How to Most Cost Effectively Help Slow Global Warming

This article will give you some ideas for the most cost-effective ways that you can save energy, and thus reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, at home, at work, or anywhere.

STEPS

1. Reduce the amount of energy that is used in heating or cooling the buildings you use. Consider switching your energy supplier to one that produces energy via non greenhouse-gas emitting methods.

2. Use solar energy if you are intending to increase your heating capacity. Solar energy is an upfront cost but in the long-run it will save you a great deal of money.

3. Bring down the temperatures. At home, this is as simple as adjusting your thermostat by a few degrees, down in winter, and up in summer. Most people can adjust to being comfortable at a temperature as low as 62 degrees F. (17 degrees C.) in the winter, and as warm as 78 degrees F. (26 degrees C.) in the summer--given appropriate clothing. At work or at school, unless you are responsible for the temperature setting, you'll need to try a little harder--working with others to convince the person in charge that it is the right thing to do.

4. Take advantage of the natural heat of the sun by opening blinds and shutters when it is available. Use adobe building techniques to make the most of the temperature differentiations to heat and cool a home.

5. Shut windows as soon as the outside temperature exceeds the temperature range you are comfortable with; up or down.

6. In hot weather close shutters and curtains to prevent sunlight entering.

7. Use the heat collected under your roof whenever it is available. This is accomplished automatically using the wikiHow To Use Your Roof As A Space Heater. Your roof has enormous potential to reduce your heating costs for very little investment or D.Y.I. effort.

8. Above all else, VOTE. Hold your elected officials accountable.

TIPS

• Adjusting your clothing is important in being comfortable at the ends of the comfort zone. Flannel shirts and sweaters were made to help retain your natural body warmth--so wear them! Also, you'll find that adjusting the thermostat by a degree or two per week is much easier than going 'cold turkey' with a 10 degree change all at once. Bonus: you'll actually feel more comfortable when moving from indoors to outdoors when the temperature difference is not so great between the two!

WARNINGS

• One note of caution: The very young, the very old, and those who are ill, may not tolerate the ends of the comfort zone well. Be sure to take individual circumstances into account before you act, and consult trusted others for advice if needed.

SOURCES AND CITATIONS

• Wiki About Global Warming Topics