What are some simple steps or creative ideas that people can take at home and work to combat global warming?

Question

Global warming is not only one of the most threatening environmental problems, but one of the greatest challenges facing all of humanity. Danger signs are surfacing worldwide as temperatures increase (the last ten years have been the hottest years ever recorded causing glaciers and the polar ice caps to melt, coastal areas to flood and storms to become more severe). If left unchecked, global warming will continue to have a profound impact on our planet that will eventually cause catastrophic results. Fortunately, there are things each of us can do. Buildings -- including our homes -- are major contributors to greenhouse gases they’re responsible for up to 40% of all energy and resource use and approximately 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming.

Additional Details

Connect with the Yahoo! Community on global warming issues through these groups:
Climate Change: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClimateCon…
Solar energy: http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=sol…
Home energy solutions http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/homee…
Freecycle http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=fre…

Watch a video I made about global warming:
http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=5c…

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

There are many little things we can do that will collectively make a substantial impact to combating global warming. At the home, if we keep appliances or electronics that is not used unplugged, we will be saving electricity. Switching out lightbulbs for the energy efficient ones definitely help. Replacing old appliances for energystar ones will make a great impact. More drastic changes like switching from electric to propane wherever possible, or installing solar panels on the roof, would help even more. At work, we have motion detection lights after hours so that we don't waste energy. As well, the HVAC system is powered down in non-critical areas during the weekends and holidays to conserve.

On the macro-scale as a society, we need to invest more in alternative energy sources such as:
- wind and solar energy generation
- improved battery technologies, which will lead to new applications for batteries
(Case in point: The Saturn EV-1 was originally supposed to use new battery technology that would have given it a range of 300-400 mi/charge, but GM did not invest in battery technology between the concept car (Impact) and the production of EV-1. Can you imagine how many of us would be driving EV-1 or other electric vehicles now had they made the early investment?)
- alternative fuel for aircrafts, which is a great source of greenhouse gas emissions as well

Source(s):

I studied aerospace engineering because I wanted to develop vehicles that would be more efficient and more eco-friendly.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

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Answer 2

In the last year Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" has brought the science of climate change to millions of Americans in a dramatic and persuasive way. It's terrific what he's done. Here's the bottom line: within the next decade, if we don't deal with global warming, our children and grandchildren will have to deal with global catastrophe. We need big changes to fix a big problem. We can't "middle" our way there.

As individuals, the change can be as simple as replacing traditional light bulbs with efficient fluorescents. In our communities we should require that new buildings include lights that turn off when people leave the room. We should follow the lead of Tokyo and their energy efficient escalators that shut off when they aren't being used. There are literally thousands of things to be done, too few of which we are being asked to do. Each of us can do something.

We must insist on leaders who secure our energy independence, not ones who barter it away. We wouldn't elect a candidate who said terrorism wasn't a threat. We wouldn't tolerate a candidate for national office who didn't say he was committed to capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden. But for too long we've tolerated those who treat the threat of energy insecurity and the truth of global climate change as an inconvenient myth. We had a whole host of people in Washington who don't know how to tackle climate change, and a whole cast of political consultants who will counsel their candidates not even to try.

Just think what we could do with decent leadership. Other countries already know something we don't. Actually they've been doing something we won't -- something influential interests don't want us to do. Thirty years ago when Brazil faced an energy crisis they got serious about alternative fuels. Relying on new stocks of homegrown fuels in addition to its own oil production, this year Brazil will achieve energy independence. If Brazil can do it, why can't we? If a developing country can go from 90 percent dependence on foreign oil to zero percent dependence in three decades, then we -- the most powerful, creative, industrial country on Earth -- we can change the destructive course we're on. Put Washington to the test. Tell powerful interests that the old era has ended and so have their easy arrangements. Then instead of empty slogans and long laundry lists of bite-sized ideas that tinker at the edges of outdated policy, we can embark on revolutions that will put our energy future in our own hands and put global climate change at the top of the national agenda where it belongs. We need a plan that actually does what the science tells us we have to do to.

Answer 3

I switched out my light bulbs...the environmentally-friendly ones cost more upfront, but they last for so much longer that it balances out. And its easier since I hardly ever have to change them.

Its something small, but every little bit helps.

Answer 4

Here are a few:
4x4s/SUVs and even mini-vans - who really needs them? If you insist on buying one then, NEVER drive it to the corner store.Get out and walk. It is amazing what a little walking can do.

There is a site called freecycle that allows people to exchange stuff for free. I think that helps - less production energy involved in producing something new. Try to pass it on - not everything needs to be new.

However, I think our consumption of goods from developing coutnries probably doesn't help either. As I think that the environmental laws there are less strict. This means we get stuff cheap but at a longer term cost. It pays to research what you are buying and the manufacturing involved.

Answer 5

The best thing is to plant a TREE. Everyone should plant trees everyday! This will help balance the excessive Carbon emissions which are one of the causes of global warming and planting trees is a great start to correcting the problem.

Answer 6

How does this sound, we massively surcharge any person that has to unnecessarily live in a home larger than a city block and drives a vehicle in excess of 250 HP (like a Hummer or an Escalade). We take that money and put it into environmental programs. This may seem unfair to famous movie stars, but I'm sure it makes sense to the rest of us.


IN RESPONSE TO E-MAIL FROM TAMARA B-
To Tamara B,

Normally I don't respond to these, but in your case I
can't resist. Let's break down your response.

"I am no star so I don't have a huge house but I do
drive a paid for SUV"

Well first off I don't understand why telling me you
car is "FULLY PAID FOR" has anything to do with this
question, unless it is because you like to hear
yourself gloat. Furthermore, if you feel that my
response does NOT categorize you, why respond to it at
all? Also you do not explain what kind of SUV you
drive, is it a modest and efficient vehicle that is
practical for your kind of lifestyle, or is it a
gas-guzzling monster with no other purpose than to
impress? I to drive an SUV, it's a little guy but it
does the job just fine and gets me where I need to go,
it serves it purpose with efficiency as all vehicle
should.

"taking away our rights and freedoms to live where we
want and drive what we want."

At what point in my response did I say that people
should be prohibited from living their own lifestyle?
I merely pointed out that people should take
responsibilty for their chosen lifestyle(and
consequences thereof).

"Sorry but I don't understand this kind of thinking."

It appears to me that the reason you don't understand
"my way of thinking" is because you don't understand
the initial question, or my response to it. The
question was asking what ideas could be used to curb
global warming. I responded with the notion that
certain socialites who obviously have more disposable
income to WASTE on extremely large homes and very
large vehicles (like HUMMERS and ESCALADES)should be
more socially conscious of the environmental
implications. If they do insist on living this
extravagantly without regards to the environment, then
they should also give provide additional resources to
combat the environmental effects their lifestyle has
on the REST OF US. (US being defined as those who
choose to live more evironmentally responsible)

Your quote about violation of civil "freedoms". With
freedom comes fairness. Is it fair that I, a person
who lives modestly in a reasonable sized home and
drives a modest vehicle, have to pay the SAME in taxes
and govnerment initiatives to combat global warming?
Is this YOUR idea of freedom and civil liberty?


"If you and others like you can have it your way why
can't I and the others like me have it our way."

Who, or what had given any person the RIGHT or FREEDOM
to abuse dwindling natural resources and our
environment? Is it you and "people like you"?

Now I am confused, you initally started out distancing
yourself from said abusers and now your back on the
civil liberty bandwagon. Again, what "WAY" are we
referring to? Why are you assuming that "people like
me" are having it "our way", did the environmental
issues suddenly get solved last night as I slept? In
your statement I am in the understanding that you wish
for EVERYONE to have it their way, now how the hell is
that possible? You either are socially responsible,
or you are not. It's that simple. I believe that
issues like this very one can be reflected from your
response and others similar to it, not the exact
context in it, but just in the fact that it you have
to respond to these issues in such a manner you are
obviously oblivious to the nature of the enviromental
problems we are having.

Source(s):

Commom sense

Answer 7

Hi Leo:
I've changed my lightbulbs to those energy-efficient type. I recycle all my plastic, juice and lass containers, and have a compost. I drive a small 4 cyclinder car, and we car pool whenever possible for work. However, I feel that it is just a very minute contribution to combating GW. It's the major corporations, factories and the highways that really need a kick in the pants to wake up! It doesn't take a genious to figure out that our earth in is danger, I applaud the work you are putting into this cause. There are way too many airplanes/jets polluting up our skies.

Answer 8

I work for a heating company, there are a lot of people where I live who still use wood heat in the winter. We've been putting in high-efficiency wood furnaces at a rate that's doubled every year. For the most part it works so that there is re-burn and what comes out of the chimney is pretty much water vapour. Burn times are longer so the wood box doesn't have to be filled as often and when you use dry wood, there is less creosote build up. I'm amazed at the ways heating can be made so efficient, even with this age old method of heating. So that gives us hope. Also there are many projects we've done this year that use geothermal heating, and even though this is a highly efficient use of resources, it is initially very pricey. It would be nice if this was made more affordable to people. Also I think that the invention of non-fossil-fuel-driven vehicles is a real boon to mankind. I hope Americans do their part, since it looks as if they are slow to respond to the Kyoto accord. I am Canadian

Answer 9

We all need to start at home, which I believe we have, I recycle and reuse anything I can. I have changed light bulbs and use energy efficient appliances. Now it is time for the big guys to turn off the lights and dispose their toxic waste properly. If you think 2006 was a horrible year for natural disasters wait and see what 2007 will bring.

Answer 10

Hi Leo, my suggestion for reducing your production of CO2 is to stop taking private jets, which produce copious amounts of greenhouse gases per the passenger-mile travelled.

For everyone else, the answer will be:
1) Take public transit
2) More nuclear power.

Nuclear (after hydroelectric) is really the only hope to satisfy energy needs, as it is both economical and environmentally benign.

Answer 11

there is enough glass already made that if everyone actually recycled all their jars and bottles instead of throwing them out, there would be no need to make anymore glass.

Answer 12

Nothing can be done, global warming is the result of

1. Increasing solar activity, thus even Mars and Venus show signs of global warming.

2. The earth has always gone thru hot and cold spells IE: the little ice age.

Answer 13

We can quit being professional consumers! A lot of what we own is junk, made in factories that pollute. Let's shop green - buy things with less packaging, and made from biodegradeable materials. And we need to end our love affair with SUV's.

Answer 14

I think one of the most effective methods would be for news programs to quit asking entertainers for their political opinions. Entertainers give off a lot of hot air, even more so when they engage in political discussion. As they are generally clueless, it would be best if they just stuck to entertaining.

Answer 15

There are several things that a person can do to combat global warming. First of all, cut down on driving cars. That is a big problem because it is the main source of carbon in the atmosphere. Carbon is what causes Global warming. Also cut down on using aerosal hairspray or other products using aerosol cans. There are so many things that can be done, but one final thing could be to use less paper products. If there were more trees around, they could use up that carbon, therefore lessening the global warming effect.

Source(s):

Environmental Science Class...:)

Answer 16

The major factor in emissions are the 1.5 billion cattle in the world. Raising these produces more than 700 times more the amount of greenhouse pollutants than humans produce.

Have you had beef lately, Leo?

Answer 17

Car pool
shut off or lower ac/heater when not at home
efficient light bulbs
if you work at a smaller co. maybe you could share some of these tips with the owner so he/she could practice this in the work place.

Answer 18

Besides the obivious recycling and using eviromental freindly products ,we can at home pressure our congressmen and women and senetors our representitives to go after the big corporations that spew this junk at rates that even our entire neighborhoods could not produce. The very represents that are padding there pockets with buy offs from these all american global warming machines.

Answer 19

Use timers in less frequented rooms, and motion detectors on outside lights. Add more insullation, even if you think you have enough. Look into using your house's passive heating and cooling abilities in winter and summer. The ground is a comfortable 65 degrees year round. Bury some pipes and add a small fan to get some free cool air or warm air, depending on the season.
...jj

Answer 20

Avoiding the argument of whether global warming is due to human intervention or natural events, there are things that we can do to limit our carbon output. The list is quite extensive, so rather than blathering on about it, I'd rather refer you to a link. Enjoy.

Source(s):

http://www.undoit.org

Answer 21

lobby the government.

make others care.

Answer 22

How about we all take lessons on the fact that global warming is still a theory and has not been proven, that in fact, the current scientific consensus seems to be that the earth goes through natural periods of warming and cooling, and that we are in the warming phase right now. There is evidence to back this up if you look in the right place.

Answer 23

I carpool-reduce -re-use and recycle as much as possible and try to use less and less power throughout the year-every little bit helps but as soon as I can afford it, I am going to place solar panels on my roof-that just makes too much sense not too.. Thanks for trying to improve upon this world in which have already taken for granted--Like your movies too..

Answer 24

That would be if global warming actually existed. Many, many noteworthy scientists do not believe that there is such a thing as global warming. The rises in temperature are just a normal cycle of the Earth much like the "mini" Ice Age that was experienced during the Middle Ages. (If you weren't so popular, you might have caught that on the History Channel. You should Tivo it; I'm sure you have Tivo.)

Have you actually investigated global warming existence or do you just believe what you want to believe because this is a "cause celeb?" Are you lecturing because, as a celebrity, you know so much better than the rest of us, or do you do more than just have a hybrid car as one among many in your garage? Do you take corporate jets? Has your home(s) gone green? Do you practice what you preach or are you another Al Gore, who does what's convenient and expects others to do more?

Answer 25

OK I really hate to point out the painfully obvious buuut.. Here are a few simple ideas... Stop using the useless gadgets do you really need the electric can opener? Simplify your life, stream line your use of electric things to what you really need and don't look at them as necessary because they are not, they are lazy luxury. Which is fine too sometimes but not all the time.. The other thing I highly suggest is to look into solar power yes even in the city solar power can produce enough energy to live totally comfortably while only being supplemented by other power as a backup.. Roughly $10,000 can get you a basic set up and if that number scares you then add up all your power bills and think about it then. The other option is to arrange a bulk buy of solar gear because then you will get discounts as with anything quantity has an impact upon the costs favourably. Everyone really needs to look at this issue seriously because the alternatives are truly mortifying. So called "clean" nuclear power does not produce greenhouse gases directly but it does however produce as a byproduct some of the most deadly and as far as my little human life span goes forever repercussions.. I know this because the area I recently moved to is now a hot bed for uranium mining and no matter which way you look at it it's just not safe. Perhaps a better word is sustainable and that is what we all want right.. Sustainable good living..

Answer 26

The best thing you can do is educate all the doubters with their head in the sand on this one. The evidence in so overwhelming even a blind idiot could tell we are experiencing the effects of global warming.
It’s just like people who wouldn’t accept that the earth war round, not flat.

Answer 27

I would say to recycle and to not waste natural resources.Also,If we could invent some car engines that ran off of hydrogen,then that would cut CO2 emissions.Global warming is becoming a crisis and we all need to think of something to avert it.Hope this helps,Mr Dicaprio.

Answer 28

I agree with tkzee...he made some very strong points. No..I didn't change out my light bulbs..and I didn't turn the heat down. I recycle pretty much everything that comes through my home. I live next to a foundry that provides jobs, food, clothing, ect...to a lot of the people in the town. We all know what a foundry can do to the enviroment in the long run but it's providing alot now. i guess..I am living (just like alot of people) for today..and am not going to sit around worrying about what may or may not happen. What kind of life would that be..

Answer 29

Put spent coffee grounds on your garden - I also hound StarBucks for mine.

You could compost them too. Everyone should compost stuff! You could set up a worm composting bin in or out your house - see www.wigglywigglers.co.uk.

Stop using peat based compost - I don't think its any secret why this is a good idea.

As for cleaning products, there are also all kinds of things you can use instead of shop bought, ready made ones that do all kinds of damage. E.g. use baking soda more - for general cleaning (espeically to get rid of smells) and its good to unblock drains too. Lemon and vinegar are very good, along with salt. Mix them around and you can get yourself some quite powerful cleaning stuff. Furnature polish is really nasty - most particularly to people actually - www.ecozone.co.uk

It's a good idea to turn off your monitor rather than using a screen saver - which don't save anything except the screen :o)

Don't leave stuff on stand by - switch if off at the wall. My Dad is nuts about this, he insist on having EVERYTHING off and gets really fidgety if you turn it on again after he's done is nightly rounds haha. He's more concerned about fire risks though, rather than global warming.

My sister gave me a sheep for my Birthday. This seems like a really good idea. What you're doing is basically paying a charity or whatever to save a rare species - not sure how important this is but its better than some junk that you're not going to use anyway. I've also seen ones where you can give owls and squirrels. www. wildlifetrusts.org.uk and www.barnowltrust.org.uk

Buy recycled toilet paper and don't use so much! Just be sure to wash your hands better (teehee) I use Novelle currently. I'm not aware of any other recycled ones. I often wonder though, where they paper they use comes from...

Oh, another one... I'm on a role (another teehee). stick aluminium foil behind your radiator - its supposed to reflect the head back into the room instead of it being absorbed into the wall and waisted.

Ok other things, obvious things, use role on not sprays, recycle as much as you can, including find new uses in your own home for tins, paper, whatever, and buy locally - oh and organically if you can afford it.

Answer 30

Keep your heat in the house/Apartment low and turn it low when you not home.Make sure Windows ,Doors,Roof is not leaking,
(well in a Rented Place, you usually have no option , you have to take what you can afford), but in a Apartment,cover Drafty and leaking windows with Plastic,to keep some of the Air out.
Exchange you old Appliances ,for newer, more envoirmental and Energy Suffienct ones, out. An old Refrigerator takes a lot of Energy ,if you have to use Air in the Summer, time it and us it only when you are home the same with Fans.
Recycles all Plastic, Glass, Paper Material. Wash your Laundry in Cold Water, do not shower to long,Hot water cost a lot of Energy to. Carpool, try to avoid to have more than 2 Family Vehicle ,which seems a Problem in the US. Use Cloth or Paperbacks instead of Plastic while shopping.
And now during the Holiday time, even if at looks nice from the outside, remove your Lights, that is a Waste of Energy,which is not necessary,turn Computers and TVs off,when you not around
Important - Teach your Children how to save and recycle from an early age on, because kids are our Future, to teach now the right thing they will know and understand to preserve our Planet

Answer 31

This may sound silly, but think about all of us who leave our cell phone chargers plugged in for convenience of use. When the cell phone is not being charged it DOES still emit energy. If everyone made even THAT little effort it would save a bundle of energy. A journey of 1000 miles..........