Can we reduce global warming ?
What will happen if global warming
continues?
There are already some changes happening because of
global warming. Sea level is rising and some animals are already moving to new
homes. It’s already too late to stop global warming completely.
If the warming gets worse, as scientists expect, there may be some kinds of
plants and animals that become extinct (disappear completely) because they
can’t move to new homes. There may be more storms and floods. Sea level may
rise so much that people have to move away from the coasts. Some areas may
become too dry for farming.
Global warming : Cause and effects
Do scientists agree about global warming ?
Scientists who study the climate are still arguing
about how fast the earth is warming and how much it will warm, but they do
agree that the earth is warming and that it will keep warming if we don’t do
anything about it.
What is causing global warming?
Scientists agree that the burning of fossil fuels
like oil and coal cause greenhouse gases to escape into the air and that these
gases are causing most of the warming. Another cause is deforestation. Trees
soak up carbon dioxide, one of the greenhouse gases, from the air.
Top 10 Things - Do to Reduce Global Warming
i) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable
products instead of disposables. Buying products with minimal packaging
(including the economy size when that makes sense for you) will help to reduce
waste. And whenever you can, recycle paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum
cans. If there isn't a recycling program at your workplace, school, or in your
community, ask about starting one. By recycling half of your household waste,
you can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually
ii) Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and
installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows can lower
your heating costs more than 25 percent, by reducing the amount of energy you
need to heat and cool your home. Turn down the heat while you’re sleeping at
night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times.
Setting your thermostat just 2 degrees lower in winter and higher in summer
could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
iii) Change
a Light Bulb
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs
with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Replacing just one 60-watt
incandescent light bulb with a CFL will save you $30 over the life of the bulb.
CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, use two-thirds less
energy, and give off 70 percent less heat. If every U.S.
iv) Drive Less and Drive Smart
Less driving means fewer emissions. Besides saving
gasoline, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Explore your
community’s mass transit system, and check out options for carpooling to work
or school. When you do drive, make sure your car is running efficiently. For
example, keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by
more than 3 percent. Every gallon of gas you save not only helps your budget,
it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
v) Buy Energy-Efficient Products
When it's time to buy a new car, choose one that
offers good gas mileage. Home appliances now come in a range of
energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide
more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light
bulbs. Avoid products that come with excess packaging, especially molded
plastic and other packaging that can't be recycled. If you reduce your
household garbage by 10 percent, you can save 1,200 pounds of carbon dioxide
annually.
vi) Use Less Hot Water
Set your water heater at 120 degrees to save
energy, and wrap it in an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old.
Buy low-flow showerheads to save hot water and about 350 pounds of carbon
dioxide yearly. Wash your clothes in warm or cold water to reduce your use of
hot water and the energy required to produce it. That change alone can save at
least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households. Use the
energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry.
vii) Use the “Off” Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by
turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you
need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and
computer when you’re not using them. It’s also a good idea to turn off the
water when you’re not using it. While brushing your teeth, shampooing the dog
or washing your car, turn off the water until you actually need it for rinsing.
You’ll reduce your water bill and help to conserve a vital resource.
viii) Plant a Tree
If you have the means to plant a tree, start
digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide
and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric
exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter
the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and
other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of
carbon dioxide during its lifetime.
ix) Get a Report Card from Your Utility
Company
Many utility companies provide free home energy
audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy
efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help
pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.
x) Encourage Others to Conserve
Share information about recycling and energy
conservation with your friends, neighbors and co-workers, and take
opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies
that are good for the environment. These 10 steps will take you a long way
toward reducing your energy use and your monthly budget. And less energy use
means less dependence on the fossil fuels that create greenhouse gases and
contribute to global warming.
http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm