The fight against fossil fuel have not yet end, it is true that out respective national and global leaders have come together and had talk, negotiate, and agreed together on actions individual country will contribute in order to wipe out fossil fuel and other actions that will bring about a change in our current climate issues in our world which we all knows will not take just a day to do, i.e. it will take time, serious commitment and focus for them to delivered their proposed climate actions, for the possible achievement of reducing global sea level to 1.5?c.
As we all are awaiting our leaders to deliver their commitments and plans for climate change, this is the very best time for us to show our support for the just concluded COP21 and the finalized agreement and plan actions, and the only way to show support is through our individual contributions or roles for a nonstop and continuous fight against climate change impacts and fossil fuel etc.
Here are some important roles every individual living on planet – earth must play at home or office in order fight off climate change effects such as air pollution, floods, drought and gas emissions are listed below.
A) Reduce, reuse, and recycle
Reducing, reusing, and recycling in our homes helps conserve energy and reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and disposal. And we should support the recycling program or projects in my community by recycling your newspapers, beverage containers, paper, and other goods.
Also, by composting our food and yard waste in order to reduces the amount of garbage that they send to landfills.
B). Use water efficiently
It takes lots of energy to pump, treat, and heat water, so saving water reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
More than three percent of developed nations energy is used to pump and treat water so conserving water conserves energy that reduces greenhouse gas pollution. It is good to reduce the amount of waste we generate and the water we consume whenever possible.
We are to pursue simple water-saving actions such as not letting the water run while shaving or brushing teeth and it?s save money while conserving water by using products tested for and with water conservation label.
Repair all toilet and faucet leaks right away. Be smart when irrigating our lawn or landscape, only exalt amount of water when needed, and do it during the coolest part of the day; early morning is best.
C).Heat and cool smartly
Our heating and cooling accounts for almost half of energy bill–about $4000a year. And there is a lot we can do to drive down this cost.
We are to take simple steps like changing air filters regularly, properly using a programmable thermostat, and having their heating and cooling equipment maintained annually by a licensed contractor or technician can save energy and increase comfort, while helping to protect the environment. Depending on where we live, can cut our annual energy bill by up to $2000; also by replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with tested and energy qualified equipment.
D). Seal and insulate our home
Reduce air leaks and stop drafts by using caulk, weather stripping, and insulation to seal your home?s envelope and add more insulation to your attic to block out heat and cold. A knowledgeable home owner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs and significantly enhance home comfort with comprehensive sealing and insulating measures.
E). Purchase green power
We should power our homes by purchasing green power. Green power is environmentally friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun.
There are two ways we can use green power:
We can buy green power, or can modify our house to generate our own green power.
Buying green power is easy and it offers a number of environmental and economic benefits over conventional electricity, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, and it helps increase clean energy supply. There are number of steps we can take to create a greener home , including installing solar panels and researching incentives for renewable energy in our communities.
F). Calculate our household?s carbon footprint
In order to know the level of climate pollution in our home and environment we are to use carbon footprint calculator devices such as EPA?s Household Carbon Footprint Calculator to estimate our household and environmental greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy use, transportation, and waste disposal. This tool will help us understand where your emissions come from and identify ways to reduce them.
G). Spread the word
We should also tell family and friends that energy efficiency is good for their homes and good for their environment because it lowers greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. And it will be very good to share to about five people the roles and ideas we had just learn so that together we can help our homes, community and country become greener to our desires.
We can also play most of these roles in our different offices, school etc and also share it with coworkers, fellow students or teachers etc.
We also have some important roles we should play before driving or when driving, for our cars emissions is a major air polluter and it is the responsibilities of every individual to address and tackle this issue by taking these simple steps.
1. We should buy smart
Purchase a fuel-efficient, low-greenhouse gas vehicle when shopping for a new or used vehicle (or even renting a vehicle), we should choose the cleanest, most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets our needs. With a wide range of clean, fuel-efficient vehicles available today, it?s easier than ever to go green—for the environment, and for your wallet.
2. Drive smart
To improve your fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, go easy on the brakes and gas pedal, avoid hard accelerations, reduce your time spent idling (no more than 30 seconds), and unload unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. If you have a removable roof rack and you are not using it, take it off to improve your fuel economy. Use cruise control if you have it, and for vehicles with selectable four-wheel drive, consider operating in two-wheel drive mode when road conditions make it safe to do so.
3. Remember maintenance?
Get regular tune-ups, follow the manufacturer?s maintenance schedule (which can be found in your owner?s manual), and use the recommended grade of motor oil. A well-maintained car is more fuel-efficient, produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, is more reliable, and is safer!.
4. ? and don?t forget your tires!
Check our tire pressure regularly. Under-inflation increases tire wear, reduces your fuel economy, and leads to higher greenhouse gas and other air pollutant emissions. If you don?t know the correct tire pressure for your vehicle, you can find it listed on the door to your vehicle?s glove compartment, or on the driver?s-side door pillar.
And when it?s time for new tires, consider purchasing tires with ?low rolling resistance,? an energy-saving feature.
5. Give your car a break
Use public transportation, carpool, bike and walk whenever possible; Leaving your car at home just two days a week can reduce your greenhouse gas emissions by an average of two tons per year.
Also consider telecommuting (working from home via phone or the Internet), which can reduce the stress of commuting, reduce harmful emissions, and save you money. And when driving, try combining your errands and activities into one trip.
Imagine when everyone participate in these simple and important roles not leaving our climate change issues to our leaders alone; our dear planet-Earth will become more greener and a better place for us to live in .
A #Call4Climate Article Written by
Victor Eke Mba
A Writer, Climate and Environmental Activist.