In the late 1970’s, when the rest of the world’s scientists and political leaders were fast asleep to the ensuing issue of global warming- James E. Hansen was wide awake and publicizing his alarming scientific findings. Dr. Hansen is the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies and one of the countries foremost climate scientists. He became alarmed of Global Warming when he started playing around with his top of the line computer simulation of the earth’s atmosphere. As he added CO2 to the earth’s atmosphere, the temperature went up- way up, and Hansen realized that we might have a very serious ensuing environmental catastrophe on our hands. However the then current Reagan administration wanted to hear nothing of it and quickly began fighting his findings with everything from funding cuts to hiring scientific skeptics of their own. Hansen is not easily bullied however and has continued ever since to share his findings to anyone and everyone who would listen.
Hansen has been heralded as a hero of the environmentalism for his insistence on publicizing the implications of his data findings despite recent pressure from NASA and the White House to muzzle his statements. He unabashedly calls for the need to reduce greenhouse gas to an anyone who would listen. And more and more people are starting to pay attention to Hansen’s warnings. After giving a speech last December, Hansen started to receive phone calls from government officials instructing him to pipe down his rhetoric on the perils of global warming. Rather than backing down under pressure, Hansen fought back and has started a campaign to not only spread his findings on global warming but share his experiences with government bullying attempting to revise his message. He has stated “I think its chilling, because a democracy requires that the public be well informed. And I think that what’s happened over the past few years (regarding the lack of well informed public discourse on global warming which he attributes partly to the editing of scientific knowledge by the US government and other powerful stakeholders) is unprecedented in the United State’s History. Cheers to someone standing up for what is right. Isn’t that after all what democracy is all about?
Individuals can help reduce global warming. Although some actions may cause only a small impact, collectively they add up. Many of these options save money in the long run and have other environmental benefits such as reducing air pollution and resource consumption.
- Drive less, walk, bike, take public transportation, or buy vehicles that burn fewer amounts of gas or uses bio-diesel fuel. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 20 lbs for each gallon of gasoline saved.
- Plant trees to shade your house during the summer, and paint your house a light color if you live in a warm climate or a dark color in a cold climate. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 5,000 lbs.
- Replace old appliances with new, energy-efficient models. Average annual CO2 reduction for the most efficient refrigerator, for instance: about 3,000 lbs.
- Insulate your house and seal all drafts, enhancing the efficiency of the heat. Average annual CO2 reduction: 1000 lbs
- Produce less waste. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 1,000 lbs for 25 percent less garbage.
- Replace standard light bulbs with long-lasting compact fluorescent ones. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 500 lbs for every bulb.
- Wash laundry in warm or cold water, not hot. Average annual CO2 reduction: about 500 lbs for two loads per week.
- Buy renewable energy from your local utility if possible. Potential annual CO2 reduction: about 30,000 lbs.
Also, each of us can conserve much of the water we use and avoid water pollution. Water is vital for human race existence and benefits of drinking water are countless & irreplaceable. For that reason we should be cautious how we use water. This can be achieved in many simple ways and following the next advises:
- Don’t flush every time you use the toilet. Take shorter showers; don’t wash your car so often.
- Don’t let the faucet run while washing hands, dishes, food, or brushing your teeth.
- Dispose of used motor oil, household hazardous waste, batteries, etc., responsibly. Don’t dump anything down a storm sewer that you wouldn’t want to drink.
- Avoid using toxic or hazardous chemicals for simple cleaning or plumbing jobs. Hot water and soap will clean brushes more safely than organic solvents.
- Water your grass and garden at night, not in the middle of the day. Consider planting native plants, low-maintenance ground cover, a rock garden or some other xeriphytic landscaping.
- Use water conservation appliances.
- Use recycled water for house plants, car washing.
- Check your toilet for leaks. A leaky toilet can waste 50 gallons per day. Add a few drops of dark food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes. If the tank is leaking, the water in the bowl will change color.
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