10 Things You Can Do to Help Save This Planet
We hear a lot these days about global warming and climate change, about scientists working on solutions and politicians arguing over policy. But, what can we as individuals actually do to help solve these problems that threaten to destroy our planet?
Although you might feel like you are so small and insignificant that your day-to-day decisions have no real impact on this planet, you would be wrong. Even small changes on a global scale across homes nationwide can have a profound effect on the environment. It’s that simple. Either you can continue contributing to the problem or you can help solve it.
AMERICA’S ROLE
Did you know that on average, America’s per capita emissions of heat-trapping gases is four times the global average? How embarrassing for a country that constantly prides itself on being the best. Not only that, it is over twice that of countries with similar standards of living like Japan and most European countries. Therefore, just a few small changes in this country alone will have a significant impact worldwide and they do not have to interfere with our standards of living or modern conveniences.
But before we talk about things you can do, I want to address a misconception about global warming. Do not be fooled by the term “global warming.” It doesn’t just mean warm summers. It means changes in jet streams, weather patterns, sea surface temperatures and evaporation. These in turn can cause extreme cold temperatures, hurricanes, storms and heavy rains from increased precipitation. You can actually expect harsher winters in a warming world and extreme weather patterns. Scientists have already found evidence that climate change contributed to California’s historic, deadly wildfires and the powerful, destructive hurricanes we’ve been seeing.
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO
Below is a list of 10 things you can do to help make a difference.
1. Reduce Consumption of Fossil Fuels
Get out and walk or ride a bike to local destinations.
Many cities have e-bikes and scooters you can rent for slightly longer trips. You simply pay and go, no need to return them to their starting destination when you’re done either.
Work remotely to avoid long commutes and hold inter-office meetings via remote online platforms like Zoom, Blue Jeans or WebEx.
Use public mass transportation - buses, trolleys, trams, light rail trains, etc.
When you buy your next car, purchase one with the best fuel economy. Consider a hybrid or electric car that does not rely on fossil fuels. The fuel savings alone for an electric vehicle can be $4,700 or more over the first seven years.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated on your vehicle and get regular tune ups. These two things can improve gas mileage by 0.6% on average, something most of us never even consider and it has the added benefit of making your vehicle and tires last longer.
2. Power Your Home with Renewable Energy
Choose utility companies that generate power from wind or solar.
Some utilities allow you to choose alternate electricity sources. Contact your electric company to inquire about options.
Install solar panels.
Replace traditional lightbulbs with LED bulbs that use 80% less electricity.
3. Reduce Water Waste
According to the EPA, the average American family uses over 300 gallons of water daily at home. This equates to 56.25 lbs. of carbon dioxide a day. The constant increase can impact the radiation balance of the atmosphere causing a “greenhouse” effect and global warming.
Wasting water does not just diminish our water supply, leaving us with less accessible, usable water. It also wastes a significant amount of electricity. It takes a ton of energy to pump, heat and treat water. If just 1 in 100 homes in the US were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, it would reduce our electric consumption by almost 100 million kw hours per year saving 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.
Install shower flow reducers/regulators.
Take shorter showers.
Install Water Sense fixtures and appliances.
4. Weatherize Your Home
Failure to properly weatherize your home results in air leaks that may account for 15-25% of the heat your home loses in winters or gains in summers.
Make sure insulation around windows and doors is air-tight.
Install dual pane windows.
Take advantage of free home energy inspections offered by most utility companies.
5. Replace Old Appliances With Energy Efficient Models
Reduce your energy consumption by replacing appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, clothes washers, dryers, ceiling fans, heat pumps and air purifiers.
Energy Star is a program run by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. Appliances with the Energy Star label have been certified energy-efficient products.
Energy Star labels can also be found on computers, servers, home electronics, imaging equipment like printers and lighting. Even new homes and apartments can earn a label by meeting energy efficiency requirements.
Replace old appliances with newer models and look for the Energy Star Label.
Replace your water heater with a solar powered version.
6. Reduce the Use of Plastics
Replace the everyday products you use with environmentally friendly alternatives that don’t use plastic.
Plastics and their ingredients are pervading our oceans and land, filling up our landfills at astronomical rates and contributing to health problems in both humans and wildlife.
The only real solution to our plastic epidemic is to stop using them! Read my article, 10 Environmentally Friendly, Plastic Free Products You’ve Never Thought to Use.
6. Wash Clothes in Cold Water
About 90% of the energy used by washing machines goes toward simply heating the water. This is completely wasted energy as today’s detergents can actually get clothes just as clean in cold temperatures as hot. This modern day and age has actually created an “old wife’s tale” out of the archaic notion that you must use hot water to get clothes clean.
Be sure to also only run your washing machine with a full load which can save more than 3,400 gallons of water each year!
7. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Greenhouse gas emissions occur anytime non-renewable energy is used to heat or cool your home. Programmable thermostats can reduce those emissions by as much as 15-20% by only working when you set them to instead of running 24/7.
They’re also more accurate and responsive than mechanical thermostats where temperatures can vary by 5 degrees higher or lower than the actual thermostat setting.
An added bonus, they don’t contain mercury.
8. Eat Less Meat
Photo Credit: Annie Spratt, Unsplash
This may seem like a strange thing to add to this list but did you know that it takes 18 times the emissions to provide 1 pound of beef compared to 1 pound of pasta? The average family can cut three tons of emissions every year just by cutting their intake of meat in half.
Global animal agriculture is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than all the world’s transportation systems combined. Red meat and large predatory fish are the biggest culprits. In fact, eating lower on the food chain overall significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions so even if you’re not ready to become a vegetarian, you can still make changes that have an impact.
9. Reduce “Idle Load” On Power Grids
Photo Credit: Andrey Metelev, Unsplash
Reduce “idle load” on power grids by unplugging devices as soon as they’re charged so they don’t continue to consume electricity by being plugged in. You can also use power strips to curb phantom loads. Turn off things like printers, video games, DVD players, etc. when not in use. You’d be surprised how much energy it takes even when they are not actively being operated. Stand by mode and sleep mode on gadgets and computers also continue to draw power.
A 2015 study conducted by The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) showed that always-on but inactive devices may cost Americans $19 billion and 50 power plants’ worth of electricity each year.
VOTE AND VOICE YOUR OPINION
Despite record breaking turnout in the U.S. 2020 Presidential Election, over 80 million Americans still did not vote.
One of the most important things you can do to create change is to vote and make your opinion heard. Vote for public officials who care about this planet and share your commitment to protect it. Research candidates and legislation you’re voting on. Educate yourself and get involved. Public officials and business leaders need to hear from concerned citizens if we want them to take those concerns into consideration when making policy decisions.
Read More…
10 Plastic Free Household Products You Never Thought to Use from toothpaste pods to laundry soap strips.
The Looming Threat of Climate Change - Will the Giants Survive? - How climate change is threatening the world’s largest living species, the giant sequoias.
