Ten Ways to Help Reduce Climate Change
January 3, 2021
Global Warming is the earth’s surface, ocean, and atmosphere slowly getting warmer and warmer. While some causes of this may be natural, many of the causes are because of humans continuing to damage the earth without even realizing. There are several things humans can do to help stop global warming. Every person counts; let’s make a change!
1) Don’t waste water.
While taking a long, hot shower may feel amazing after a hard day at work, it can actually have really bad effects on the earth. It takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat all that water. All of that energy causes carbon pollution to the earth. So, when you can, take shorter showers, turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving, water your lawn ONLY when it needs it, and check your faucets for leaks. These are some of the easiest ways to save the earth and maybe some money too!
2) Buy better light bulbs.
LED light bulbs are way better for the environment than the originals. LED light bulbs can use up to 75 percentage less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs. This is because they were designed as a more energy efficient light source. They use a semiconductor to convert electricity into light. They also cost less in the long run because they last a lot longer than the incandescent bulbs.
3) Unplug.
Items plugged in when they are not in use, such as phone chargers, power tools, and televisions, use energy when they are not charging. Therefore, do not leave the chargers in the walls when nothing is being charged and unplug items that are not used often. Along with helping climate change, another benefit is protection from power surges.
4) Turn off your engine.
Whether you are stopped for a curbside pick up or sitting in the car waiting for someone, turn your car off. Idling uses fuel which contributes to air pollution. If you know you are going to be stopped somewhere for longer than two minutes (unless you are in traffic) go ahead and turn it off.
5) Plant a tree.
Trees do not only serve as shade and pretty landscape, they also help climate change. They do this by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon, and releasing oxygen into the air. A world with more trees is a cleaner world.
6) Ride a bike or walk.
Instead of driving your car everywhere, and polluting the air with carbon dioxide from the gas, walk every once in a while. If you live somewhere that you can safely walk or ride your bike to get lunch, see your friends, or go to school, why not do that instead of driving? Not only is it good for the environment, but it is also good for you!
7) Carpool.
Another way to help not pollute the environment with carbon dioxide from gas is to ride with someone. If you and your friends are all going somewhere, meetup at someones house and ride there together. This way there is only one car using gas instead of all of the friends’ cars.
8) Turn off the lights.
Light uses energy and we tend to turn on the lights in the house even when it is not always necessary. During the day if you are working or watching television try to open a blind and use the natural light, it will use less energy (plus natural light is better for selfies!!).
9) Hang-dry Your Clothes.
While using the dryer may be faster or more convenient, hang-drying your clothes is a lot more energy efficient and, like most of the other things listed, will save money. Since most people are not in a rush to have “ready to wear out” clothes due to the quarantine, maybe try to skip out on the dryer and hang-dry every once and awhile.
10) Talk about it!
Even though the younger generation is learning all about climate change, the older generation did not know as much. Some people, to this day, still do not know that climate change is happening or how they can help. Something as simple as just spreading the word, and helping people learn what they can to lend a hand could help a lot.
