Fighting climate change sometimes seems to take a heavy toll on people. It often means driving less, turning down the air conditioner, or lowering the inside temperature during winter.
However, fighting climate change doesn’t require drastically changing one’s lifestyle, some experts argue.
Here are some advice you can take to cut down greenhouse gas emissions and general pollution following your day-to-day activity:
1.Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL) or LED bulbs
This is a good first step. Fluorescent bulbs give off the same amount of light but can use 25 percent of the power. LEDs can save even more than CFLs, and recent technologies have widened the gap between them by a lot. LED bulbs are also longer-lasting than CFLs or incandescent bulbs, and in many cases the higher price tag is justified.
2. Use energy efficient appliances
The Energy Star label can be found on water heaters, refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, driers and other devices. An Energy Star washing machine, for example, might use 25 percent of the water of a traditional machine, saving water heating costs.
3. Wrapping and insulating ceiling air ducts
This can save a lot of energy by keeping cool and hot air from escaping. Ceiling fans, on the other hand, are a cheap alternative to energy-consuming air conditioners. Experts say adding to a home’s insulation can help, just like washing clothes with cold water.
4. Buy a hybrid or electric car
Another way to reduce gasoline consumption is to buy a hybrid car or one that gets more miles to the gallon. Experts also suggest combining air trips for work and pleasure, or vacationing closer to home. In 2015, electric and hybrid cars are powerful enough to compete with gasoline ones. You can buy second-hand hybrid cars or a Nissan Leaf just a few years old at a fraction of the price.
Some experts say more drastic measures are required, such as investing in solar panels to generate electricity or heat water.
“The time bomb is ticking,” said Dan Kammen, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley and co-director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment. “All of the science points to significant change if we stay on the path we are on now.”
However, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and pollution depends on each of us. If each of us acts like he’s alone in the ecosystem, or thinks he’s an exception for various reasons, then we’ll never record any progress. Policy and taxes are another way to force people to reduce energy use, but taxes too have to be invested wisely in truly green technologies. Going green is a narrow path, but just like all narrow paths, it leads to great places.
