Can you reduce global warming?

There is a Hungarian saying (Egy fecske nem csinál nyarat.), which translated word by word would go like this: One swallow doesn't mean the summer is here. What it means is that one person alone is too little to change things. However, I always thought that it was an untrue statement. No matter how small the change we can accomplish by doing something differently, it is still a change, and it might encourage others to follow our example. One of my very favourite quotes is by Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Might be a tad bit overused today, but still rings so true to me.

When it comes to global warming, of course that you or I alone will not reverse it. However, we can do things that will at least not make it worse, and hopefully eventually will make it better. I found a nice article today which gives you the 'Top 10 Things You Can Do to Reduce Global Warming'.

I'll list the ten things here and I give you my take on each (I encourage you read the original article, though, as the author points out different aspects!):

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
   I really think that this is the bare minimum - goes without saying in my world.
2. Use Less Heat and Air Conditioning
   A couple of years ago my husband, Marius, had an inspection done on our house to check how energy efficient it is. An inspector came and did the initial check, then gave us some suggestions on how to improve. We did most of the things on the list (like insulating the walls between the upper bedrooms and the attic, and installing weather stripping around doors and caulking around windows. We also installed a brand new high efficiency furnace. Once all we wanted to do was done, the inspector came back and did the reading again. He said that we achieved the best we could with this house. The government sent us a cheque for almost $900, plus we even got a $200 rebate on the furnace. It was a really nice program, not sure if it's still running, but I'm sure there are several like this out there.

   Another thing we did was installing a programmable thermostat in the house. It made a difference in our energy bill, and a huge difference in our conscience. (it makes no sense to heat up the house at 6am on a Saturday morning, when we won't get up before 8 or later...)

   While at it: having multiple fridges in the house is another guilt some people have to deal with (I sure do). We have only one fridge, but also have a water machine that provides cold water (it's basically a fridge) and hot water. We make sure to unplug the whole thing during the winter, when room temperature water is just fine instead of ice cold (plus when we go away on vacation).

   My husband bought a gadget which upon plugged in the outlet, just before an electrical equipment, will measure how much energy it consumes, even when not in use (like the phone, different chargers, etc.) I'm still waiting to hear the report from him, but it probably will mean that we will start unplugging everything that is not in use pretty soon....Not the phone of course, although it would be nice sometimes ;-)

3. Change a light bulb
   We changed every single light bulb that is in our house. I can't say that I love them everywhere, as I find the energy efficient ones a bit too 'sharp' at certain areas, but hey, I learned to live with it.
4. Drive less, drive smart
   Fortunately we don't drive too much, as I work mainly from home and Marius takes the bus to work. We need only one car, but what we have is a van - which makes me feel guilty enough. There is a story to that: last spring, our son was almost three, and I have been thinking that maybe we should get rid of the van, and buy a hybrid car, so we would be less harsh on the environment. Well known that a van is REALLY nice when you have kids, as it's easier to put the kids in the car seats, plus the stroller fits better, etc. Long story short, a few weeks later we realized that I was pregnant, so we decided to stick with the van until our daughter will be a little bigger. The good thing about it is that hopefully by then the hybrid technology will be even better.
5. Buy Energy-Efficient Products
   Whenever we buy a new equipment, we aim for the most energy efficient. However, there is a flip side to that. What I came to realize is that (although I'd love to have a new fridge and a new stove, which would be better for the environment) throwing out the old ones in order to buy brand new energy efficient ones might be worse for the environment than just sticking with the old ones for a bit longer. We decided to use the older appliances for a few more years.

   Another point I'd like to make when choosing things to buy is the amount of packaging they come with. It's just unreal. It's greatly visible when your four-year old has a birthday party - the amount of paper and plastic garbage we produce that week is embarrassing. However, I must say proudly that the rest of the year we have half the amount of garbage than our neighbours. We buy things that are not pre-packaged so much - we cook from scratch, that has a lot to do with it.

6. Use Less Hot Water
   Now that's a tricky one. As I love showers - a lot. Being teased about it often. I used to say that that is my only addiction - I don't smoke, don't drink coffee, don't drink alchohol (OK, I love desserts, but hey). However, life found a solution for my addiction: I have two kids ;-) I still take a lot of showers, but MUCH shorter ones. Hence saving hot water :-)
7. Use the "Off" Switch
   OK. This is a good one. For some reason I was always good at turning the lights off. Must come from my mom who made us do that from my childhood. However, Marius is famous about leaving every single light on wherever he goes in the house. His mom has been telling him since he was a child that he behaves as if he was born with a butler (which, to my greatest regret, is not true). However, he is learning. My son and I keep reminding him. I am amazed how much our son is like me. You would think it's a drag for kids (and for some I'm sure it is), but not for him: if somebody forgets to turn a light off, he'll do it.
8. Plant a Tree
   Just find any occasion for that. We planted one (an evergreen Magnolia tree) when our son was born. We lived in a different house then, and moved to this one when he was about 10 months old. My Dad made a point of digging the tree up and re-planting it here. I'm so grateful for him for that. We still haven't planted one for our daughter, but it's certainly in our plans.
9. Get a Report Card from Your Utility Company
   This is what I was talking about above...The author of the article gives a link to the current options.
10. Encourage Others to Conserve
    That is so important. Most important to me to teach our kids to follow our examples (not that they have a choice). When I ask my son to put something in the garbage, he sometimes still asks: "Which garbage?", but more and more often makes the distinction between what goes in the paper, plastic, or general garbage. I'm quite proud of that.

    Share the word and share your experience. Spread the knowledge. Your friends will listen. Some right away, some eventually. Don't ever give up!