FTR ECO SITE
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WHAT CAUSES GLOBAL WARMING?
Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution -- they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually.
RESPONSIBLE CHOICES
The choices we make and the products we buy test our commitment to maintain a healthy planet. When we burn fossil fuels—such as oil, coal, and natural gas—to run our cars and light our homes, we pump carbon dioxide (CO2) into the air. This thickens the heat-trapping blanket that surrounds the planet, causing global warming. Choosing modern technology can reduce our use of fossil fuels and help protect the planet. These ten steps will help curb global warming, save you money, and create a safer environment for the future.
Good news: technologies exist today to make cars that run cleaner and burn less gas, modernize power plants and generate electricity from nonpolluting sources, and cut our electricity use through energy efficiency. The challenge is to be sure these solutions are put to use.
What can an individual simply make?
There are many and simple things for individuals such as;
* First awareness,
* Choose an efficient vehicle,
* Drive smart,
* Drive less,
* Buy energy-efficient appliances,
* Replace light bulps with fluorescent bulps,
* Weatherize your home or apartment,
* Choose renewable energy,
* Buy clean energy certificated goods...
Drive Smart!
A well-tuned car with properly inflated tires burns less gasoline—cutting pollution and saving you money at the pump. If you have two cars, drive the one with better gas mileage/kilometer whenever possible. Better yet, skip the drive and take public transit, walk, or bicycle when you can. When you buy a new car, just buy hybrid versions.
Buy Local and Organic!
Did you know ''most meal'' travels around 100 - 1000 km from the farm to your plate? Think of all the energy wasted and pollution added to the atmosphere - not to mention all the pesticides and chemicals used to grow most produce! So go to your local organic farmer to get your fruits and veggies.
Support clean, renewable energy!
Renewable energy solutions, such as wind and solar power, can reduce our reliance on coal-burning power plants, the largest source of global warming pollution in most countries.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs!
Especially those that burn the longest each day. Compact fluorescents produce the same amount of light as normal bulbs, but use about a quarter of the electricity and last ten times as long. Each switch you make helps clean the air today, curb global warming, and save you money on your electricity bill.
Saving energy at home is good for the environment and for your wallet!
Start with caulking and weather-stripping on doorways and windows. Then adjust your thermostat and start saving. For each degree you lower your thermostat in the winter, you can cut your energy bills by 3 percent.
Become a smart water consumer!
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets and you'll use half the water without decreasing performance. Then turn your hot water heater 5 degree Celcius, and see hot-water costs go down by as much as 40-50 percent.
Buy energy-efficient electronics and appliances!
Replacing an old refrigerator or an air conditioner with an energy-efficient model will save you money on your electricity bill and cut global warming pollution. Look for the Energy Star label on new appliances.
Plant a Tree, protect a forest!
Protecting forests is a big step on the road to curbing global warming. Simply,trees "breathe in" carbon dioxide. And you can take action in your own backyard — planting shade trees around your house will absorb CO2, and slash your summer air-conditioning bills.
Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!
Producing new paper, glass, and metal products from recycled materials saves 70 to 90 percent of the energy and pollution, including CO2, that would result if the product came from virgin materials. Recycling a stack of newspapers only 1,2 meters high will save a good-sized tree. So, buy recycled products!
Mount a local campaign against global warming!
Educate your community / family / friends / relatives about how it can cut global warming pollution.
