Global Warming, like many of our world’s problems, seems so massive most people feel powerless to impact it. But you are not powerless.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources if we fail to curb our greenhouse gas emissions on average, by the end of this century, temperatures are expected to be 3 to 6 C warmer in winter and 4 to 8 C warmer in summer in our area. This kind of temperature shift in such a short time frame is unprecedented in earth’s history.

We have all heard the devastating effects this will cause worldwide.

The good news is this doesn’t have to happen. We know what needs to be done to combat global warming. We just have to start doing it.

Some of the things I’m going to tell you sound so simple you might think they can’t possibly have an impact on something so big but they can. The impact of millions of people doing dozens of things differently will bring us a better future.

• Consume less of everything.
• Buy differently. Buy less. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Compost.
• Choose Energy Star appliances. Get rid of the old inefficient basement fridge or freezer.
• Choose compact florescent lighting.* Try not to turn lights on during daylight hours.
• When you select your next car, make good gas mileage the key factor. Take a look at the hyrbrid vehicles that save on gas AND emissions. Bike more.
  
• Walk more. Use public transit. Car pool. Reduce the number of plane trips you take. The airline industry produces an enormous amount of greenhouse gases.
• Improving energy efficiency is the fastest and cheapest way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Get an energy audit done on your home and then follow the guidelines to make your home as fuel-efficient as possible. Don’t leave doors and windows to your home or business open when the heat or air conditioning is on. Space heating and cooling accounts for 22% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
• Use less electricity. Unplug any TV VCR, computer etc that you are not using. Even at rest they are consuming 25% of the power they use when they’re on. Put them on a power bar to make turning them completely off easier.
• Plant deciduous trees on the south side of your house and coniferous trees on the north side. The deciduous trees will shade your house and keep it cool during summer months while allowing the sun in to warm it in winter while the coniferous trees will cut down the chilling effects of winter winds. Close your curtains on the south side to block heat on warm sunny days and keep them open on cold ones. Try not to turn on your air conditioning. Buy a programmable theromostat that will lower your home’s temperature during winter days when you are out and at night when you are tucked under your quilts. By green energy from companies like Bullfrog Power (www.bullfrogpower.com).
• Plant trees in your community (www.groundbreakeroakville.com).
• Buy organic foods produced by local farmers and cooperatives. This saves transportation costs, helps preserve farmland and supports sustainable agriculture. Visit the Kerr Street local organic farmer’s market through the late spring, summer and early fall. Buy local organically grown food sold at local supermarkets. Buy organic foods at the supermarket. Buy food in season. Start growing some of your own food.
• Reduce your water usage. Wrap your water heater with insulation. Think about installing a solar pool heater and solar hot water heating system. Disconnect downspouts. Install rain barrels.
• Wash your clothes in cold water ­‑ 92 per cent of the energy used to wash clothes is to heat water. When possible, hang clothes to dry.
• Use a push mower.

Decide to make a difference.

We can choose to change course. We can create a better future.

For more information go to:

http://www.sierraclub.org/twopercent/

http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/tenthings/

http://groundbreakersoakville.com

*Compact fluorescents contain small amounts of mercury so they must be disposed of with hazardous waste.