Global warming is a challenge for the entire world. As it’s mostly caused by human activities, everyone has a part to play in cleaning it up. If you’re thinking of ways to actively contribute to the fight against global warming, here are three simple steps you can take today:
Use less energy/clean energy.
Electricity generation is one of the significant producers of greenhouse gases. Most electrical plants, especially those that use non-renewable energy sources, produce two or more of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or nitrogen oxides.
To help the fight against global warming, you can switch to an energy provider that generates a significant portion of their energy from renewable sources. Those energy providers typically carry a Green-e Energy certification.
If that isn’t possible, reducing your energy usage can go a long way, too. You can do this by improving your home to become more energy-efficient. Energy efficiency is achievable by weatherizing your home, using energy-efficient appliances, and most importantly, always plugging out idle devices.
Change your refrigerant.
Refrigerants are the cooling agents used in our refrigerators and air conditioners, and they have a massive effect on global warming. There are three different classifications of refrigerants. The most dangerous of them are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). CFCs are potent greenhouse gases, up to 10,000 times stronger than carbon dioxide, and can last up to 100 years in the atmosphere. CFC refrigerants are generally being phased out of production due to their toxicity.
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) are another category of refrigerants that cause depletion to the ozone layer. However, if you use an older air conditioning system or refrigerator, there are chances you’re using HCFCs.
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are the best choice because they don’t have any effect on the ozone layers. Thankfully, there are many variations to choose from, including 134a, 4040a, 407c, and 401a.
Plant a tree.
The primary culprit of al global warming is carbon. This is primarily due to the many ways in which it’s produced. Almost all combustion processes result in the release of one or both of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.
Trees, however, need carbon for their growth and are good at trapping atmospheric carbon. Tree planting has long been touted as a significant solution, but recent research has shown just how powerful it can be.
A recent study by Jean-Francois Bastin and Tom Crowther of ETH Zurich showed that if we planted trees on all the lands suitable for planting, we could save as much as 20 years’ worth of global warming.
While it may not be possible to plant all those trees, every tree planted counts toward achieving the goal of environmental sustainability. Compared with other methods, tree planting ranks high in the most achievable ways of fighting global warming. For more information, check out https://www.thelocaltreeexperts.com/ky/louisville/.
Fighting global warming is a task that’s much bigger than any of us. However, to make a difference, we must all make small adjustments that count toward the greater good. Once you implement any of these three steps, you become one of those working toward a better, safer, and sustainable tomorrow.