Reflective Journal 3

Top 10 things that can be done to help reduce global warming-

"Burning fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, oil and gasoline raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming."

"You can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely. Here are 10 simple actions you can take to help reduce global warming. "

1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Do your part to reduce waste by choosing reusable products instead of disposables.

2. Use less heat and air-conditioning.
Adding insulation to your walls and attic, and installing weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows. Turn down the heat while you're sleeping at night or away during the day, and keep temperatures moderate at all times.

3. Change a light bulb.
Wherever practical, replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs.If every U.S. family replaced one regular light bulb with a CFL, it would eliminate 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gases, the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.

4. Drive less and drive smart.
Less driving = Fewer emmisions

5. Buy energy-efficient products.
Avoid products that come with excess pakaging, especially molded plastic and other pakaging that cannot be recycled.

6. Use less hot water.
By washing clothes in warm or cold water helps to reduce the use of hot water and the energy required to produce it. By doing that can save at least 500 pounds of carbon dioxide annually in most households.

7. Use the "Off" switch.
Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. And remember to turn off your television, video player, stereo and computer when you're not using them. It's also a good idea to turn off the water when you're not using it.

8. Plant a tree.
If you have the means to plant a tree, start digging. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. They are an integral part of the natural atmospheric exchange cycle here on Earth, but there are too few of them to fully counter the increases in carbon dioxide caused by automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities. A single tree will absorb approximately one ton of carbon dioxide during its lifetime.

9. Get a report card from your utility company.
Many utility companies provide free home energy audits to help consumers identify areas in their homes that may not be energy efficient. In addition, many utility companies offer rebate programs to help pay for the cost of energy-efficient upgrades.

10. Encourage others to conserve.
Spread the message to everyone!