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Be SmartIf we are going to smart and combat greenhouse gases and global warming, we must consider renewable energy as a viable choice to traditional fossil fuel sources. Climate change is a global challenge and countries need to work together to develop and install both renewable energy and low emission technologies. Choose Renewable Energy Suppliers. If you live
in an area where you can choose your electricity supplier, be smart and choose one that
generates at least half its power from wind, solar energy or other clean
sources. Even if you don't have the option to select a supplier, you may still
be able to support renewable energy through an option on your electricity bill.
Solar means free energy from the sun and
solar
garden lights save energy and look good in the garden. For outdoor areas, do
away with standard floodlights and use a solar
motion sensor light for added security, saving electricity. Smart Driving. Keep your car tuned up and keep your tires properly inflated, ensuring your wheels are properly aligned. These smart measures save fuel! Drive less, carpool and use public transport whenever possible. Recycle Everything Recycle
Everything in your house, newspapers, cans, glass bottles and jars, aluminium
foil, motor oil, scrap metal, to name a few. Re-use brown paper bags to line
your trash can instead of plastic bags. Re-use bread bags and the bags you bring
home from shopping. be smart and store food in re-usable containers, instead of plastic wrap
or aluminium foil. Stop junk
mail and write to the business sending junk mail asking to be removed from their
mailing lists. If you move and want certain mail, update your mailing lists.
This minimises duplication of material being sent out. Did you
know that humanity tips 700 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each second!
Turn off Equipment on ‘Standby’ Stereos, TVs and equipment on standby consume a great deal of energy. Power is consumed not while the appliance is being fully utilised but while it awaits instruction; while it is "standing by". Energy used by standby power can contribute approx 10% of a household’s energy bill. Each of your appliances on standby mode can consume up to 14 watts. This may not sound like much but just think of the number of appliances that you have at home which continuously use standby power. Turn them off! Water-saving Shower Head A water-saving shower rose will save approximately 50% of water compared to an older style shower rose, which may use up to 20 litres (5.2 gallons) of water per minute. This may not sound much, but for a family this could result in saving about 40,000 litres (10,500 gallons) of water every year! Modern, high efficiency shower roses provide a comfortable stream of water with good wetting and rinsing characteristics, using about 9 litres (2.3 gallons) of water per minute. Besides saving water, if your water is heated by coal or nuclear generated electricity you will save tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering our atmosphere each year. Don’t leave water running, and don’t let taps drip. Don't procrastinate! Order your Climate Saver Pack now... contains one AAA rated shower head and six energy efficient compact fluorescent light globes! (Australia only). If you live in the United States check out the
Global Warming Action Kit
, a great bundle of climate savings items at low cost!
By fixing any broken seals to fridges or freezers the appliance does not have to work so hard to keep its contents cool and will reduce energy usage. It should also help in keeping the food preserved for longer. The appliance is also likely to last longer because it does not have to work so hard. Become an eco-geek! You don't have to give up your gadgets to slow climate change. You can use solar power to charge your cell phone, iPod, radio, just about everything, under the sun. Check out some eco-gadgets here.
Do you like breathing clean air? Plant a Tree! Another way
to stop global warming is to plant more trees. Forests and trees breathe in
carbon dioxide and by planting trees we create a sink, (C02 is sunk in the
trees). The carbon dioxide is then tied up and kept out of the atmosphere. The
massive deforestation and excessive logging in the past century has wiped out
much of our natural forests and rainforests and has removed these precious
carbon sinks, stopping the natural uptake of this carbon dioxide. By planting
more trees we can create forests that breathe in the carbon dioxide and in turn
breathe out our life giving oxygen. A smart thin to do would be to volunteer with tree planting groups and get
involved for a few hours each year to reinvigorate yourself and our atmosphere.
If you are unable to get out and plant, or spare the time, then purchase trees
to be planted on your behalf. There
are plenty of organizations that you can pay to plant a tree on your behalf.
Trees also make wonderful birthday gifts, organise your gifts through Sustainable
Harvest, Rainforest Rescue and Trees
for Life. go from Be Smart to What You Can Do
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