Global warming has been a huge haunting issue for mankind in the recent years, as it has brought about a lot of undesirable climatic changes and affected the natural course in many areas around the world. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing at an alarming rate and burning more and more fossil fuels like oil, coal, natural gas and gasoline is only worsening the situation.

It is high time that we realize the importance to cut down the use of fossil fuels and save energy as well as the depleting natural resources, thereby contribute to reducing global warming.

The following are a few simple tips that demand changes in our lifestyle and habits:

• Choose reusable products instead of one-time use and then throw.

• Buy products in bulk so that you would consume lesser amount of packaging materials.

• Use the same storage containers by refilling rather than throwing them.

• Recycle aluminum cans, paper and plastic, glass and motor oil.

• Use re-refined oil in your vehicle than virgin oil.

• Initiate recycling program in your local area and help the government to spread the awareness more easily.

• Recycle as much household waste as possible; you would be able to reduce more than 2,000 pounds of carbon-dioxide every year!

• Add insulation to your attic and walls. Install caulking or weather stripping around windows and doors to lower the cost of heating your rooms by 25%. This would also mean that you are reducing the amount of energy required to cool down your home!

• Try and keep the temperatures moderate. Turn down the heating system while you are away. Adjust your thermostat accordingly during the summer and winter and you can again save more than 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide on a yearly basis!

• Instead of using incandescent light bulb, use CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light) lamps. For every 60-watt bulb that you replace with CFL, you would be saving about 30 dollars over the bulb life! CFL emits less heat and has a longer life span. It also consumes lesser energy for giving light. If every family in the US uses CFL, it is equivalent to taking off 7.5 million cars from the road in a year!

• Try and use local transport if there is good connectivity. Uses cycles for going to nearby places and avoid driving your car too much. Biking and walking could give good exercise for your body and also reduce the amount of gases emitted in the environment.

• Car pooling would save a lot of gasoline and also reduce the traffic jams during peak hours.

• Keep your car tires properly inflated to improve your mileage. You would save fuel as well as emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.

• Buy energy-efficient products even if they cost higher. It would save your utility bills to a large extent in the long run.

• Avoid buying materials packaged with non-biodegradable materials.

• Wrap your geyser with an insulating blanket if it is more than 5 years old. Set your geyser temperature to 120 degrees, you would be able to save a lot of energy.

• Take shower baths with low-flow, you would save a lot of water.

Rick Missimer

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