Ways You Can Battle Global Warming

Global warming has suddenly leapt out of the textbooks as a theoretical issue to a glaringly real problem. Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" coupled with global trepidation about intensified weather shifts have started to put the public on edge. Well, the public should be on edge because this is a very real problem that will create some very real shit pretty soon if something is not done. And many things NEED to be done.

What can you do? Well, everything for starters. On the political arena, you're only one voice. But when was the last time you actually used that voice to help influence policy? You don't have to attend rallies or give money to organizations. Take about fifteen minutes and write a brief letter or email to your local congressman/congresswoman. You can even call them. If you TELL them that you believe that global warming is an issue that deserves more attention from the United States government, then people in power will have a harder time ignoring it. The reason why policymakers are able to tiptoe around hard scientific evidence is that they know that the public will willingly push the issue off to the side because it won't directly affect them for years, maybe even decades. The next time a talking head goes on television and says that taking measures against global warming will cost the nation money or jobs, then don't buy into it. Let them know your views. Remember that elected officials are elected to make YOUR voice be heard. Take fifteen minutes out of your video game playing or porn surfing and write something worthwhile.

In terms of lifestyle, there's plenty of stuff you can do that won't cost you much money or cause you much stress at all. If it's cold where you live, then turn your damn thermostat down and put on a pair of socks, long pants, and a sweater. Chances are that if you can afford hundreds of dollars in heating oil each month, you can afford layered clothing. Even turning your heat down two or three degrees will not only save your wallet in the long run, but will also reduce the amount of coal, oil, and natural gas needed to heat your suburban box. During the day, open the curtains in your house to let sunlight in. In effect, you're creating your own mini greenhouse effect, but a beneficial one that will use the sun's energy to help heat your house. If no one is in the house, the only heat you need on is the minimum needed to keep the pipes from freezing, around sixty degrees. If it's summer, you don't need to keep the AC on full blast when you're out of the house.

With regard to appliances, use as few of them as possible. If you're out of the room for longer than ten minutes, turn off the light, television sets, or computer monitors. Buy more efficient lightbulbs (ie: fluorescent). They last longer, are better for the environment, and will save you money in the long run. If all of these things sound like an irritating bother, get used to it you wimps. Believe me, it'll be better than dealing with a flood of people wanting to stay in your house when their communities end up underwater by a rising sea.

If at all possible, wash a few dishes by hand each day. It doesn't take more than five or ten minutes to fill a drainer with clean dishes when done by hand. Using the dishwasher uses a hell of a lot more energy in order to heat the water. Instead of using a hot cycle for whites in the washing machine, use the warm cycle. Chances are that you're not going to be able to get rid of the stains on your white socks even with scalding hot water, so live with it. Take shorter showers. If the average shower head puts out about two gallons of water a minute, you're using twenty gallons of water per ten minute shower. What you should be doing is using a minute of water to wet the skin, turning it off for a minute to soap up, and then using another minute of water to rinse off. Don't think it's possible or bearable? Try it. If you do it that way you're saving nearly six thousand gallons of water a year on daily showers. And more importantly you're saving the amount of energy needed to heat the water.

Drive slower. The faster you drive, the more gas you consume. Use cruise control and be alert to your speed. You'll save money on speeding tickets and gas, and you'll reduce the amount of gas that the country is using. Don't stomp on the gas or the brake unless you need to, it burns a hell of a lot more fuel that way than if you smoothly accelerate or decelerate. If you're in the market for a new car and are someone who doesn't drive all that much, has no kids, and doesn't cart a lot of junk around to work or elsewhere, buy a hybrid car. The price has gone down so they're more affordable. Also, if you buy a hybrid car, you'll further show American car companies that they're making a ridiculous assumption that producing more hummers and SUVs is somehow more profitable in the world market. Since Toyota and Honda are leading the automotive pack with a healthy lead, it's clear that hybrids and fuel-efficient cars are the future.

Will global warming lead to catastrophe? It doesn't have to. When might that catastrophe happen? Why would you be concerning yourself with WHEN a catastrophe MIGHT happen if you know that you have the time and means to avert that tragedy? Grow some balls and add some minor inconveniences to your life. It might save countless others.