Carbon Neutral
The words carbon neutral have been significant lately. Climatic
change is staring us in the eye. It's a prelude to full-blown global
warming, a condition brought by the massive concentration of greenhouse
gasses in the atmosphere. If greenhouse gases continue to increase,
the globe will be subjected to extensive flooding which would significantly
lead to the receding shorelines, particularly in low-lying areas
like New York City and New Orleans.
This would also be the cause of deaths induced by incessant heat
waves since temperatures are expected to rise by 2.5 degrees centigrade
borne out of the depleted ozone layer. This is an impending disaster
that is bound to happen and if we can do something about it, then
we won't have to experience it, at least in our lifetime.
The option is to go carbon neutral. Going carbon neutral entails
practices that limit the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere,
which may begin right at home. Like the cliché, "charity
begins at home" mankind must likewise impose a change in lifestyle
and strive to be carbon neutral.
Concerned citizens should try to emulate the "reduce, reuse
and recycle" practice to manifest their commitment to the environment.
The 3r's when strictly adhered to, results in the reduced emissions
of harmful gasses because manufacturing will be on a limited scale.
Apart from developing a clean lifestyle, said practice upholds better
health, entails less medication and promotes a longer life.
To be totally carbon neutral is to have a zero-rating on gas emissions.
Now that is impossible, but people get parallel commitment by buying
carbon offsets to provide a balance over what we release and retain.
Simple house tips to be carbon neutral
Start with your driving habit. Try to limit your driving. If possible
walk, use your bike, join a carpool scheme and take public transportation.
Most probably, you will save around 2.5 kilograms of carbon dioxide
for every 3 miles that you refrain from driving.
Replace all your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps.
If you can muster 25 units, then you have reduced emissions by at
least 1,600 kilograms annually. Always recycle, particularly household
wastes as this narrows down to at least 1,500 kilograms of carbon
dioxide emissions saved per year.
Even the simple task of maintaining proper tire pressure improves
fuel efficiency and every gallon of gas saved has a corresponding
ratio of carbon dioxide saved from the air. Reducing usage of hot
water saves 3 tons of harmful gasses annually.
Some tips to become carbon neutral include the avoidance of products
with complicated packaging. In addition, adjustment of your thermostat
2 degrees down during winter and 2 degrees up during summer saves
1,500 kilograms of carbon dioxide from the air yearly. What is really
practical is to turn off appliances (TV's, DVD player, stereo) including
your computers after use. Said practice not only saves energy but
also thousands of kilograms of carbon dioxide.
Recommended also is the planting of trees. Trees not only absorb
tons of carbon dioxide in their lifetime but likewise supply fresh,
clean oxygen and moisture.
Be a model to your neighbors
You cannot combat climate change all by yourself, entice your friends,
associates, relatives, neighbors to follow your lead. Advocate the
importance of being carbon neutral to help our rapidly deteriorating
environment. The more people involved in this endeavor, the higher
the chances of success.
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