How Have you contributed to saving the planet in the struggle against Global Warming?

I cant say that I have made a start yet but Its been on my mind a lot because of the media coveage on the topic as well as the obvious change in weather patterns we are experiencing.



Well last week I planted 2 rose trees in my garden but I hardly think it was enough.

How Have you contributed to saving the planet in the struggle against Global Warming?
I don't consider that I have done anything,because I consider this as a lifestyle and not a "save the planet" thing.Recycle,reuse,redo that can apply to most anything you can buy.So it all lasts much longer and is more usable keeping your garbage down.However as lots more of us do that prices will go up even more because less is being bought,there are no easy answers anymore,we each just have to figure out whats works best and stick with it.And still keep some level of comfort,with me its not about owning things but to have some comfort in my home,without waste as much as possible.I don't like the new light bulbs they will have to get much better before I do them completely.Its not saving money if every light in the room on just to read a book.Congratulations on the roses,the bees love them(we need the bees)they will be beautiful,your enjoyment,and every little thing helps.Bless you.
Reply:Open curtains and use sunlight whenever possible to save energy.



Use compact fluorescent lights in all fixtures and dispose of them properly (i.e. not in the landfill).



Make sure that your house is insulated efficiently.



Turn down the air in the summer, wear less clothes, spend more time in a naturally thermally regulated area like a basement if you have one. Same for the winter...wear more clothes and use less of your heater.



Use less gasoline...ride a bike or walk more.



Educate your children and your community to do the same.



These are just a few things that I can think of off the top of my head that I try to adhere to everyday.



Good luck...
Reply:I got a car with better gas mileage and I don't set my AC at home quite as low. The problem is...I am having a damn hard time stopping the Earth from it's decaying orbit around the Sun. If I could just do that I could solve this global warming thing!
Reply:Yes - Have a look at my following effort and U-SEE all of us can do this and contribute even at micro levels. Get free light for life:

U-SEE - We must save the world from over-exploitation of natural resources

Knowingly or unknowingly we are all partners in misusing of costly electricity for our lighting purpose during day time when the solar light is available just outside our windows. Why can't bring home the sunshine?

Yes. This has been successfully adopted by a number of people in Bangalore, India. This innovative but simple method of bringing home the sunshine was suggested to the World Bank as a Grassroots Initiative for Preservation of Natural Resourcs during IDM-2007 competition - Project U-SEE (Unlimited Savings of Electrical Energy). U-SEE does not involve any nano technology nor does it requires billions of dollars for implementation. Moreover, U-SEE you get free lighting for life. No charges.

The World Bank honored this initiative and has created a permanent blog on the World Bank URL at http://dmblog.worldbank.org/mirrors-can-...

How is it implemented? U need a house hold mirror of 12"X18" and a pillow. Identify where u can get maximum sunshine just outside the windows with clear glass or on the balcony, keep the pillow on a stool or chair and place the mirror on the pillow, go on nudging the mirror till the solar light is deflected from the mirror, through the window and on to the white ceiling inside your home. U will be surprised to find the light spreading from the ceiling - it can be 40 to 60 watts (see the picture above - notice tube light and table lamp in the corner are not burning but there is enough light). If u can keep a bigger mirror, u will get more bright light. U can control the light just by covering a portion of the mirror.

Earth moves on its latitude. When u find that the deflected solar light is moving elsewhere, just go to the mirror, nudge a little and u can get back your light as before. THIS IS THE BASIC IDEA and once u have done it, u be the Innovator of your light requirements for your home and U-SEE PROVIDES YOU FREE LIGHTING FOR LIFE. Many homes/huts in rural areas in developing countries do not have proper lighting and people are living in dark, damp and dingy environs but urbanites living in concrete jungles in cities with tinted glasses are misusing electricity for their lighting purpose even during day time.

U-SEE the Benefits: ONE incandescent bulb/tubelight burning for 6 hours during day time consumes 7 units of electricity in a month. If half the world can adopt U-SEE and switch off one bulb for 6 hours during day time, how much of electricity can be saved? Your guess is as good as mine + saves cost of fossil fuels, coal, water+saves cost incurred for machineries and equipments+saves overhead charges+saves transmission loss charges+saves the world from global warming (burning bulbs/CO2 etc) with n'th value+ U GET FREE LIGHTING FOR LIFE with n'th value. The savings that accrue can off set the load on our productive requirements like A/c, refrigerators, mixies, fans etc.

Solar light will be available at least for about 200 days in a year and it is infinite and why should we let it go waste? We are not harnessing this infinite energy. U-SEE is ssoo simple.

First adopt this method, innovate solutions if u face small problems. U be the winner. U-SEE It is a win win situation for all of us. Need clarifications, mail: vkumar_m@yahoo.com U-SEE - The author's ambition is to spread this friendly initiative to one and all. No charges!!

Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Bangalore, India
Reply:I bought carbon credits from myself and got the word out about globel warming
Reply:your ideas about planting is good for our environment...
Reply:Recycle plastics, glass, paper, aluminum cans, etc. for starters. It takes less energy if it's recycled.



Start thinking green. Get more live potted plants if you work in a building especially if it's air conditioned. It would be wise to also have a few in your home. After reading NASA's Clean Air Plant Study, I'm getting at least one plant in each room.



I've started to give away live potted plants to friends who work in office buildings and I explain that plants are the only thing making oxygen for them to stay healthy. Plants also remove many harmful gases that might be present.
Reply:Don't listen to extremists in the media. Global warming isn't nearly a big a threat as it's made out to be.



Planting trees is a good idea for the environment and roses are especially beautiful, good for you!