Top Ten Simple Steps to Reducing Global Warming Emissions 
Top Ten Simple Steps to Reducing Global Warming Emissions
If
you’re planning a family trip to Glacier National Park in Montana, make
sure to schedule it within the next 22 years. Scientists estimate that
by 2030 there may not be a single glacier left – that is how quickly
the ice is melting. In this way and many, many others, global warming
affects us all. And while the United States is only four percent of the
world’s population, we are responsible for 22 percent of the world’s
greenhouse gas emissions. We especially, then, have a responsibility to
reduce our emissions and concentrate on stopping climate change.
Global
warming is the result of too much of a good thing. Greenhouse gases
such as CO2 are natural and necessary to an extent, but too much causes
the atmosphere to thicken. This thickening causes more heat to be
trapped within the atmospheric blanket and temperatures to rise,
resulting in climate change. The problem impacts us all, and it is
happening right now. Every person emits their share of CO2 and other
greenhouse gases through daily activities. This share of CO2 can be
greatly reduced if certain simple steps are consciously taken. Every
small reduction in CO2 emissions makes a big difference because WE ADD
UP. Here are 10 simple steps that anyone can take to reduce their
emissions:
Recycle. Recycling is something simple that anyone
can do everyday – from recycling the morning’s newspaper to the plastic
bottle from lunchtime. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and
7,000 gallons of water. Plus, trees actively remove CO2 from the
atmosphere. Amazingly enough, recycling just one aluminum can saves
enough energy to power a television for three hours.
Buy Local.
Before arriving at your plate, the average meal travels more than 1,200
miles – all the while using precious energy and CO2. Make an effort to
buy as many products as possible that are locally produced – from food
and clothes to furniture. It will ensure that the energy consumed by
transportation is as low as possible.
Eat Less Meat. Livestock
is responsible for 18 percent of global warming emissions. The millions
of cattle being raised around the world release enormous amounts of
methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Limiting one’s meat consumption
will encourage cattle growers to raise smaller herds, which will help
cool our planet.
Bike. Make a significant contribution to stop
climate change by biking to do your errands, attend school and work.
You will save one pound of CO2 for every one mile you don’t
drive.Additionally, you will enjoy the benefits of increased health and
vitality.
Demand Change. You can demand that your elected
leaders make the climate a priority. Create change by writing letters,
making phone calls, voting and campaigning for officials and policies
that help ensure our earth’s recovery. You can make a difference!
Lights
Off. If you’re using compact fluorescent light bulbs, turn your lights
off anytime you leave a room for more than 15 minutes. This will ensure
you save energy and prolong the life of the bulb. If you’re using
incandescent bulbs, turn your lights off every time you leave a room.
You will be surprised at the energy you save.
Drink Tap. Bottled
water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste each year, which
takes about 47 million gallons of oil to produce. The vast majority of
plastic bottles end up in landfills. So make sure to filter your tap
water and drink up.
Unplug. Appliances and chargers (including
MP3 player and cell phone chargers) left plugged in drain electricity,
even when they’re not in use. Forty percent of all household
electricity used to power home appliances and electronics is utilized
while the devices are turned off. Using power strips and unplugging
unnecessary electronics can save a great deal of money and energy.
Go
Organic. Organic agriculture produces soil that is excellent at storing
carbon and keeping it out of the atmosphere. Organic fields are also
more resistant to intense droughts and floods (a consequence of global
warming) than conventional fields. Purchasing organic products supports
the increase of organic acreage, thereby keeping even more CO2 out of
the atmosphere.
Switch. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
last 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs and require far less
energy to run. If every home in the United States switched just one
incandescent bulb to a CFL, it would be the equivalent of taking one
million cars off the roads.
Everyone can do something to fight
global warming, and simple steps are all it takes to make a difference.
If each of us does our part to reduce our greenhouse emissions, we can
create a healthy, thriving planet for generations to come. The majority
of scientists agree that in order to continue living comfortably on
this planet, we must reduce our carbon emissions by 80 percent by the
year 2050. That’s only a two percent reduction per year if we begin
now. Remember, no one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
WE ADD UP.
Source: http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/weaddup.htm
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