Scientists believe that CO2 (carbon dioxide) is the main reason of all misfortunes on the earth: global warming, which increases the number of droughts, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, the melting of permafrost and glaciers. The main “producers” of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses are energy production which burns oil and oil products, coal and gas, cutting down tropical forests, industrial farming and people in general.
We expend energy (and therefore the Earth’s resources) and replenish the amount of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by simply working with computers, sitting behind the wheel of the car and just turning on a light.
Electricity
Problem: Rapid “reproduction” of personal computers, phones, iPads, game consoles and other gadgets is a rapidly growing segment of energy consumption in the world. If in 1980 there was an average of 3 electric appliances in the house, today there are 25-30. Home appliances are already consuming 50% of the world’s electricity and in 20 years, according to forecasts by the International Energy Agency, this figure will be 61% (Eia.gov, 2017). In an equivalent ratio, this will require building 560 coal-fired power plants or 230 nuclear power plants.
Solution: Saving electricity allows to:
reduce the consumption of natural resources,
reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere,
preserve the purity of water and conservation.
Each of us can save the electricity and contribute to saving the planet.
Computer and other equipment
Place your computer into standby mode each time you stop working (during lunch break and other pressing matters).
Turn off your office computer at night and before the weekend.
Unplug from outlet when you finish working with equipment. This will not only prolong the battery life, but will also save several thousand dollars per year.
Do not leave TVs, DVD players, HI-FI systems, computers and other equipment to work in “sleep” mode, as they still consume energy. Turn off equipment, if you are not using it. It is better to use sockets with a shut off button.
If possible, charge the batteries only when they are completely drained.
Remove the charger from the outlet as it also continues to consume energy even if the phone is disconnected from the device. You can verify this by touching it (the charger heats up while connected to the socket).
Do not use the electronic toothbrushes, razors, etc.
TV
Do not watch TV, read books.
Light
Problem: Aimlessly burning light bulb means the construction of new hydro and nuclear power plants that destroy the ecosystem of the area. In addition, these plants not only destroy the life around, but also take lives. The largest accident in the history of hydroelectric power station has occurred in China. As a result of dam destruction on Banqiao power station, flooding killed 14600 people, 145 000 died from hunger and epidemics and about 11000000 left homeless (Watkins, 2013).
Solution: the transition to alternative, renewable sources of energy: wind, water, sun and biomass of the Earth. What can we do? The easiest way is to save light and heat.
Replacing one incandescent lamp with one energy saving can:
reduce the energy consumption needs of the lighting from 3 to 5 times,
save about 100 kg of charcoal/year,
reduce the amount of harmful emissions to 270 kg/ year,
Turn off the lights when leave the room and leave the office.
Water
Install apartment water meters.
Take a shower and not a bath. Turn off the water while soaping.
Turn off the water while soaping hands, wiping the plate, or brushing your teeth.
If to wash a dish immediately after a meal, it will take less water than to scrape and break down dried-on food residues.
Do not buy bottled water in a country where it is safe to drink water from the tap. Installing the filter on the faucet or buying a separate filter jug does not create problems of disposal and recycling of plastic.
CO2
Problem: CO2 is the main cause of global warming, resulting in climate catastrophe. What is the impact of CO2 emissions? For example, using SUV to move across the city produces 1.3 tons of CO2 in less than 2,000 miles. This is as much CO2 as a family in Bangladesh produces for an entire year. This is as much as CO2 per passenger during a single flight at a distance of 2500 miles. The same amount of CO2 we produce in everyday life for a year. By consuming meat every day, we promote the livestock industry. 1 pound of meat is 3-4 pounds of greenhouse gases measured in CO2 equivalent, 5 gallons of water and a few trees.
Solution: the demand on meat, fur, animal skin, ergonomic cars and eco-friendly lifestyle depends on each of us.
Eat less meat,
walk, use fuel efficient cars and bikes.
When your child is at home, use cloth diapers. It is not only helpful for the development of healthy reflexes in the child, but also saves the planet from 5 to 8 thousand diapers = 6000 pounds of recyclable garbage.
Travel by trains. Invite friends to go on one car instead of two.
Consume responsibly and do not buy more than you need. Teach your children that they do not have to have many of the same or similar toys. Do not support manufacturers that violate environmental laws. Support manufacturers that do not use genetic modification in agriculture and manufacturing.
We do not need environmental policies or laws to save the planet from global warming. The changes begin with us. Following simple rules can save our planet for further generations.
- Eia.gov. (2017). International Energy Outlook 2016-Electricity – Energy Information Administration. [online] Available at: https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/ieo/electricity.cfm [Accessed 24 Mar. 2017].
- Watkins, T. (2013). The Catastrophic Dam Failures in China in August 1975. [online] Sjsu.edu. Available at: http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/aug1975.htm [Accessed 24 Mar. 2017].
