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5 ways we are killing the earth
By newsguy | December 8, 2008
Silly right? Wrong!
Standby power, as called vampire power, which are common in DVD player clocks, coffeepot LEDs and cellphone chargers, are responsible for about 5% of the U.S.’s total residential electricity use. This number translates into $4 billion dollars in costs and tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. So don’t leave it running, turn it off when you are done.
2. Flying to your relatives
Yes flying is necessary, but it is also costly to more than your pocketbook. Aviation currently is responsible for 1% of the carbon emissions, but with more and more countries behind deemed tourist hot spots this number is expected to rise dramatically. So keep your wings clipped for the future (as to say fly as little as possible.)
3. Upgrade your iPhone (and all other phones too)
They are always making ‘new and improved’ cellphones, the must haves for all of a few seconds, but that instant satisfaction isn’t worth the environmental cost. Instead of just tossing out your phone think about upgrading less often and always recycle. Phones contain small amounts of precious medal, which if combined with the millions of other ‘old’ phones could help stop some damaging mining operations. Also dumping them lets harmful chemicals, like mercury, go unchecked. So wait a while before you get the next IT item.
4. Living in suburbia
Sure you get the nice lawn, and the nice house, with all the neighbors that know all the names of everyone, but you’re also causing a bit more damage to our planet. The lawns that we prize ourselves on are the product of sweat, brawn, and pesticides. All that people pour into them to get that pretty green color end up killing plants and animals and finding its way into the ground water. Also it usually takes a typical American suburbanite 25-minute commute to get where they are going, realizing tons of carbon dioxide emissions. So trade in green lawns for a green life.
5. Run! Don’t walk…from plastic?
Its true this toy and storage favorite has a much darker side. These non-biodegradable items don’t have anywhere to go, and create a huge mess. They have also been known to contain hormone disrupting chemicals and other toxins. So in the future take a reusable bag to the grocery story and opt for glass.
Topics: environment, earth, global warming, What do you think? |