Introduction
So you recycle , you have a compost pile in the backyard and you organic produce. But you still feel helpless when you hear two words:global warming.Americans alone produce 20 percent of the word’s output of greenhouse gasses.Each American produces about 40.000pounds of carbon dioxide each year.The good news is that the future of global climate change is not only in the hands of reluctant governments and multinational corporations.When you bring reusable bags to the grocery store , choose not to buy a piece of fruit out of season, or choose a compact fluorescent bulb over an incandescent one ,you’re helping cut down on greenhouse gas emissions , and you’re making your voice heard.
Examples of how to shop to reduce global warming :
Food:
Perhaps the gretest oppotunity for cutting global warming gasses through everday purchases comes with food.Where and how food is grown and processed have a big impact on greenhouse gasses produced.Consider cutting back or eliminating your purchases of beef.Beef production amounts to the equivalent of 1 gallon of gasoline in energy use for every pound produced ; cows produce 100 million tons of methane annually;and 220 million acres of land have been deforested for livestock production in the United States alone . Rice paddies also emit much methane , so cutting back on rice purchases helps.
When possible , buy locally grown produce , direct from farmers.Support local bakeries . Avoid out -of-season fruits and vegetables that must be shipped in from the sourther hemisphere.I’ve often given in to the temptation of buying what seems like beautiful , harmless fruit out-of-season . It wasn’t until I bougth a tomato (in the winter ) that had a sticker saying it was grown in a hothouse-in the European Union-that I really stopped to think about the consequences .
Buy less-processed foods.Convenience has its price: the Eart.
Think critically about the amount and type of packaging food comes in. The City of Portland’s energy office estimates that each American could cut down on carbon dioxide emissions by 230 pounds per year by purchasing products with reusable or recyclable packaging when one layer is enough.Don’t support manufacturers that wrap items in multiple layers packaging when onde is enough.
Kitchen & bath
The typical American kitchen is a showcase of an array caustic chemicals and energyintensive disposable products , from paper nakins to plastic sponges.Cloth towels and napkins can be used hundreds of times.Each member of my household has a different colored cloth napkin , which we each wash as needed.Cloth towels works better than paper ones , and you can use them for rags after they’ve worn out.Natural cellulose or loofah sponges are biodegradable and more sustainnable alternatives to plastic ones.Metal coffe filters never need replacing.
Solvents and cleaning products produce more than 36 percent of the ozone depleting substanecs in the United States annually.In addition , many cleaning supplies come plastic bottles.many of these products can be replaced in the home through various mixtures of vinegar , baking soda , water and plain soap.A good general-purpose cleaner simply onde teaspoon liquid soap mixed with one quart of to Nontaxic and Environmentally Safe Household Cleaning(Annie Berthold-Bond , Woodstock , NY:Ceres Press , 1990) for recipes.Remember to buy the ingredients in recycleable containers.
The bathroom is another source of scores of disposable products . Vinyl, plastic and nylon shower curtains can be replaced by glass enclosures , which never need replacing , or cotton. Recycled bath tissue readily available.
Clothing
Used clothing has already been produced, transported, used and discarded. Think of the resources you save by purchasing used. When you must buy new, buy timeless, durable clothing made of natural or recycled materials. Most synthetic fabrics such as polyester are made from petroleum. Question everything: What is the source of rubber for the soles of your shoes? Are they re-soleable? What about accessories, jewelry, sunglasses, even watches. I wear a vintage 1950s Swiss watch that never needs a battery-or winding. It keeps perfect time. The price: $2.00 at a garage sale. Most watches are not made to last and use heavymetal batteries.
Home
Most of us want a comfortable home. I do. But many of the comforts we choose to accept unquestioningly have hidden costs.
Home energy use is one way each of us can really make a difference. Do we really need so many lights on at night? For those lights you can’t eliminate, consider using compact fluorescent bulbs. By replacing each incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent one, you reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 500 pounds per year. A compact fluorescent has the added benefit of lasting 7,500 to 10,000 hours versus only 750-1,000 hours for an incandescent bulb.
Home carpeting is made almost exclusively of petroleum products. Tile, brick, stone or wood are permanent alternatives. Natural linoleum is biodegradable.
Bedding is another source of high-impact, fossil-fuel dependent manufacturing. Traditional mattresses are made of synthetic petroleum products, which can also emit sleepdisrupting chemicals. Futons, made from cotton or wool, require less energy to produce and will break down. For the same reasons, consider buying sheets and blankets made of all natural materials. I find all-cotton sheets more comfortable than cotton-polyester blend. Wool blankets and cotton quilts offer plenty of warmth.
Personal care
Again, try to think about all steps involved in bringing the product to the store shelf materials, manufacturing processes, transportation and recycleability. The simpler the product, the better. Consider these alternatives: refillable razors instead of disposable ones; organically grown herbal shampoos in refillable containers; for deodorant, baking soda in paper-fiber packaging; non-endangered wood and natural bristle tooth and hair brushes instead of plastic non-biodegradable ones.
Office supplies
Paper consumes trees, which are valuable carbon sinks. Tree-free paper made of kenaf, jute, hemp and cereal straw and cotton, and recycled papers, are viable alternatives.
Consider using a refillable fountain pen. Ink comes in recycleable glass jars which last for months. I’ve found my fountain pen also make writing a joy.
Major purchases
Although not usually the subject of impulse buying or day-to-day purchases, our selection of major items Eke cars and appliances can have a tremendous effect on the condition of our Consider long-term operating costs, efficiency, durability, and of course, the source of the materials, manufacturing processes, transportation and recycleability.
Many appliances, such as computers, TV and VCRs, and washing machines are becoming available in energy efficient models. Look for the Energy Star logo on computers, TVs and VCRs. These products are manufactured in accordance with EPA requirements and meet energy-efficiency standards. A directory of Energy Star TVs and VCRs is available from the EPA at http://www.gRa/gov/Mdstar/tv-vcr/list.htmI
When purchasing a car, keep in mind that a fuel-efficient model, with 32 or more miles to the gallon, saves 5,600 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Although production of ozone-depleting CFCs has been banned in the United States since 1995, stockpiles of CFCs are still being used. If purchasing a new car or car made since 1992, look for CFC-free air conditioners. All vehicles made before 1992 use CFCs in air conditioners. The type of refrigerant is labeled on the air conditioning compressor or elsewhere in the engine compartment.
A TERRA QUER AJUDA ! 