Global warming questions?
Answer:
Fortunately there are many easy things that can be done. below are some ideas, the links to other websites will provide more ideas...
There are several things that can be done including reducing dependency on fossil fuels, recycling, becoming more energy efficient, offsetting carbon emissions and using technology to combat global warming.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT HOME
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● When replacing appliances buy energy efficient ones.
● Turn off electrical appliances when not in use, don’t use the standby option.
● Use energy efficient light bulbs and switch off lights when not in use.
● Fit individual thermostats to radiators and don't heat rooms that aren't used.
● Insulate walls, lofts, hot water tanks and pipes.
● Turn your heating and air conditioning down, a small difference will be barely noticeable.
● Similarly, turn down water heating by a few degrees.
● Sign up to a green energy supplier, one that produces energy from renewable sources.
● Turn off heating and air-conditioning when the house is unoccupied.
● Wash full loads of clothes at a lower temperature; modern machines and detergents are just as effective at lower temperatures.
● Dry your clothes outdoors instead of in a tumble drier.
● Wash full loads in the dishwasher.
● Insulate your home and block draughts around doors and windows. In Europe this is free to many people.
● Consider installing a renewable energy system such as solar panels or a home wind turbine.
● Use rechargeable batteries; don’t leave rechargers on for longer than is needed (including mobile / cell-phones).
● Boil only as much water in the kettle as you need.
● Buy locally produced organic food where possible, there's less transportation and the farming methods are more environmentally friendly.
● Look where goods were manufactured and avoid buying those that have been flown or shipped long distances.
● Recycle and reuse as much as possible. Sign up with mail preferential services to stop junk mail.
● Avoid buying products with excessive packaging.
● Don’t have your fridge or freezer set lower than need to be, regularly defrost freezers, don’t put hot food into your fridge or freezer.
● If your fridge or freezer is over 15 years old then consider replacing it (check with local authority regarding disposal of old one).
● Work from home where possible.
● Eat less meat and dairy produce, farming produces large quantities of greenhouse gases.
ENERGY EFFICIENT TRAVELLING
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For many people a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Each gallon of gasoline burned produces 10kg (20 pounds) of carbon dioxide. A motorist driving 15,000 miles a year in a vehicle that delivers 30mpg will produce 5000kg of carbon emissions whereas a vehicle returning 50mpg will produce 3000kg.
● Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, if you have more than one vehicle then use the most economical one more often.
● Consider walking or cycling when going to work or taking the kids to schools, if you have to drive then consider car sharing.
● Use public transport where possible and consider taking a coach or train instead of using domestic flights.
● When replacing your vehicle look at diesel and liquid petroleum gas models.
● Combine multiple journeys into one and do your weekly shopping in a single trip.
● Stagger journeys where possible to avoid rush hour traffic and hold ups.
FUEL SAVING TIPS FOR DRIVERS
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By driving carefully and keeping your vehicle in good condition you can save up to 30% on your fuel bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. Below are some tips for increasing fuel efficiency.
● Avoid harsh braking, accelerate gently and drive at a steady speed.
● Keep tyres inflated to the correct pressure.
● Remove bike and ski racks when not in use, also remove detachable roof racks, luggage boxes etc.
● Carrying unnecessary weight wastes fuel, declutter your vehicle.
● Use the correct gear and use cruise control if your vehicle has it.
● Keep your vehicle regularly services.
● Turn the engine off when stopped or waiting.
MORE ENERGY SAVING TIPS
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Natural Resource Defense Council - http://www.nrdc.org/air/energy/genergy.a...
Energy Saving Trust - http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/
Carbon Footprint - http://www.carbonfootprint.com/index.htm...
Carbon Trust - http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/energy...
Energy Quest - http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/saving_ene...
US Government - http://www.energy.gov/energyefficiency/i...
Alliance to Save Energy - http://www.ase.org/
UK Government - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/environmenta...
Rough Guides - http://www.roughguides.com/savingenergy/...
Salt River Project - http://www.srpnet.com/menu/energy.aspx...
CARBON OFFSETTING
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Each of us leaves behind what is commonly referred to as a 'carbon footprint'. This is a measure of the environmental impact in terms of the amount of greenhouses gases produced; it is measured as the equivalent number of units of carbon dioxide. The global average is 5 tons per person per year, in developed nations the average is 11 tons and in the US it is 19 tons.
Carbon Offsetting is one way to reduce or eliminate your carbon footprint; in most cases this involves calculating your greenhouse gas emissions and planting trees so as to absorb an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide. Some websites where you can calculate your carbon footprint and purchase offsetting are:
The Woodland Trust - http://www.carbonbalanced.org/
Carbon Footprint - http://www.carbonfootprint.com/usa/calcu...
The Carbon Neutral Company - http://www.carbonneutral.com/pinfo/carbo...
My Climate - http://www.myclimate.org/index.php?lang=...
Atmosfair - http://www.atmosfair.de/index.php?id=9&l...
20 years ago it was global cooling get a life
If by "we," you mean individuals, we can use energy-saving light bulbs, not leave the water running while we're brushing our teeth, turn down the thermostat in the winter and turn it up in the summer. We can be sure to recycle paper, cans, and bottles. We can pull weeds instead of poisoning the ground. Think what would happen if millions of us did this; the world would be a better place and we wouldn't be risking extinction of many species -- including Homo Sapiens. We can also contact our legislators to tell them to work on finding alternate sources for fossil fuels. One person CAN make a difference.
"WE" can help the environment, but "global warming" is a natural phenomenon, it has been going on since the beginning of time!
Geo-scientist have determined that O2 emissions from humans are a very very small part of ther"global warming" issue!
Take some time and do some research and you'll discover the facts. Actually a very interesting subject!
kill the whales, its all there fault... there is something fishy about them breathing our air, yet living in water..
I agree that energy conservation is the best place to start for easy things. An inspiring documentary movie - that shows many other good reasons is called "Kilowatt Ours." You will go out and buy all new light bulbs right after seeing it!
www.kilowattours.org
Some cheaper, but significant recommendations: (pays off even if you rent!)
-Use all compact fluorescent lightbulbs you can (be sure to recycle them though, they use mercury!)
-Find a cheap used energy efficient refrigerator. The frige is usually the #2 energy user.
-Seal windows & doors from drafts.
-Wear warmer clothes inside in the winter.
-Look at your energy savings& then invest that in renewables - your utility usually offers an amount you can pay toward that.
-Eat more vegetarian meals (unless you're a veggie already of course)
-Bike, walk and plan trips better. Live where you don't have to drive so much
Getting involved in organizing something is even better. I think we need to start by getting local & state governments to set policy to reduce local carbon footprints.
Woodstock NY is one example:
http://www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cf...
Nothing... even if it is man caused (I don't happen to believe that it is). in order to make a change significant enough to halt or even slow down Global Warming one would have to eliminate 9/10ths of the Human Race... it's just a matter of numbers...
if everybody left the fridge door ope an extra minute would help the planet
The easiest thing to do is just the opposite thing we did in 1979. Wait for it to cool down! I say about another 5 Years and the everybody can start to worry about global Ice-ages again.
Don't buy a priuse(probably not spelled right) they pollute the Environment more before they leave the factory than a Hummer does in it's intire useful life.
Go to Antartica where the interior is actually cooling already.
Don't support Al Gores abuse of the environment, this year alone he's used more resources than you will in the next 20.
Just for starters
Danni
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