Fighting Global Warming
- a shared responsibility
The world has reacted strongly to the Copenhagen climate talks,
expressing
frustration and commenting that it failed. Essentially the talks were seen as
a failure because at the end of the 193-nation UN summit in Copenhagen,
Denmark, there was no binding deal for combating global warming, a move
led by the United States and China, the world's top two emitters of
greenhouse gases.
It was said that the negotiations were conducted in the wrong way and world
leaders were accused of only seeking a face-saving agreement. What should
have happened was that the United States should have joined the Kyoto
Protocol and empower it and provide the world with an answer in a transparent way. The Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC is an international treaty on climate change. The treaty says that all signatory nations must limit their emissions into the atmosphere. The main objective is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous climate changes. Malaysia is one of the country’s party to the UNFCCC.
The summit agreement made on Saturday, December 19 stopped far short of a full endorsement of the plan, which sets a target of limiting global warming to a maximum 2 degree Celsius rise over pre-industrial times. The plan does not specify greenhouse gas cuts needed to achieve the 2 degree Celsius goal that is seen as a threshold for dangerous changes such as more floods, droughts, mudslides, sandstorms, and rising seas.
While it is always easy to critique when negotiations fall through -these discussions and resolutions among nations are at a very high level.At the root of all communities are individuals. As a responsible world citizen, we need to start taking steps to reduce our own carbon footprint. Collectively we can make a difference. Educating our young and the future generation on how to reduce their carbon footprint is also important, so that they are able to preserve and protect mother earth for as long as possible. We as individuals can make that difference
Let’s jointly start today - here are 10 simple ways to help reduce our carbon footprint:-
1. Reduce, Reuse & Recycle
Choose reusable products instead of disposables. Try and buy products with minimal packaging or refill packs that can help to reduce waste. Develop a habit of recycling paper, plastic, newspaper, glass and aluminum cans. As parents maybe one way we can do our bit, is by using terry toweling nappies instead of disposable ones. This may be really difficult for some, but go ahead and give it a try at least once. Granted, that the disposable ones are really convenient, but maybe reserve them for outings and nights only, while at home during the day maybe use the reusable nappies. By recycling half of your household waste, we can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.
Nowadays many supermarkets encourage purchasing your own reusable bag, instead of disposable plastic bags. It saves energy and waste to use a reusable bag instead of accepting a disposable one in each shop. Waste not only discharges carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, it can also pollute the air, groundwater and soil.
2. Use Less Air Conditioning
I know it’s hard given our really hot weather, but as far as possible try to reduce the usage of air conditioning and keep temperatures moderate. Not too cold, that is, by setting your thermostat just 2 degrees higher could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
3. Change a Light Bulb
If possible, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFLs also last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, if used they consume two-thirds less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat.
A study in U.S. have suggested if every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.
4. Drive Less and Drive Smart
Drive less to reduce car emissions. Besides saving petrol, walking and biking are great forms of exercise. Try taking public transport (e.g. KTM Train, LRT, Commuter & Bus) and look out for carpooling opportunities to work or school.
Always ensure that your car is running efficiently. Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage by more than 3 percent. Drive at a constant speed, avoid hard breaking and acceleration. Every liter of petrol you save not only helps your monthly expenditures, it also keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. While keeping the atmosphere clean we’re also working on getting fit and healthy too!
5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products
Consider a new car that offers better gas mileage. Look out for home appliances that 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. For example, now in the market there are cars that are equipped to run on petrol and natural gas. Natural gas cost far less that petrol and emits very little emissions.
6. Use Less Hot Water
Start taking cold showers. It’s not that bad, plus it’s better for your skin’s elasticity as well. 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 that requires energy to produce it. Also use the energy-saving settings on your dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry. That change alone can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households.
7. Use the "Off" Switch
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off all electrical appliances when you're not using them. Even when appliances are on ‘Standby’ mode you’re using electricity
8. Plant a Tree
Start planting! Trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen during the photosynthesis process. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. So it bring nothing but good things!
9. Switch to green power
In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. In some of these, you can even get refunds by government if you choose to switch to a clean energy producer, and you can also earn money by selling the energy you produce and don't use for yourself. We might not be at the stage where we can produce our own energy, but certainly worth experimenting.
10. Encourage Others to Conserve
Share information about recycling and energy conservation with your children, friends, neighbors and colleagues, and take opportunities to encourage public officials to establish programs and policies that are good for the environment.
11.Teach Our Young
Last but not least, let us start to teach our young to inculcate good habits of greening the world. It is good that they start to play a proactive role. Only then, can they inherit the new and better world for the future and next generations to come.
*Reference - http://globalwarming-facts.info/50-tips.html,
http://environment.about.com/od/globalwarming/tp/globalwarmtips.htm
FTP/SS/HGL
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