51 things you can do for the environment »
Posted by: Aidenag 1 year, 4 months agoCan one person slow global warming? Actually, yes. You -- along with scientists, businesses and governments --can create paths to cut carbon emissions. Here is Time magazine's guide to some of the planet's best ideas, with an assessment of their impact and feel-good factor.
Read Full Story at time.com
Join the Discussion 
+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 83
-
43%
Eagle_Eye1 year, 4 months ago
Good Post Aidenag!
If every one took the time to make small changes and do some of the things, we could at least effect small change that would grow to a bigger difference.
I am a bit skeptical about food for fuel, all it would take is a major drought and we would be seriously screwed unless we could drink the fuel.
Reply -
0%
Amazing11 year, 4 months ago
Thank you Aidenag. Some really good suggestions there. Would like to add keeping a few chickens to the list. If you are growing a few vegetables, they help produce compost, keep the grasshopper population down and you get eggs as well.
Reply -
0%
junda1 year, 4 months ago
Thanks you.Really useful things ,for our next generation (I think 40-50 year from now ,will see the effect). But sometimes we can't do everything in the lists,not feasible.LOL.
Reply -
0%
words1 year, 4 months ago
All of us can contribute to the defeat of climate change. Here is an op/ed on 'The Local Light Bulb Project' which I started in western Maine. http://www.sunjournal.com/story/204723-3/Column...
Buildings consume 1/3 of all the energy in the US. Making them more efficient through retrofit and new construction is very doable. FMI:http:/...">http://www.sustainablewesternmaine.org">FMI:htt...
Reply -
0%
hoppy1 year, 4 months ago
Global Hoax at it again.I peronally am not prepared to pay an additional 2000,00. per year in extra taxes just so some hipocrite like Al Gore can ignore national security and plunge the country into a global castastrophe. And as for alternative fuels coming from corn, how is the fuel supply going to hold up against the crops being attacked by insects,droughts, strikes, over furtlization, farm family deaths,equipment shortages and extender maintinance,and miscalulations?
Reply-
-
0%
mrbs1 year, 4 months ago
the big lie is that we are the biggest polluters..truth be told we are the CLEANEST..or one of them. the worst are those that are exempt from kyoto.its proven the richer free counturies are better at cleaning up after themselves.its not only about saving money..its about making sure we continue to have enough money to keep cleaning up after ourselves.
Reply
-
-
100%
Redneck1 year, 4 months ago
If we planted all the farm land in the USA in corn to produce bio-diesel we could not produce more than 1/3 of the fuel used each year! Al Gore is a hypocritic using in his one house three times more energy each month than the average household uses in one year.
I am for conservation and some changes to help the environment but not at the cost proposed by the alarmists! They are not using the taxes levied on fuels as originally designated now what would they do with an additional $ 2000 per household or vehicle! They would spend it on welfare programs to garner more votes and more money!
Reply -
0%
jaesquared1 year, 4 months ago
Do you honestly believe that the Inuits are lying about not being able to survive because their huts are sinking into mud that used to be snow.
Do you honestly believe that ALL satellite data shows that the ice caps are shrinking, but it is some giant conspiracy by those who want to... what was the purpose of this "hoax" again?
I agree that ethanol is a dumb idea, but obviously not for the same reasons.
jae.squared
-is it hot in here?-
Reply
-
-
50%
hoppy1 year, 4 months ago
The Global Hoax going around is reminding me of the NAZZI party and their propaganda machine. Propaganda as you know is feeding the masses with great and wonderful promises they have no intention of keeping.By the time the Germans realized that they have been had,it was too late.
Reply -
57%
amazed1 year, 4 months ago
RE: ethanol ((Existing gas pipelines can't carry it because it corrodes iron. )) And it cuts down on the life of your engine for the same reason. It also increases the rate of deterioration of many plastics --that are also used in your engine. A small price to pay to cut down greenhouse emissions -- but wait! what is the chemical makeup of ethanol? Last time I looked, it was a hydrocarbon, just like petroleum and all other alcohols as well as just about any organic compound. Now, if I recall from high school chemistry, when you burn a hydocarbon, you get -- CO2 and H20. Oh, my gosh! Aren't these the greenhouse gases we're complaining about?
So, while I see where ethanol might reduce foreign oil dependency (a good goal) slbeit at quite a price to the consumer --increased wear and tear and repairs to automobiles and other vessels that use it -- I'm not really getting the reducing CO2 emission angle here.
Reply-
100%
amazed1 year, 4 months ago
But I guess I'm not supposed to question this settled science just blindly accept...
Reply -
0%
Natureboy1 year, 4 months ago
If you grow plants to produce fuel, they take up the carbon and 02 which combusting the fuel later releases as CO2. It is a zero sum transaction. Unless of course you are dumping huge quantities of petroleum-based fertilizer on your crops, in which case you may as well just dump the petroleum in your gas tank.
Reply-
100%
jaesquared1 year, 4 months ago
Negative. It is not a zero-sum transaction. You've been snowed. What about all the hydrocarbons going into production: Planting the crops, watering the crops, feeding the crops, harvesting the crops, transporting the crops, processing the crops, transporting the finished product. By the time you are done, you've used almost as much fuel as you create, releasing hydrocarbons all the while. Even if the plants absorbed the same amount of CO2 that they release on burning, which they don't, the excess energy used for production negates ANY positive contributions to the equation.
You are right about one thing, we might as well just use petroleum.
jae.squared
-don't forget about reduced mileage-
Reply
-
-
0%
Taganan1 year, 4 months ago
The answer is new cars and new materials. If you burn the ethanol in a forced-air burner, using the right materials for the fuel tank & fuel lines, to make steam to run an engine to power an alternator to charge the batteries that run the electric motors turning the wheels of a car, it would work. The CO2 from the burning of fuel made from plants is recycled through the growth of more plants for fuel.
The steam-electric hybrid can use any liquid or gaseous fuel with only minor changes when switching fuels. Open combustion is inherently cleaner than internal combustion, making pollution controls simpler. No matter what the fuel, it produces only 2 "pollutants", CO2 & soot. While we cannot totally replace oil with alternatives, this would allow more alternatives to be easily used.
For more info see - automotive.com - steam-electric hybrid autos or e-mail - beesidemeusa@yahoo.co.uk
Reply
-
-
0%
aceofspades11 year, 4 months ago
Isn't it strange how easily the cons accept the lies of Bush & Cheney that are responsible for the deaths of hundreds everyday, yet come out so strongly against the truths of science that is trying to save the futures of untold millions.
Reply -
100%
aceofspades11 year, 4 months ago
Worried about hydrocarbon emmissions? the answer is simple, when I was a kid I had this great Marx windup racer- turn the key a few times & off it sped. If all transports had giant windup motors there would be no emmissions & think of all the illegals who could get gainful employment turning the windup keys
Reply -
100%
amazed1 year, 4 months ago
I slogged through all 51 "suggestions". Unfortunately, they were either things that individuals can't do, ridiculously disruptive -- move to Manhattan, move to London's green zone -- or things that we already know and do.
The carbon tax is onerous and the carbon offsets are bogus. A 10% tax to reduce emssions 5% because of the increased costs of using energy? It would end up being like the "recycling tax" Connecticut used to have. Paying the tax made me no more or less likely to recycle anything because I had to pay the tax (it was on commercial entities, not individuals) whether I recycled or not.
Reply -
100%
aceofspades11 year, 4 months ago
A member named webrobotics gave my posting a negative, so I looked up webrobotics to see what his/her views were - all I saw were repeated sinks for articles contrary to neocon thinking & votes for Bush - BUT I saw no comments posted by webrobotics - this is typical of people of this mindset- too much of a coward top post their thoughts & only brave enough to hide in the shadows & snipe at those who do
Reply -
-
100%
WCFIELDS1 year, 4 months ago
"51 things you can do for the environment"
Here are some ideas published in MENSA'S "Oracle" Magazine.
Following the recent publication of my letter in The Oracle (Mensa publication) concerning the use of Tin Foil Hats for the reduction of Global Warming I have been inundated by requests for a proper pattern to create an effective hat. My research has uncovered many fine designs with two of the best websites suggested here:
http://www.people.csail.mit.edu/rahimi/helmet/ The Centurion, The Fez and The Classical; these three fine Reynolds double tin foil hats are attractive, sporty and reflect dangerous rays back into the dark reaches of space where they belong while at the same time reducing Global Warming. For best results in reducing Global Warming wear continuously from Sun-up till Sundown. The newer "Al Gore" model is not yet in production and has so far proven to be dull, lifeless and not too effective.
Reply-
100%
WCFIELDS1 year, 4 months ago
Most people are not aware that a fine, nice looking and effective tin foil hat may actually be constructed using the plans for making a Paper Hat. Simply substitute tin foil or aluminum wrap for the paper required in the instructions for a paper hat and follow the directions. That is, just use tin foil instead of paper. http://www.ehow.com/how_414_make-paper-hat.html will lead the way to your ownership of a fine pointy topped tin foil hat that you can be proud to wear anywhere.
Reply-
0%
WCFIELDS1 year, 4 months ago
Since my recent letter to The Oracle regarding a workable plan for stopping Global Warming I have received several communications expressing the inability of many to afford the purchase of an entire roll of tinfoil. Since an entire roll is not needed in each case a suggestion was made to use the foil dome left over from popping a package of that American Icon JiffyPop Popcorn. These are still available at your local Pic-n-Save store in the back on the bottom shelf. Aside from the popcorn, once popped, the JP package provides a perfectly pre-formed tin foil hat exactly the same size as your head. This trendy new hat will reflect the damaging rays of the Sun back into space when worn properly. For those of you interested in Hair Products the JP provides a weeks supply of hair oil and hair growth restorer already applied to the inside of the tin foil hat.
Join the fight on Global Warming Now.
Reply
-
-
-
67%
Zeitgeist1 year, 4 months ago
Hemp for Victory!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemp_For_Victory
Hempseed oil can be used as a fuel in a modified deisel engine...
Now get growing!
Reply -
100%
MeanMotherUSA1 year, 4 months ago
3-31-07
Global Warming Ever Happens YOU WILL ALL BE DEAD...
You'll All Die From 20 Plus Tons Space Radioactive (Floating Around Earth) Junk,Debri... Becomes Atomized Dust As It Does Not Burn Up Coming Back Thru Atmosphere-- You Are Still It Breathing Since Russia Launched 1st Sputnik 60's...
So-Called Scientists Always Aim It For Oceans,i.e. The Junk Satelites They Think They Can Control...You're Even Drinking It In Your Water...
I Cannot Stop Laughing,i.e., 3rd Grade Mentality Wreaks...
MeanMotherUSA
Reply -
0%
harriermech1 year, 4 months ago
I think this whole global warming theory is the funniest thing around. CO2 in the atmosphere is less than 1% of all green house gases. And of that 1% humans contribute less than 30% of that. Volcanoes produce more green house gases than humans have and the plant life that dies off gives off more CO2 than humans. So I think as humans we should stop the Volcanoes from erupting and cut down and kill off all the vegetation in the world.
Reply-
-
100%
harriermech1 year, 4 months ago
Well the facts about the atmosphere is basic science do an internet search on the make up of the earth's atmosphere. You will see that it is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and the other remaining 1% is all other trace gases. The information about the volcanoes and vegetation was from the video on channe4.com "the scam of global warming".
Reply
-
-
-
100%
ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 4 months ago
I am thinking of The Air Gore Toilet. You know...the one that uses only 1.6 gallons per flush. The problem is, as everyone knows...you must flush it twice to be effective. Oh my G_d...if you do this, you now use 3.2 gallons to do what a 3.0 toilet used to do. Builders of new homes were scrambling to buy USED TOILETS as they legally could no longer purchase the good ones!!!
Such is the thinking, and unintended consequences of the looney left. Oh, and by the way...everyone must be taxed to pay for all of this.
I can easily imagine an under the table market in carbon tax credits. Some scuzzy guy, who looks remarkably similar to Alec Baldwin, stands in a dirty trenchcoat in a Wall Street back alley..."Wanna buy some cheap tax-credits?"
Note to Al Gore...GET YOUR OWN HOUSE IN ORDER. Your credibility is ZIP!
Reply -
100%
shine08531 year, 4 months ago
I would like to see each state use open land, and farms to better use. If the farmers were supported, each state responsible for its own produce, depending on what can be grown during each season...just think...less trucks on the road, less flying, and less trains to deliver produce. Also, perhaps more community gardens, or instructions on how to compost, and grow your own...even on patios.
Shine0853
Son 10 years
Reply -
80%
jaesquared1 year, 4 months ago
Every time anyone says anything about global warming, some moron comes back with an insult about Al Gore. As though the idea never existed before him. Don't make him a poster child, he is just one man. A guy who has money and decided to try to do some *gasp* GOOD with it. And sure, his practices might not always agree with his propaganda, but at least he is TRYING to do SOMETHING. Alot more than most of our well off politicians. And maybe he does stand to profit from it, but I'd that than see companies profiting from the blood of civilians and military personell.
I am dissappointed in TIME magazine for representing ethanol to be some kind of magic bullet when research suggests that it barely replaces the energy used to create it. After one factors in the reduced efficiency, the result can actually be a net loss. Furthermore, it is still a hydrocarbon based fuel. Nothing more than a pretty new face for a tired old model.
jea.squared
-reduce, reuse, and REPLACE COMBUSTION-
Reply-
0%
1robert0271 year, 4 months ago
no insult, just say your right and we're wrong, end of conv. sigh...
Reply -
67%
mrbs1 year, 4 months ago
the only trying he is doing is to take away my suburan so he can drive around in his and say look at the insects
Reply -
0%
ONEMEMPHISDUDE1 year, 4 months ago
Al Gore insults himself well enough without help, you are correct. The man has deliberately made HIMSELF the poster child of The environmentalist left. Remember that little, boring, pseudo scientific, academy award nominated movie? Well, I'll admit it was forgettable. Yes, the man is trying to do something. Problem is, it's that he is trying to become President. Perish the thought!
You are correct about Ethanol. All the farmers are cheering, (price of corn has gone thru the roof). Who cares that it waste more energy than it produces? The fact is, it makes us FEEL GOOD about ourselves doing something for Mother Earth. Whata crock!
Reply -
0%
goodgrief1 year, 4 months ago
Gore gets attacked, because he's making money off "global warming", not just because he's a hypocrite. He co-owns the company collecting the carbon offset payments.
Reply
-
-
0%
bgibbs071 year, 4 months ago
I do not believe in Global Warming, and I believe that it will take the same disappearing act that Global Cooling did 40 years ago. However, I see no problem with(some) of these suggestions, and helping the enviroment is never a bad thing.
Reply -
100%
silvera1 year, 4 months ago
Daily you can read articles from all over the planet on how seriously global warming is effecting or will effect our lives. Glaciers melting, species going extinct, tropical diseases being where they don't belong, etc., etc. A recent report from several thousand actual scientists concluded that it's real and it's here and humans are big contributors. Scientists from all over the planet. PhD's, Nobel luareates, individuals who have devoted their lives to the study of SCIENCE. Here's an article that presents a few ways we might actually do something positive to mitigate the situation and the right wing, flat earth noise machine comes out of the woodwork. "Gore has to flush his toilet twice" or "he lives in a big house". Therefore (by their logic) global warming must be a big hoax perpetuated by liberal conspirators throughout the world. These people have to be on Bush's antiscience payroll. I can't think of any other explanation for such blatant stupidity.
Reply-
100%
harriermech1 year, 4 months ago
So what you are saying is that the earth has never once in its millions of year of existence ever changed. The earth never has cycles of ice ages, or heat ages. The earth has stayed the same since day one until about 150 years ago. It doesn't make sense that what is happing to the world is just a normal cycle.
Reply
-
-
100%
amazed1 year, 4 months ago
RE: Al Gore((And sure, his practices might not always agree with his propaganda, but at least he is TRYING to do SOMETHING.))
No, actually, HE's not trying to do ANYTHING. He's trying to get the REST of us to do LOTS of STUFF, while he continues on his merry way, but it's all good because he's buying carbon credits.
Puh-leeze.
Reply
Submitted By:
Aidenag
Photographer by day, news junkie by night. My main areas of interest are politics and the environment. If you have any questions, problems, or suggestions ...
Also submitted:
- 1.0 - A Few Speculators Dominate Vast Market for Oil Trading
- 1.0 - Agrobacterium&Morgellons Disease, A GM Connection?
- 1.0 - Palin aide put on leave in firing flap
- 1.0 - McCain Flip Flops On Abortion Pledge
Related Articles:
Why not submit a story?
Also Propping This Article
Groups Watching This
No groups are watching this story. Why not share it with your group?
