Real Estate Innovation

Stop Global Warming and Save Your Life!

Our main concern at the moment friends is not those ever increasing gas fuel costs but the virtually irreversible changes in the environment due to our carbon footprint being left on this planet which is causing global warming. We may be different in many respects but when the effects start to be felt, we will all come under attack from a new enemy. A large number of cases of life threatening conditions such as skin cancer, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases into the millions will be the result of 40 years of global warming.

You really need to pay a lot more attention to what your own carbon footprint output is in both the negative and positive aspects, as your changes will really help to reverse the current environment conditions. By only planting one dam tree you can make a difference by offsetting nearly 750 kg of carbon, but on the other hand if you take a plane from Washington to Boston you will put 720 kg of carbon back into the environment, so in effect you need to plant at least one tree for every trip.

On average, each American citizen is responsible for almost 22 tons of carbon dioxide per year, far in excess of the world’s average of just 6 tons per person. And while I’m not suggesting you bicycle to your next business trip, there are a number of ways you can dramatically cut your carbon footprint: -

Tip #1: Buying local. Everything we purchase as a consumer will have it’s own carbon footprint attached to it. You see, you have to remember that almost everything needs to be transported over long distances which needs energy and lots of it to reach it’s final destiny. I came over some interesting statistics the other day that showed that on average it takes almost 1500 miles for fruit and vegetables to get from the farm to the fridge. As you can see this is a complete waste of energy resources and that it would be much easier for everyone to buy produce locally.

Tip #2: Dress appropriately. Adjusting the thermostat down 2 degrees down when it’s cold and 2 degrees up when it’s warm will help the average family eliminate 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year, not to mention save a bunch of money. Wear a sweater or take off your shirt if you are uncomfortable. Remember, it’s the planet we are talking about here.

Tip #3: New for old: I don’t know whether you have seen those new energy-efficient CFL light bulbs that you can buy nowadays. Well they do cost a bit more than normal light bulbs and changing only 3 would result in energy savings per American home of $60 per year and as a planet this would result in a trillion pounds of CO2 not being emitted into the atmosphere. You should also try and upgrade appliances and computers to Energy Star rated machines, and remember to turn off the lights as you leave a room.

Tip #4: Keep it clean. A poorly maintained car can add to global warming 500% more than a normal vehicle, and it costs money too. Keep air and fuel filters clean, replace fouled spark plugs and injectors, and get regular tune ups. And shop locally when you do drive, not at a discount store 50 miles away.

Tip #5: Improve gas mileage. Drive a hybrid car or install an alternative energy booster like water fuel or HHO gas technology in your existing car. You will see mileage increases of up to 40%, and cut your carbon footprint in half.

If we start now, it will be a much better world for all of our children and grandchildren. Everybody on this planet is equally responsible to stop this destruction and if nothing is done, it will all just end in tears.