Ten Simple Contributions You can Make to Reduce Global Warming

We are living in troubling times. Global Warming is real, and the world's resources are rapidly dwindling down to alarming levels. Below is an article I wrote listing some simple things each of us can do to help reverse the global climate changes that are threatening our way of life. One person at a time we can make a difference if we embrace the concept that less is more.

Scientists estimate that Glacier National Park in Montana will not have a single glacier left by 2030. Scary thought that a National Park, and its singular attraction will disappear from the face of the earth in what amounts to the blink of an eye if we do not change our ways, take steps to reduce dramatic climate changes being brought on by Global Warming. Change starts at home, especially here in America. We make up 22 percent of the world's population, yet account for 22 percent of all Green House gas emissions. Each of us, doing our own part can effect positive changes that will begin reducing Green House gases, and in turn, reversing the harmful effects being wrought by Global Warming. Below is a top ten list of simple steps you can take to be a part of the solution.

Recycle/Freecycle

Recycling is simple, and something we can do everyday. One ton of recycled paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Trees act as natural scrubbers, actively removing CO2 from the atmosphere, sequestering it from doing harm. Recycling one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a television for three hours. Freecycling works the same way, but amounts to giving away to friends, family or charity things you no longer use or need, rather than throwing them away and seeing them end up in a landfill.

Buy and Shop Locally

The average meal on the American table travels more than 1,200 miles all the while using precious energy, adding CO2 the environment, and increasing our personal carbon footprint. Make an effort to buy products that are locally produced.

Eat Less Meat (Notice I do not say, "eat no meat"...I like my steak.)

Raising, Slaughtering and transporting Livestock is responsible for 18 percent of global warming emissions. Also, the millions of cattle raised around the world release vast quantities of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Limiting meat consumption will encourage smaller herds, which will help cool our planet.

Bike Instead of Ride

You keep one pound of CO2 out of the environment for every mile you don't drive. Additionally, biking will lead to increased health and vitality.

Demand Change

Demand that your elected leaders make the climate a priority, locally, at the state level, and nationally. Politicians are greening their speeches, we now have to hold their feet to the fire so they green their actions and votes.

Lights Off

Turn your lights off every time you leave a room. You will be surprised at the energy you save.

Drink Tap

Bottled water creates over 1.5 million tons of plastic waste each year, which takes about 47 million gallons of oil to produce. Stop buying bottled water and instead filter your tap water.

Unplug

Deliberate or not, many of today's modern appliances and gadgets (their chargers) are energy thieves contributing to Global Warming. Appliances and chargers (including MP3 player and cell phone chargers) drain electricity, even when they're not in use. Forty percent of home energy is used to power devices that are turned off. Using power strips, unplugging unnecessary electronics when not in use can save a great deal of money and energy.

Go Organic

Organic agriculture produces soil excellent at storing carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere. Organic fields are more resistant to droughts and flood than conventional fields. Purchasing organic supports increase of organic acreage keeping CO2 out of the atmosphere.

Switch

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) last 12 times longer than incandescent bulbs. If every home in America switched one incandescent bulb to a CFL, it would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the roads. LED's promise even greater savings, promise greater CO2 reductions.

We all can contribute our share to fighting global warming, and these ten simple steps will make a difference if embraced and practiced by all of us. If we do our part, we can create a healthy, thriving, green eco-friendly planet for generations to come. Scientists agree, for the world to continue living comfortably on our planet, we must reduce carbon emissions by 80 percent before 2050. It is an attainable goal if we all do our part. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

Shared Tears

One petal dangled from the wilting rose, barely maintaining its tenuous connection to the flower. Marilyn, her honey blond locks blowing in the gentle winter wind knelt down to caress the singular petal, a single tear staining the beauty of her face as it slid down her rosy cheek. As I often did, I watched her silent vigil, smiled as she deftly brushed the snow off the few remaining leaves of the long stemmed tea rose clinging to life in the garden beside her house. This day the overnight snow kept me from going out to say hello, looking up she waved at me, knowing I would be there watching, sharing in her routine.

She pulled the zip lock bag out of her coat pocket; sprinkled yesterdays coffee grinds around the base of the bush, dusted the snow off her gloved hands, the flakes sparkling in the crisp morning sunlight as they drifted back down to earth like diamonds shared from heaven. Wiping her tears away she tenderly kissed the tenacious petal and turned to head back indoors.

Taking my cue I went into the kitchen, putting water on to boil. Set up two cups, two saucers, got the Chamomile tea and honey out of the cupboard, placed the last of the Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Delights on a plate and placed them on the tray standing sentry on the counter top. The shrill sound of the whistling tea kettle let me know the water was ready, interrupted my reverie of that day not so long ago. Carefully I placed one tea bag in each cup, gingerly added a generous dollop of honey, and added the water to steep just as the doorbell rang.

I gracefully maneuvered my wheelchair through recently widened doorways of my home to the entry hall, careful not to bump anything along the way. Opening the door I let Marilynn in, she warmly smiled before bending down to give me a gentle peck on my cheek.

This was part of our shared routine.

Neither of us spoke as she whisked past me into the kitchen, I close behind. I watched as she slipped off her coat, watched as she placed cups on the tray and carried everything out to my sun room, placed it all on the table where we both could peer out through the window, see the rose bush her husband had planted two summers ago while home on leave.

She spoke first, asked me how my therapy was going, the usual small chit chat as we nibbled our cookies, sipped our tea. Her strength always amazed me, her will to carry on helping me in my own path of healing, my quest to again be whole. I listened, watched for the tears I knew would come. She glanced out the window at her rose bush, the one I'd help Rob pick out at the nursery down the road as a gift for their third anniversary.

Turning back, that singular tear again rolling down her cheek she smiled weakly and then began too speak, "Tell me again about the roadside bomb, I need to hear again the last words he spoke to you as you held him in your arms."

US Automakers Killed The Electric Car, Will US EPA Drive Green Car Technology Out of America on Their Behalf?

For those just getting to know me, I am a bit of a political junkie, a green eco-friendly environmental activist who has an interest in electric cars. That reality, my interests in things green has seen me write various articles on environmental issues. Below is one I wrote back in March when the US EPA turned down California's plans to have tighter emissions standards than the national standards. If you have been following the Presidential Elections this year, this article is a timely piece, and hopefully we can see some lively debate in the comments section below, or not. Either way, enjoy the read, and hopefully it will get you to think.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) turned its back on California and the citizens of America when they formally denied California the right to control and regulate greenhouse-gas emissions from the states millions of vehicles. The US EPA finalized its rejection of the requested waiver, thus opening the door for Green Car Technologies to move to proverbial greener pastures, bringing their products (and technology) to market in countries with stronger policies that set far stricter standards for greenhouse-gas emissions.

California's waiver if granted would have seen the state reduce tail pipe emissions on every vehicle by 30 percent by the year 2016. Eighteen other states were standing in line to file for similar waivers once the state of California's waiver had been granted.The villain in this sad tale of caving in to the Auto Industry Titans is EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson. Johnson had stated he would deny the waiver in December, which outraged almost everyone involved.

His announcement sparked another lawsuit from California, Congressional hearings and an angry letter from 19 union presidents representing more than 10,000 EPA employees who were in support of granting the waiver according to The Los Angeles Times. EPA staff members in recommending granting of the waiver had stated in a memo there was "no legal or technical justification" for the agency to deny it. One has to wonder, who bought off Stephen Johnson or his superiors? The document denying the waiver held firm in the false belief that global warming isn't local in nature or scope, and California's conditions aren't "compelling and extraordinary" enough to justify a waiver (see Associated Press story). No melting icebergs in your state, no waiver?

This kind of idiot Federal Agency decision made to protect Corporate interests rather than protect the environment are going to push green technology companies to abandon their financial goals and plans here in America for greener pastures, and in doing so leave America behind in the race for green technology. Despite a bill passed in December that raises fuel economy standards (in the year 2021), America is falling further and further behind other nations in leading the green charge to reduce Global Warming and build a world Green Economy.

The United States and our Green Entrepreneurs have the dreams and desires to lead the world in going green with no better example in the Green Car parade than Tesla and their Roadster. The company has three models now, and rumor has it they are in negotiations with the Big Detroit Automakers to quickly bring economy of scale to their designs. (Look for a public stock offering in Tesla in the next 18 months.)

Allowing California and other states their right to manage and regulate greenhouse gas emissions would be a huge step forward in mainstreaming companies such as Tesla. Conversely, the US EPA's decision could see Tesla and other companies bolt to Europe where stricter standards make marketing of their cars a more attractive option.

If America is going to lead the Green Wave, is going to be the Green Technology leader in the world, our politicians and Federal Agencies charged with protecting our environment need to change their ways. The world we leave our children depends on it.