Reduce Your Environmental Footprints

Global warming is one of the serious environmental problems we have right now. The little acts we do can either help or make the problem more serious than it already is.

Awareness is very important in caring for our environment. We have to be aware of how serious the problem is and know how our actions affect the environment. When we know the environmental condition that our earth is in today, it will be easier for us to act appropriately


There are many ways that we can do to reduce our environmental footprints and help in the rehabilitation of the earth. Here are some tips you can easily do everyday to care for our environment.

Reduce

Conserving our natural resources can be done everyday. The earth is abundant with natural things. People think that these resources cannot be depleted. They're wrong.



 We have abused Earth's goodness and richness for so long now that our natural resources are now almost gone. If we don't start conserving these resources soon, we'll be facing greater problems in the future.

•    Electricity. You can conserve electricity by turning off appliances and lights that are not in use. Avoid putting your television, computer and other things on standby mode.

Putting them on standby mode still consumes electricity. Make it a habit not to depend on technological advancements so much. We are born with 2 hands. Let's use our hands as much as we can. Laundry, dish washing and cutting grass can easily be done with manual equipment.

•    Water. You can save water by regularly checking water pipes at home. Make sure that there are no leaks on your pipes. If you have any, repair or replace the pipes as soon as you can.

 Don't take long showers and turn off the shower when soaping. Using a glass when brushing your teeth and turning the faucet off when not in use will also help you conserve water.

•    Gas. One way of saving money is by saving gas. Don't use your car if you're not going too far. If you have friends in the office that has the same route as you do, you can start carpooling with them. This way, you are also helping your friends save on gas and money.

Reuse

Before throwing away things, think of the other things you can do with your things. Make sure that something really has no use for you anymore before you decide to throw them away. Packages, plastic containers, bottles and boxes can be used to store things that you don't use all the time.

Clean the bottles and plastic containers. You can use these things as storage for your food. Boxes can be used to store old clothes and books. You can also use them when moving to a new place.

Recycle
The easiest thing to recycle is paper. Before discarding a paper, make sure that you've used both sides of it. Collect used paper and learn how to make artistic recycled papers. You can easily sell these beautiful recycled papers as gifts.

Reducing your environmental footprints will help alleviate the problem global warming. Remember that change starts from small acts. The small acts you do today will have big effects tomorrow.

Global Efforts To Stop The Effects Of Global Warming

The last 3 decades have been the warmest period in history.

This is mainly because of human activities that prompted the steep spike of carbon emission in the air.

The result is, the air gets warmer, the weather patterns change drastically, and the natural cycle of the environment is disrupted. Rolled into one, this is called, global warming.


Global warming has sparked debates for the last 20 years, but not recently, when we can all experience first-hand the effects of this phenomenon, are we beginning to take actions.

Earth Hour

In 2007, an event called Earth Hour was inaugurated in Sydney, Australia. Sponsored by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), Earth hour is held every last Saturday of March asking every household and establishments to turn off non-essential lights and other appliances for 60 minutes.

 This is intended to raise the consciousness of the people to the effects of climate change and the realities of global warming. Several nations have followed Sydney's lead, making Earth Hour an annual event.

Automotive Industry

The first full production hybrid car, the Honda Insight, was first unveiled in December 1999, which is then followed by the production of Toyota Prius in 2000.

Since then, the automotive industry continues to develop more fuel efficient vehicles.

 This, however, is not entirely because of the direct response to global warming, but as an effort to keep the industry afloat and to answer consumers' demands for high-mileage cars. As frontrunners, Japanese manufacturers, Honda and Toyota, have released several hybrid cars to their line-up.

American brands later followed. In 2008, there were 11 new hybrid cars. In 2009, there were 10 new additions. However, the price of hybrid cars are still higher and the production figures are not enough to replace even at least 10% of the total number of vehicles in the world today.

The Scientific Community

Several scientific studies have been made to fully understand the effects of global warming to the earth people. At the same time, scientists are developing new technologies to counter the effects of climate change.

Many scientists, engineers, and environmentalists tackle the issue in their own hands, making their home or even their communities, greener, more energy efficient, and less energy dependent.

The United Nations

There are several talks and more future talks to come to address the issue of climate change.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Indonesia was just one of the several events held to promote awareness and provide definitive actions against global warming.

The United States

President Obama actively participates in addressing the effects of climate change. Different states also create environmental policies and new environmental rules and regulations to reduce carbon emission.

The Federal Government provides incentives to greener households and companies.

Is it enough?

The United States is the number one contributor of greenhouse gases in the world, hence, it is only fair that the government should be the first to act on reducing carbon emissions.

And there have been many actions made for the last years.

But despite of these, 2 of 4 American believe that the government is not doing enough to address this issue (based on the survey conducted by the non partisan Civil Society Institute).

There is still a long way to go to achieve sustainable plans to seriously fight global warming, let us just all hope that when that time comes, it is not too late.