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Combating Global Warming
Even though the effects of
global warming are on the increase you will find ways to stop global warming in
your corner of the world. So:
Think global and act local!!
Here are 8 things anyone can
do to prevent global warming:
(These
8 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.)
1.
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.We
have already done this: In 2007 our school planted about 700
trees on the hills of Comanesti. For this reason PRAIS
Foundation awarded our institution HONOUR AWARD. We gained the
22nd place at national level. (source: Milions of people,
Milions of trees;
http://www.milioanedecopaci.ro/eng/clasament_old.php)
 
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2. 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.
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3.
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.
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4.
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.
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5. 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
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6.
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.
Comanesti Local Council
has already established some project for conserving the
environment. The biggest one is Eco-Mountain
Valley - a program for integrated waste
management through the transfer deposit.
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7. 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.
(Source: Habitat for
Humanity Comanesti - courtesy Mr. Gabriel Pascal - manager)
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8. 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.
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Dimitrie
Ghica School
