MODULE #4: Climate Change & Global Warming

… Strategies & Solutions

"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." ~John Muir

GHG emissions

from Human Activities

Other Pollution

from Human Activities

Natural Cycles

Land Use Patterns

Environmental & Human

Health

Human behavior and technology

Economics

GHG emissions

from Human Activities

Other Pollution

from Human Activities

Natural Cycles

Land Use Patterns

Environmental & Human

Health

Human behavior and technology

Economics

Choices that each of us make today will help determine whether we can solve these problems

… or whether we end up with a knotted mess…

Choices you make right now can:

… & save

Reduce GHG emissions

Reduce air pollution that degrades our environment and our health

Let’s take a look at some strategies and solutions you can start doing right now, whether you’re …

…at home

…at school

Or… on the road

… at the

store

At home…• Turn off lights and appliances (like TVs or computers)

when you’re not using them.

• Use reusable plates, cups & silverware at parties, picnics, & cookouts.

• Replace old light bulbs and appliances with new energy efficient ones like compact fluorescent bulbs and EPA Energy Star appliances ® (this can reduce the energy you use in your home by up to 40% !) - PLEASE Recycle burned-out compact fluorescent bulbs though … as they contain a very small amount of toxic Mercury!

• Eliminate “phantom loads”! Any electronic device that has a remote control (TVs, DVD players, stereos, etc.) or a digital clock (microwave, etc.) consumes electricity all the time unless unplugged or on a power strip that’s been turned OFF.

• Take shorter showers … heating water uses energy … & some greenhouse gases go into the air to create that energy

• Dress warmer in the winter instead of turning up the heat … and wear cooler clothes in summer instead of cranking up the air conditioning

• Plant some native trees, flowers, & shrubs in your yard. Plants absorb CO2. Reducing the size of your lawn means less mowing, fewer GHG emissions & less pollution sent into the air

• Hang your laundry out to air-dry rather than throwing it in the dryer

• Only run the washing machine or dishwasher when it’s completely full

• Recycle & reuse things whenever possible

• Use rechargeable instead of “throw-away” batteries.

At school…

• Do an energy audit and / or calculate the “carbon footprint” of your school or classroom

• Brainstorm with your teachers and other students about ways your school or community could work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Bring your lunch to school in a reusable lunch box… and instead of paper napkins, use a cloth napkin that can be washed & used again

• Encourage your parents to buy food and beverages “in bulk” instead of in individual portions. (For example, it’s better for the environment if you buy a gallon of apple juice and bring some of that for lunch in a reusable thermos instead of buying throw-away juice boxes of apple juice)

• Encourage your school cafeteria to buy local foods, and avoid using disposable items whenever possible

• Ride the school bus whenever possible to avoid all those extra car-trips

At the store…

• Buy and eat meals that are lower on the food chain (no meat) several times per week (or more).

• “Buy Local” whenever you can (this includes food, gifts, clothing and more)

• Carry the things you buy at the store in reusable cloth bags instead of paper or plastic bags.

• When you have a choice, buy items that aren’t “over-packaged” (For example: if the item is in a plastic case that’s inside of a cardboard box that’s surrounded by plastic wrap… then it’s over-packaged!)

• Buy food & beverages “in bulk”, instead of individually-wrapped items.

On the road…

• Plan vacations and fun trips that are closer to home … or plan to have fun right in your own living room or backyard

• For short trips, ride a bike or walk instead of taking a ride in the car

• Encourage your friends and family members to buy smaller cars that use less gas. (Every gallon of gasoline used by a vehicle puts 20 lbs of CO2 into the air… that’s about 300 lbs of CO2 for each tank full of gas!!!)

• Encourage drivers to 1) keep their vehicle properly tuned-up, 2) inflate the tires the proper pressure, & 3) always travel at the speed limit (or slower). These 3 things will keep you safer while reducing fuel consumption and GHG emissions

• Carpool, share rides, combine trips and errands … in short, drive LESS

• Whenever possible, ride the bus or some other form of public transportation

Now & in the Future…

• Whenever you can … share with your friends and family what you know about slowing climate change and caring for the environment.

• Study hard in school today … and as you grow, consider a career that will help keep the Earth healthy for all of us!

Thanks!