Simple Ways You Can Help Stop Global Warming

What Exactly Is Global Warming?nnIn simple terms, global warming refers to an overabundance of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This carbon dioxide traps heat and acts like a blanket warming the earth. Humans are contributing to the excess amounts of carbon dioxide present in our atmosphere in many ways.nn - The emissions from the cars we drivenn - The polluting factories used to make everyday itemsnn - The power plants that produce non-renewable electricity for our every day livesnnAll of these things that we rely on and typically take for granted are making the earth a less friendly environment for us... for our children.nnGlobal Warming is not a question of if, but when? Our actions today have an enormous effect on the answer to that question. Every decision, every purchase, every action you do will either help or hurt the future of life on our planet.nDo you want to HELP or HURT?nnI can only assume that if you are reading this you want to HELP stop global warming. And I am going to give you some simple ways to help stop global warming. A few small changes today can be the difference between a healthy or unhealthy planet for our children and grandchildren.nnIf you are just starting to learn ways you can stop global warming, you can start small, and start immediately. After you have the basics down, you can take it a step further and do even more.nnThese simple actions are easy ways to stop global warming. You can start today with no investment of additional time or money. Just a few minor changes to make in your everyday life.nn - Turn off Lights, Appliances and Other Items Operated by Electricity When They Aren't in Use - It seems like common sense, but even I have caught myself leaving a room without turning off the light. Pay closer attention to your family's habits. Then become more insistent that items are OFF when not in use. nnSavings: 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year. nn - Unplug Appliances and Electric Items When Not in Use - Most people are likely unaware that even when an item is switched off, some current continues to be pulled by the cords. This is especially true of items that have the large AC adapter units incorporated on their cords. This wastes electricity creating more pollution and costing you more money.n nSavings: 1000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $256 per year. nn - Run Your Dishwasher Only When it is Full - Again, it seems like common sense, but it is also an important step to conserving both water and electricity. Not only does the dishwasher itself run on electricity, but remember that the water has to be heated and causes additional energy consumption. Always run it on the lowest setting possible. There's no need to run a cycle for pots and pans in you have a load of only dishes. And if you have time, and your dishwasher is equipped, allow the load to air dry.n nSavings: 100 pounds of carbon dioxide and $40 per year. nn - Run Your Washer and Dryer For Full Loads of Laundry Only - Basically the same reasoning as the dishwasher. Use cold water whenever possible and consider allowing your clothes to air dry (it will keep them from shrinking too).n nSavings: 700 pounds of carbon dioxide and $75 per year.nn - Take Shorter Showers - Showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs. Shorten your daily shower (or even skip a day if you can). nnSavings: 350 pounds of carbon dioxide and $99 per year.nn - Check the Thermostat on Your Water Heater - Keep it at 120° Fahrenheit or below. Not only is this a good idea for environmental reasons, it also helps protect our kids (and even some of us adults) from being scalded by water that is too hot. nnSavings: 550 pounds of carbon dioxide and $30 per year.nn - Check Your Home Thermostat - Instead of turning up the heat in the winter, wear sweaters and heavier clothing inside so that you can turn it down 2 degrees. Do this along with turning it up 2 degrees in the summer. nnSavings: 2000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $98 per year.nn - Keep Your Tires Inflated - Check your car tires each month to ensure they are properly inflated. Under inflated tires wastes gasoline and wears your tires out faster. nnSavings: 250 pounds of carbon dioxide and $850 per year.nn - Buy Local Produce - Shop local farmer's markets or check your grocer's shelves for products grown in your area. This reduces transportation requirements to bring these items to your area from other areas of the country or even the world. In addition, buy only seasonal produce to reduce demand for un-seasonable fruit and veggies that are imported from other areas. nnSavings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.nn - Carpool - To work, to school to the shopping mall. Share a ride with a friend or co-worker and keep unnecessary cars off the road (maybe traffic will improve as well). nnSavings: 750 pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.nn - Be Idle Free - Contrary to popular believe, allowing your car to idle instead of turning off the engine for short stops is NOT better for your vehicle. If your car idles for more than 10 seconds, it is equivalent to the fuel required to restart it. So if you are planning to stop longer than 10 seconds, turn off your engine. So when you are at the drive through window or picking your child up from school, turn off the engine. nnSavings: hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide and hundreds of dollars per year.nnEach of these is an action item you can take TODAY! You don't have to invest a dime to make these changes to help stop global warming. And they even save you money. What's not to like about that?