Wednesday, March 10, 2010

How to Stop Global Warming

How to Stop Global Warming
By Tom A Sullivan

It takes a global effort to stop or slow global warming. We have started this process as we began powering our technological devices using fossil fuels to make our electricity. We continue to add to global warming efforts as we burn forests (the only think that takes the Carbon out of the atmosphere) to make way for more room for us. It is our responsibility to fix this problem. There are several things that each person can do as an individual to lessen their contribution to global warming.

Some ways to reduce your carbon footprint are obvious, while others are less known to the public. One of the obvious ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to lessen the fossil fuels used in your vehicle by driving a fuel-efficient car, buying a hybrid car, carpooling and using public transportation when possible, or not driving or riding at all. Another one we have all heard is to not use as much energy in our home.

Turn off lights and electronic devices when not in use. Move your water heater to a lower setting. Wash clothes in cold water. Buy energy-efficient appliances. Install energy efficient light bulbs. Keep your home well insulated to save on air-conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter. Install Solar Panels.

However, there may be some less known ways that you can be saving energy and reducing your contribution to global warming. One way is to recycle. Recycling products, such as paper, plastic, cans, and glass bottles saves a ton of energy. It takes significantly less energy to create a product from recycled material than to manufacture that product from scratch. So, when you recycle you are not only saving space in the landfill, but you are reducing energy usage, which equals less Carbon into the air.

Another little known energy saving secret is to unplug electronic appliances not in use. Even though you don't have a device powered on, if it is plugged into an outlet, it is drawing electricity even if it is off. So that toaster that you only used for 5 minutes this morning that remains plugged into your wall for the extent of the day, is drawing energy the whole time. This tip not only decreases your Carbon footprint, but it will lower your energy bill as well.

Humans caused the pollution that is creating global warming and it is our responsibility to clean it up. It is each of our responsibilities to decrease our own carbon footprint. The bonus is that almost all the tips that reduce your carbon footprint also save you money. So what are you going to do for your planet (and your wallet)?

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