Climate Change

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Climate Change

Like many other people you may feel helpless to do anything about climate change. But your contribution to saving the planet, no matter how small, is hugely important. Here are 12 simple things you can do help counter climate change. You may not be able to all of them right now, but even if you adopt 2 or 3 suggestions, you will be helping significantly.

1) Use efficient lighting

Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs). These use four times less energy and last eight times longer.

2) Use energy efficient electric appliances

They use two to 10 times less electricity for the same functionality, and are mostly higher quality products that last longer than the less efficient ones. In short, efficient appliances save you lots of energy and money.

3) Use an energy efficient computer

Buy a laptop instead of a desktop. It consumes five times less electricity. If you buy a desktop, get an LCD screen.

4) Drive less

Walk, bike, carpool or take public transport. You’ll save 1.5 kg of carbon dioxide for every 5 km you don’t drive.

5) Check your tyres

Keeping your tyres inflated properly can improve the fuel efficiency of your car.

6) Use water carefully

Don’t waste water. Use a mug of water when brushing your teeth, shaving or washing your hand and face. Instead of a shower or tub bath, use a bucket. Try to harvest rain water in your locality.

7) Say no to plastic

Take a cloth bag with you when shopping. Avoid products with a lot of packaging.

8) Move your Air-conditioning thermostat up 2 degree C

You could save about 900 kg of carbon dioxide a year with this simple adjustment.

9) Use a renewable energy

Sunlight can be used in many different ways to save energy. Use a solar water heater instead of an electric geyser. If you live in a village, you can use biogas from cow-dung to save energy.

10) Plant more trees

A single tree will absorb one tonne of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.

11) Turn off electronic devices

Simply turning off your television, stereo, computer, fans, lights when you are not using them will save you thousands of kilograms of carbon dioxide a year.

12) Reuse and recyle

Recycling and re-using products like paper and bottles will help protect the environment. Use recycled paper.

Source: UNDP