We know that:
- The temperatures might go up (or down) somewhere.
- The sea might rise (or fall) somewhere.
So, what's changed then? Why the fuss all of a sudden?
Could it be to preserve the status quo - Do the economies that are on the way down (The US and it's side kick UK, and Europe) want to try to hold the emerging economies back (Russia and China).
Additionally, governments can't legislate about what really matters, they would become unpopular with the general population and the measures would stifle economies. If your government legislated to stop you using light and heating, they wouldn't be in power long, would they? Similarly, they would become very unpopular if they stopped companies producing the goods you wanted (not needed)
In the west we seem to think its OK to suddenly tell other countries not to run cars or pollute, when we have been doing just that for generations, without a thought for the consequences. We've made small gestures as long as it didn't cost very much or upset too many people.
We (in the west) can't "fix" global warming, not least because we're not in charge! The only thing we can sensibly do is make sure that we leave the earth in a fit state for the next generation. With that in mind, what can we do? Very simply, we can take control of our own individual impact on the environment: It won't stop global warming (it won't stop other people or countries doing the "wrong" thing) but YOU will leave the earth more habitable than if you do nothing. Don't shirk your responsibility, don't leave it to governments!
Don't use your economic situation as an excuse to do nothing, many small changes to your life style will save you money and make you healthier!
What can YOU do?
Don't use mercury filled flourecent bulbs (the ones that carry government health warnings on the box because mercury is a cumulative toxic metal). These bulbs are not environmentally friendly. I would like to know which government official got paid to get laws passed to stop us using simple safe metal and glass tungsten (bulbs which are easily disposable) in favour of these new health hazards.
don't buy plastic, food in plastic, plastic toys, plastic household gadgets, there are usually alternatives to plastic items. Incidentally, I save a fortune not buying plastic, if there is no alternative to the plastic item, I just don't buy it!
Eat proper food, fresh meat and vegetables are cheaper than processed and packaged foods, they are cheaper to produce and transport too. We don't need meat in the quantities we eat, I make a chicken last three meals (plus some soup) for three adults. Processed food can be full of chemical none food items that are by products of other industries that are put in to make the food cheaper to produce not because they are good for you - learn to cook, it will save you a packet!
Fire alarms; radio active fire alarms that are handed out to the general population with no plan for disposal other than to throw them in the local landfill. There are reasonably priced alternatives which are very popular and widely available in the US if you must have fire alarms. My mother lets the fire men in every two or three years and they coerce her into letting them fit a new fire alarm, as soon as they have gone she throws it in the bin, because "it goes off when shes cooking" - how wasteful is that. She's eighty eight and says she's never needed one before.
Most makeup products; these totally unnecessary products are a hugely responsible for pollution, vast polluting petro chemical industries rely on (mainly women) plastering themselves in oil based products for vanity. This goes for deoderents, soaps, detergents, air fresheners, you don't need them all, you don't need as many as you use. They are mostly cons anyway, why would you want to pollute your air (and everyone else's air) with a bunch of chemicals when you can open a window for some fresh air?
We get told frequently that electricity is too expensive but it's not so expensive that people switch it off ! And, do we really need street lights everywhere. In my area, I hardly see a pedestrian, yet the lights are so numerous they keep me awake at night
We are spoiled and greedy in the UK, is it OK to heat whole houses with central heating in winter and summer when only one or two rooms are in use. My family and I have lived all our lives in unheated houses, it's more healthy too even the ninety year old puts a coat on in doors. Traditional central heating systems use fuel all the time, in the form of pilot lights and timers, consider switching it off through the summer.
Modern housing is hard to heat and the newest houses are said to have a life span of only 35 to 50 years, this has got to be the most un environmental friendly situation. The government encourages and supports the companies responsible for the new housing and pats them on the back with knighthoods. We don't need to build new houses, we need to re use old houses.
I would say buy local and seasonal, but British food is such poor quality and disease ridden, BSE,scrapy, foot and mouth, swine flu etc.
If you want to add to this list, post me!
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