Whether people believe that global warming is a hoax or not, lets face it, our planet is not in the greatest shape. I have some friends that think that global warming is a real thing, but besides recycling they have no idea how to make a difference. Many people don’t try to help the Earth not because they don’t care, but because they are uneducated on how to make a difference. So here is a list of things that help our planet (I put in a couple things for conserving water too):
- USING FLORESCENT LIGHT BULBS: These bulbs come in all shapes and sizes for any fixture. Light bulbs give off a lot of carbon into the air. The florescent ones are a little more expensive then the common bulb, but they will last a lot longer.
- USE A TOTE BAG: If we use tote bags instead of the plastic or paper bags when we go to the grocery store, save the air from the carbon that would be put in the air to make the bag. Even recycled goods put a little carbon into the air, just not as much.
- MAKE SURE YOUR AIR FILTERS ARE CLEAN: Besides making the air a little cleaner for the planet, you should make it cleaner for your own home.
- WALK, BIKE, SKATEBOARD, ROLLERBLADE, ETC… MORE: Whenever you can manage not driving somewhere, walk or ride your bike.
- USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Most major cities have a good bus system, or light rail, try using it once a week instead of driving.
- CARPOOL: They made carpool lanes on some freeways to encourage it. If someone else in the car with you, it means they’re not driving.
- TURN OFF AND UNPLUG: It always saves energy to turn off a light when you are not using it, but this also works with other appliances that suck up energy. Even if the appliance is off, it is still draining energy while plugged in. Refrigerators and microwaves use “dirty” energy, and if we use battery operated wall clocks to look at the time instead of microwaves, then we can unplug them and stop some of the dirty energy.
- HELP GREEN ENERGY: Many power companies have a green program to fund more natural energy power (like solar panels or windmills). You can call them and be put on their program. You can also install solar panels to your house. It’s on the more expensive side, but whenever you are not using your power your meter will actually run backwards and the power company will pay you for the power you give back.
- RECYCLE! I know it sounds like a cliché, but recycling really does help out more than people realize.
- BUY RECYCLED GOODS: Recycling does no good if we don’t use the products that we took time to recycle.
- PLANT A GARDEN: You could eat all of the fruit and vegetables that you produce, that way a man in a big gas guzzling truck doesn’t have to ship your food from two states away. Also it helps local pollinators.
- PLANT A TREE: Not just for Arbor Day, plant a tree because they live off of carbon dioxide.It also helps if you keep a plant in your house to suck the carbon, which is produced inside (and it makes good home decorations).
- BUY ENERGY EFFICIENT APPLIANCES: There are new appliances that say Energy Star, and they use less energy.
- WRAP YOUR WATER HEATER: Wrap your water with a thermal blanket because your water heater produces carbon in the air.
- DRIVE ALTERNATE FUEL VEHICLE: It’s not in everyone’s budget to by an alternate fuel vehicle, but if you can that’s great.
- PASS EMISSIONS: Even if you can’t buy a hybrid car or something, at least keep your car up to standards, or even a little better. Also consider driving a smaller car to work, instead of a big SUV.
- TURN OFF HEATER AND AIR CONDTIONER: Whenever you can do without them, do without them. And if you can’t do without them try keeping it a little warmer in the summer, and a little cooler in the winter.
- WASTING WATER: When you brush your teeth turn the water off until it is time for you to rinse. It also works in the shower, it’s hard to take a five minutes shower, but while you suds up keep the water off until you need to rinse off.
It is hard for us to follow of these things, but if we try our best to do as much as we can, we can help our planet get ready for the future.
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I son't think anyone can disagree...
I love that you took the time to post these ideas. Through these ideas, people can prevent further destruction of the planet. However, to truly begin to save the planet, we've got to have a leader we can look up to who can organize our efforts and educate people about how to improve our habits of consumption and destruction. Your list reached people who can afford to purchase internet services, who are for the most part educated. If you really want to make a difference, try reaching out to areas in your city who perhaps cannot afford internet or do not realize that their habits are wasteful.
Good luck and thanks for posting this! :]
Thanks for acknowledging the alternate global warming viewpoint.
This was a good article. I like how we can do more to help the planet by conserving energy and contributing our own time and efforts as opposed to donating money to organizations. As an engineer, I'm really looking forward to contributing to the energy industry, and possibly helping to resolve the impending energy crisis from fossil fuel consumption!
USE A TOTE BAG: If we use tote bags instead of the plastic or paper bags when we go to the grocery store, save the air from the carbon that would be put in the air to make the bag.
The Kroger chain of stores, here at any rate, also give you a discount when you use your own tote type bags. It's not much... three cents a bag I think, but it adds up after a while.
:)
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~Fallon~
"I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud of thoughts which were not their thoughts" -Lord Byron
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