions.^[5] This article outlines some ways that you can act to help prevent the Earth’s atmosphere from warming further. While humankind has the ability to destroy the planet, we also have the capacity to protect and sustain it.

Reducing your carbon and greenhouse gas emissions will not only make your personal living space more sustainable but it will save you money in both the short and long term. Global warming is occurring more rapidly than it was originally expected to — only forty years ago, ^[6] the big worry was global cooling. Even if you remain a cynic, however, and believe that the majority of scientists are wrong, you’ll benefit from reduced pollution, a healthier lifestyle and increased savings from enacting these simple activities that will not reduce the quality of your life.

[edit] Steps

1. 

   Get educated. Educate yourself about global warming. The more facts you have as to what mainstream science says about it, the more you can persuade others to make simple but effective changes in daily behavior. Energy-saving techniques are either initially expensive (for example, solar power), or take extra time (for example, recycling), so many people need convincing that their efforts matter. ^[7] Always keep in mind that you are aiming to demonstrate the benefits of these activities and highlight how each person can play a vital role in helping to reduce global warming; equally remember that “[c]ivil society does not respond at all well to moralistic scolding.”^[8] Use education to enlighten, not frighten.

2. Vote and influence your government with phone calls, e-mails, letters and meetings with those who represent you in government.
3. 

   Recycle more. 15-25% of people don’t recycle. Recycle more using recycling bins, composting, etc. Encourage neighbors, superintendents, colleagues and businesses to do likewise. Lobby for improved recycling incentives and tougher penalties for using non-renewable where viable alternatives exist. You can be active in this by writing letters, producing blogs and simply conversing with others. ^[9]

4. 

   Use compact fluorescent bulbs. Replace three frequently used light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs/lamps and save 300 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$60 per year. A standard compact fluorescent bulb will save around one third of a tonne of greenhouse gas, along with the cost of six of more incandescent globes.^[10] And you don’t have to change the bulbs as often.Consider using more, and give them as gifts to family and friends. Consider donating a set to a local charity to refit their office with compact fluorescent lights.^[11]

5. 

   Fill the dishwasher. Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$40 per year, or do them by hand with minimal water. ^[12]

6. 

   Use recycled paper. Make sure your printer paper is 100% post consumer recycled paper. Save 5 lbs. of carbon dioxide per ream of paper. Decide if something is really worth printing out. Leave a signature at the bottom of your e-mails reminding the reader to think twice before printing the e-mail. And make the most of scrap paper for shopping lists, notes, scrapbooks, school and college note-taking etc. Only recycle your paper when it has been thoroughly used up! (And don’t forget the potential for making origami and other paper crafts.)

7. 

   Buy locally made and locally grown products. Buy locally to reduce the energy required to transport your goods.^[13] The consumable products we all purchase represent over half of the average family’s carbon footprint! If you successfully encourage neighbors to do this, store owners will be forced to stock local goods. Shop at farmers’ markets – be sure to cycle, walk or share a lift to them, and take carry bags with you.

8. Count your carbon. Keep track of how little carbon you’re using and how much you’re offsetting, and set an example by advertising or talking about your achievement with pride and satisfaction.
   • 

     There is a logo called Carbon Counted that companies can put on their products to communicate their carbon footprint.^[14] Buying products that have a low Carbon Counted footprint number gives consumers a means by which to influence and reward companies that reduce emissions in the creation of their products. In addition, it encourages non-participating companies to participate when consumers increase demand for such products.

   • 

     Use a carbon calculator. These counters enable you to calculate your personal impact by adding up the carbon emissions from your activities. There are counters available for many countries; use your local search engine for results. An international calculator is provided by the World Resources Institute.^[15]

   • 

     Buy energy certificates. Help spur the renewable energy market by participating in it. In doing so, you help to reduce both global warming and pollution output by buying wind certificates, green tags and stocks in renewable energy companies. Many of these companies are new and small and the stock is low in price. While they are high-risk, it is an opportunity to help the company move beyond the initial stages of uncertainty and to corner important, upcoming market niches.^[16] And you have a brilliant opportunity to get rich if the company takes off; just be sure to do your homework first, as you would when investing in anything.

9. 

   Buy minimally packaged goods. Less packaging could reduce your garbage by about 10%. Save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide and $1,000 per year. If you consider a certain products’ packaging to be excessive, mail it to the company with your challenge to the company to reduce its packaging; include suggestions on how if you have ideas. And while you’re at it, feel free to let companies know that if Wal-Mart thinks reduced packaging is not only a good idea but very achievable, then this is likely to set the standard for many businesses in the future.^[17]

10. Insulate.
    • 

      Keeping your water heater insulated could save 1,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$40 per year. Don’t use units fitted with continuous pilot lights and you will save AUD$40 and 200 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions yearly.^[18] Also, use less hot water. For example, if the shower is too cold, don’t turn up the hot water but turn down the cold water.

    • 

      Be energy wise and insulate your entire home to keep down the heating and cooling costs. If your insulation is old or inefficient, do yourself a favor and fix it; not only will it reduce your output of emissions but it’ll reduce your energy bills considerably. Consider the attic, crawlspaces, basement, walls and ceiling. If you have awkward spaces, don’t forget that cellulose or fiberglass insulation can be blown in by a professional contractor.^[19]

11. Replace old appliances and reduce reliance on them.
    • 

      Inefficient appliances such as fridges, washing machines etc., waste energy. Save hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year by replacing them (and having your old appliance recycled or disposed of properly). Many countries have “energy star” ratings on new appliances that allow you to assess the energy usage of the appliance. You may even be able to check online before you go shopping, to save time.

    • 

      While you’re at it, reassess appliances that you really do not need to use, such as plug-in air fresheners. Try opening the windows instead (and throwing out that rotting fruit bowl) and replace with natural air freshener alternatives. Other items include the many so-called time-saving devices in your kitchen. By the time you finish assembling, disassembling and cleaning some kitchen appliances, the old-fashioned method may prove appealing. Compare and use commonsense – if you need an appliance a lot because you’re a hobby chef or it really does do the job well, keep it but don’t if it just vexes you and you don’t mind the non-powered alternative. Also consider if one appliance can do the job of several and prefer that model over purchasing several – you’ll be grateful for the extra space.

12. 

    Weather strip your home. Caulk and weather strip your doorways, windows and air conditioners. Save 1,700 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$274 per year. You will discover the that the costs of caulking are far outweighed by savings in fuel costs and increased comfort level.^[20]

13. 

    Use a push mower and reduce the lawn. Use your muscles instead of fossil fuels and get some strength-building exercise. Save 80 lbs of carbon dioxide per year. Consider planting rock/cactus garden, ivy, wildflowers, native grasses etc., instead of a water-wasting, pesticide and fertilizer using bland lawn. Fertilizers and pesticides require the use of chemicals and oil in their production. Reducing usage of these products reduces our reliance on oil, reduces global warming emissions and reduces human exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.

14. 

    Unplug unused electronics. Even when electronic devices are turned off, they use energy. Save over 1,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and US$256 per year by unplugging them.

15. 

    Grow fast growing plants. Plants like bamboo grow faster and produce 35% more oxygen than trees like oak or birch, and require less chemicals and care. Make sure that the plants are appropriate for your area; prefer native over introduced species and do not plant problem species.

16. 

    Take public transportation. Taking the bus, the train, the subway or other forms of public transportation lessens the load on the roads and reduces one’s individual greenhouse gas emissions (an average of 1600 pounds of GHG emissions per year can be saved).^[21] As an added bonus, some new buses are even hybrid already, depending on where you live in the world. Taking public transport removes the stress of long road commutes and gives you a great opportunity to read, think and relax. On some train services, you can even use a computer. You also save on parking money and time wasted looking for parks.

17. 

    Ride a bicycle. Taking the bike instead of the car is a very simple solution. However, if you experience such problems as lack of suitable bike paths, having to deal with congested traffic or hilly terrain, you are faced with a few challenges. They are, however, challenges that you as an individual can overcome with a little determination.

    • Ask your municipality, city or local government to start making bike trails in your area and to make sure that bicyclists are kept safe from traffic in the same way that pedestrians are afforded this right. Get the local community behind you – a few neighbors, the street or the whole suburb!
    • And if you have hilly terrain, there are solutions also – building up your strength gradually is one way and adding a small motor that runs on veggie oil may be another solution. With this latter solution, however, you’ll need to be creative – it has been done and we challenge you to be the first to put an article on wikiHow on how to do it!
18. Use your vehicle as a tool against global warming. If you can’t live without a car, then use it in a way that minimizes global impact.
    • 

      Buy a hybrid car. The average driver could save 16,000 lbs. of CO2 and $3,750 per year driving a hybrid. Plug-in hybrids can save even more and give cash-back (see V2G). Encourage your company to create incentive plans for this as their workers might be more likely to be on time.

    • 

      Buy a fuel efficient car. Save up to 20,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year using a more fuel efficient car – that’s a savings of AUD$10,000 over a car’s lifetime.^[22] Buying fuel efficient cars also encourage companies to continue making and improving them owing to increased demand.

    • Practice green driving. Save gas and lower stress levels by being a considerate driver. Improve fuel efficiency by removing unused external objects such as roof racks, discontinuing idling where possible and removing loads from the trunk/boot that are not necessary.^[23]
    • 

      Keep the tires on your car adequately inflated – under inflated tires can reduce fuel economy by up to 3% and increase wear and tear on your tires.^[24]Keep your car tires inflated. Check them monthly. Save 250 lbs. of carbon dioxide and US$840 per year. A good gift is a tire air-pressure gauge as it not only saves money but makes driving safer. ^[25]

    • 

      Change your air filter. Check your car’s air filter monthly. Save 800 pounds of carbon dioxide and US$130 per year. ^[26]

[edit] Tips

• Even if humans do not contribute to global warming (although the scientific evidence now points clearly to anthropogenic causes of planetary warming),^[27] these steps reduce smog, acid rain, oil spills, smog, soot, foreign dependence, smaller landfills, less wasted resources and cleaner and more available water. Reduced pollution is good for the health of all living beings and for our heritage buildings that are easily damaged by acidic rain and soot.
• Buy water in large bottles to reduce packaging and transportation costs. The latest movement is to use more tap water and to cease usage of bottled water.^[28] Why? Well, it helps to stop making water a commodity beyond paying for it to reach your home. It stops chemicals leaching from the plastic into the water and then being ingested by you. It also helps to reduce all the haulage costs (energy and financial wise) involved in carting water around in this way. And most of all, it encourages a return to provision of good quality water services from our municipal/local water providers through community-wide expectations.
• The ultimate in recycling is to not use a product at all, if possible. If you do not need it, it may be that you are wasting resources. Always be conscious of using or buying items as a substitute for things you feel you are missing in life – shopping cannot salve a broken heart for long but it can break the bank and clutter your home! Rent movies, and video games instead of buying them, or buy them used, or at a garage sale. Check out books in the library or buy them used, or at a garage sale