This article takes a look at the different ways to prevent global warming. Whilst we might not be able to prevent climate change completely, we can take many steps that can help to reduce the future effects it could have on our planet.
Many of the steps explained in this article can be followed during our day to day lives. The more people that help to prevent global warming, the greater the combined effect will be. Working together, we can help to reduce theĀ effects of global warming.
Conserve Energy
A key step towards preventing global warming is to conserve energy. The vast majority of energy that we consume is produced from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. During this process, greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere – gases that contribute to the artificial warming of our planet. By conserving energy, we will reduce the levels of fossil fuels that we burn, thus reducing the level of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Here are a few ideas on how you can conserve energy in your day to day life:
- Insulate your home by installing wall and loft insulation. This way, less heat will be lost when outside temperatures drop. Similarly, if you have traditional single-pane windows and doors, consider replacing them for modern double glazed alternatives – or go one better and install triple glazing.
- Swap your light bulbs for energy efficient alternatives. Modern energy saving bulbs consume far less energy than traditional bulbs. They can also offer far better life expectancy, helping to save you money.
- Ensure electrical appliances are fully turned off when not in use. Many of these appliances will have a ‘standby’ mode that always consumes energy. By switching appliances off at the wall, we can collectively save vast quantities of energy.
- Buy energy efficient appliances when you next need to replace your TV, laptop, fridge, freezer, washer and/or dryer. Many other small appliances will have energy efficient models available – just look out for their energy rating when buying them.
The above steps are examples of how energy conservation can help to prevent or reduce the effects of global warming. In addition, many of these steps could actually help to save you money in the long run by reducing your energy bills.
Commute Smarter
Commuting is a key part of daily life. Most of us will own a car and those of us who don’t will most likely make use of public transport. Buses, cars, trains, and planes contribute to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Below are a few ways in which we can commute smarter to help prevent global warming:
- Walk and/or cycle more. Use your own two feet or invest in a bicycle for making shorter journey’s. Not only is this good for the environment, it can also be good for your health.
- Carpool where possible and give your colleague(s) a ride to and from work. Some towns and cities have dedicated lanes for people who carpool. This could help to reduce your journey time and save fuel in the process.
- Drive sensibly in the correct gear to reduce emissions. You can also close all windows to help reduce drag and save fuel as a direct result.
- Make sure the tire pressure of your vehicle is set to the recommended level as this can help to reduce fuel consumption.
- Remove any unnecessary items from your vehicle. Check your trunk for any items you may have overlooked. The heavier your car is, the more fuel you will use on your journey.
- Consider buying a hybrid or fully electric vehicle as these often boast far better fuel economy than petrol and diesel alternatives.
Invest in Renewables
Renewable energy systems are becoming a far more common sight in residential settings. Solar, wind and geothermal energy can all be used to help power and heat our homes, helping to reduce our dependency on external supplies. Here are a few ideas for investing in renewable energy technologies:
- Install solar panels to generate electricity. This will help to reduce your consumption of external electricity supplies that might be produced through the burning of fossil fuels.
- Install solar hot water panels. These are slightly different to traditional solar panels as they don’t provide electricity, but instead help to heat your home’s water supply. This can help to reduce the amount of energy you will need from other non-renewable sources.
- Install residential wind turbines. Although this option might not be the right fit for everyone, those who live in a suitable area could generate electricity from the wind.
- Install a geothermal heating system. Again, this option isn’t suitable for everyone, but where geothermal energy systems are a viable option, they can be used to help heat your home and provide a source of hot water.
Reduce Waste
As population levels increase, so does the amount of waste we produce. The vast amount of this waste will end up buried in a landfill site. Whilst this isn’t ideal for the local environment, it can also contribute towards climate change as decomposing waste gives off methane – another greenhouse gas.
Below are a few ideas on how we can reduce the level of waste we produce:
- Buy less of what you don’t need. Most of us are guilty of this – buying items we thought we would use but never actually did. When making an impulse decision to buy something, take a step back and ask yourself if you really need it.
- Donate unwanted products. If you’ve finished using something that’s still in perfectly good condition, consider donating it to a charity shop. The chances are, there will be somebody out there who could greatly benefit from something you might have just put in the trash.
- Recycle what you can. By recycling more, we can help to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill sites. This can help to reduce the levels of methane that are emitted into the atmosphere.
Eat Smarter
This is a slightly more obscure method of preventing global warming, but there are various steps we can take when buying food and drink:
- Buy local produce to help cut down on ‘food miles’. Most of the time, the food and drink items we buy at the store have traveled a great distance before they have been put on the shelf. Try to look for locally produced items or go to your local farm store who are more likely to sell local produce.
Offset Your Carbon
There are simpler ways in which we can prevent global warming. Offsetting your carbon footprint can be an effective method:
- You can plant trees and shrubs in your garden to help offset your carbon. Trees and other vegetation help to reduce the effects of global warming by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen. By planting additional trees, you are helping to offset the carbon you consume as a result of your day to day life.