In the pages of Ranger Rick magazine, you read about how the Earth's climate is getting warmer.
Why is this happening? A large part of it has to do with the modern conveniences, such as lights, TVs, computers, and appliances, many people use.
As you know, these are powered by electricity. And to make electricity power companies burn millions of tons of what are called fossil fuels, mostly coal. Another fossil fuel is burned every time we drive our cars, vans, and trucks. It's called oil. Companies drill oil out of the ground and then turn it into gasoline or diesel fuel.
It's wonderful to have all these appliances and what would we do without our vehicles, right? But there's a problem with so many of them everywhere. All around the globe, people are burning fossil fuel—way too much fossil fuel—to power these things. And as fossil fuel burns, it gives off a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2).
The carbon dioxide winds up in the atmosphere, along with oxygen and other gases. Our atmosphere is like a "blanket" around the Earth. This blanket holds in some of the sun's heat, keeping the globe warm. But burning fossil fuels is adding lots more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. And that's causing the globe to warm up too much—and too fast.
How can we help to reduce global warming? We need to find other kinds of energy to power our appliances and vehicles. Many scientists and inventors are already working hard to do just this. They are finding ways to make less harmful fuels from some plants. And they're finding new ways to use the energy from the sun, wind, and waves.
But each of us can make a difference. How? By cutting back on the amount of energy or fossil fuels we use every day. It may not seem like much, but if we each took just a few steps, it would make a huge difference.
Here are some things you and your family can do to join the fight against global warming. |
Simple, everyday things to do:
Turn off the lights, computer, and TV when you are done using them
Unplug computers, TVs, and other electronic things when you know you won't be using them for a while. Believe it or not, many of them use electricity even when they're shut off.
Wait until you have a lot of clothes to wash before using the washing machine. And then use the cold water setting. Why? Heating water uses lots of energy.
Take shorter showers and don't fill the tub way up when you take a bath (see above).
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it and use the energy-saving setting.
Adjust your water heater so it's no higher than 120 degrees.
In summer, if you have to use an air-conditioner, set the temperature a few degrees higher than you usually do.
In the winter, set the thermostat on your furnace a few degrees lower than you normally do.
Going places? If it's just a short distance, think about walking or riding a bike, instead of hopping in the car. (It's always smart to check with your parents first.) If you do need to go by car, see if your family can combine errands instead of going back and forth to the same area several times a day. This can help save gas, as well as reduce the carbon dioxide sent into the air by car exhaust.
Check the tire pressure on your family's vehicles at least once a month. Low pressure makes a car burn more gas. Also make sure your cars are tuned up. A well-kept vehicle pollutes less.
Recycle your paper, plastic, and cans.
Even bigger things to do:
Install compact fluorescent bulbs in the lights you use most often. The bulbs cost more to buy than regular ones, but they'll save you plenty of money over time, along with saving electricity.
Insulate your hot water heater.
Plant a tree or two. Trees take in CO2 from the air, so they can help reduce global warming in their own corner of the world.
Weatherize your windows and doors to keep out cold air in winter and hot air in summer.
If it's allowed in your neighborhood, hang your wash outside to dry rather than throwing it in a clothes dryer. (Clothes dryers use a lot of energy.)
Super-sized things to do:
Shop smart. Whenever you can: Buy fresh, locally grown fruits and veggies, organic products, and things made from recycled products, including recycled paper for your computer printer. Take mesh bags with you to the supermarket and reuse them over and over rather than getting paper or plastic.
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Shop less. Cut down on how much stuff you buy. It takes energy to make, package, and ship things to a store.
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Next time your family is shopping for a car, choose one that gets very high gas mileage. Find out more by logging onto ww.fueleconomy.gov/feg/choosing.shtml.
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Next time your family needs to replace a major appliance, such as a refrigerator, air conditioner, or clothes washer, look for one with an "Energy Star" label. Try and pick the one with the best energy efficiency rating.
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Add more insulation to your home—to help keep out heat in the summer and cold in the winter. And if your family is moving, look for a home that is already well insulated and that isn't larger than what you need. (It takes more energy—and costs more—to heat a large home than a small one.)
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Tell friends, classmates, neighbors, and others about the need to reduce global warming. Your parents can also write, call, or e-mail their elected officials and encourage them to do what they can to reduce global warming.
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Learn all you can about global warming. Here are some Web sites to start with:
NWF's Climate Classroom
National Wildlife Federation
http://www.nwf.org/globalwarming
Stop Global Warming
http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/sgw_learnmore.asp
Greenpeace
12 Steps
National Resources Defense Council
Global Warming Solutions |
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