An Inconvenient Truth
A couple weeks ago, I saw Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth. I encourage each of you to go see this movie when it opens nation-wide. I especially encourage those of you who believe that Michael Crichton is a voice of reason in the "debate" on Global Warming.An Inconvenient Truth is not a strict presentation of scientific findings, it is a documentary detailing Al Gore's journey to educate the world about the consequences the Earth is suffering from personal, national and global behavior.
I do wish it would have given more interviews with scientists and dug deeper into the evidence so many skeptics ask for. However, I do feel that this is a great introduction to the subject for kids and adults alike. Unfortunately there are many Americans who do not understand or believe that Global Warming, if ignored, will ultimately be the devastating end of this planet.
From a young age, my educators and mentors have stressed how important it is to be aware of your personal impact on this planet. I grew up learning songs about CFCs and participating in beach clean-ups and Earth Day celebrations. In fact,my 5th grade class was responsible for creating a grocery bag recycling program with Albertson's and Safeway.
Now, living in NYC, my impact is far less. I do not have a car and spend a significantly less time traveling in one. However, there is still more I can do and will do to lessen my impact.
I urge each of you to take one of the following actions to cut your impact.
Turn Off Electronic Devices You're Not Using
Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when youÂre not using them will save you thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide a year.
Unplug Electronics From the Wall When Youre Not Using Them
Even when turned off, things like hairdryers, cell phone chargers and televisions use energy. In fact, the energy used to keep display clocks lit and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of total domestic energy consumption and spews 18 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year!
Be Sure You Are Recycling at Home
You can save 2,400 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by recycling half of the waste your household generates. Earth 911 can help you find recycling resources in your area.
Buy Recycled Paper Products
It takes less 70 to 90% less energy to make recycled paper and it prevents the loss of forests worldwide.
Plant A Tree
A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Shade provided by trees can also reduce your air conditioning bill by 10 to 15%. The Arbor Day Foundation has information on planting and provides trees you can plant with membership.
Switch to Green Power
In many areas, you can switch to energy generated by clean, renewable sources such as wind and solar. The Green Power Network is a good place to start to figure out what's available in your area.
Buy Locally Grown and Produced Foods
The average meal in the United States travels 1,200 miles from the farm to your plate. Buying locally will save fuel and keep money in your community.
Buy Organic Foods as Much as Possible
Organic soils capture and store carbon dioxide at much higher levels than soils from conventional farms. If we grew all of our corn and soybeans organically, we'd remove 580 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere!
Eat Less Meat
Methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas and cows are one of the greatest methane emitters. Their grassy diet and multiple stomachs cause them to produce methane, which they exhale with every breath.
Reduce the Number of Miles You Drive by Walking, Biking, Carpooling or Taking Mass Transit Wherever Possible
Avoiding just 10 miles of driving every week would eliminate about 500 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! Click here to find transit options in your area.
Find out more about An Inconvenient Truth and your impact here.
posted by Annie Mae @ 12:13 PM
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