by Adam

Created on: February 11, 2007   Last Updated: April 28, 2007

The environment is everyone's business; we are all its stewards. Nonetheless, we still manage to cripple Nature with out industrial obsessions: our cars, electronics, and energy demands. The effects of our actions are great. CO2 emissions from our automobiles are causing global climate change; dependence upon fossil fuels for energy often defines international geopolitics.

Today, you can do something. Small changes in individual daily routines, when extended across the population, can have vast positive consequences. If many people start lessening their demand on the environment just a little, the overall success will be quite enormous. Start now, and save our planet, its the only one we have.

FOSSIL FUELS
Carbonates like gasoline are nonrenewable. We can essentially run out of fossil fuels because it takes millions of years of heavy pressure and high temperatures to recreate them. So, start by lessening your own demand on these substances. Carpool to work or school so that only one car is consuming fuel instead of several. Use public transportation, which is very low-priced, to minimize the fuel use further. Finally, ride a bicycle or walk. Using the power of your body eliminates any nonrenewable usage while improving your own health. Who can argue with that?

ENERGY USE
There are many ways to lessen our global demand on energy. The electric current that flows into our homes comes from many sources, yet few are renewable sources. Much of our voltage is derived from fossil fuel burning plants, which have terrible consequences on the air quality of surrounding areas and contributes to Middle East dependency and global climate change. Quite simply, we must alleviate our demands on the power grid to use less nonrenewable fuel.

Did you know that the incandescent light bulbs in our homes are 5% efficient? That means that 95% percent of the power you pay for to light your home is wasted! It's not the power company's fault, but you can do something about it. Install high-efficiency bulbs, available at any home improvement store. They only cost a bit more, but they save you money in efficiency and duration of use.

What about heating costs? Its not the electric utility's fault that your warm air leaks out of your house and you have to pay them more money to keep your family in a comfortable climate. Luckily, you can fix this too. Windows are the main avenues of escape for your much-needed warm air (or cool air in the summer time). So, make the investment in new windows that

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