Though this warming trend has been going on for a long time, its pace has significantly increased in the last hundred years due to the burning of fossil fuels. Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. Priority no. Global warming is a phenomenon of climate change characterized by a general increase in average temperatures of the Earth, which modifies the weather balances and ecosystems for a long time. LED lightbulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescents. Sometimes it can help to talk to people about climate change on a scale they can understand. Unfortunately, the modern global economy heavily relies on carbon-based fuels. And despite this reckless move, American mayors, state leaders, county officials, governors, major companies, and millions of citizens across our country have pledged that they're "still in" when it comes to the agreement, and supporting the goal of limiting future warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. 5 Ways to Make This Earth Day Really Count, 5 Ways City Dwellers Can Spur Climate Action, The Northeast Is the Fastest-Warming Region in the Lower 48. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Additionally, call your local representatives and ask them what policy actions they’re taking to prevent global warming. State Disclosures. “Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions,” Haq says. Educate them, and maybe they will not do it again. “Change only happens when individuals take action,” Aliya Haq, deputy director of NRDC’s Clean Power Plan initiative, says. Global warming will continue even if no more greenhouse gases were emitted starting tomorrow. Donate a set to a local charity to refit their office. If you want to organize others to reduce global warming, join an advocacy group like Greenpeace or Citizens Climate Lobby. It’s released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. ", "It helped a lot. Are the Effects of Global Warming Really that Bad? These are days declared by your local government to warn residents about potentially dangerous environmental conditions. Tell people why you do certain things, like adopting a vegan or vegetarian diet. Buy used, instead of new, items like furniture from classified and marketplace sites or thrift stores. 1 is taking decisive steps to reduce the use of fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. For example, let your representatives know you support a tax on carbon emissions. Even if you are advised not to give up animal protein entirely, you can still reduce your meat consumption. What step can we take to reduce emission to combat global warming? (And yes, it's really happening.) is an important way to cut through the denial and misinformation that is out there. However, they may be costlier. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. “Energy efficiency is the lowest-cost way to reduce emissions,” Haq says. Responding to climate change will involve a two-tier approach: 1) “mitigation” – reducing the flow of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere; and 2) “adaptation” – learning to live with, and adapt to, the climate change that has already been set in motion. Donate items you don't want instead of throwing them away. Harnessing power generated by the sun reduces your reliance on fossil fuels, but it can come with a price tag. It also predicted, again depending on a wide range of scenarios, that the global average sea level would rise 26–77 cm (10.2–30.3 inches) relative to the 1986–2005 average by 2100 for global warming of 1.5 °C, an average of 10 cm (3.9 inches) less than what would be expected if warming rose to 2 °C (3.6 °F) above preindustrial levels. Check them monthly. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and update email soon. Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too. ALERT: Is Global Warming a Hoax? The 20 that show the greatest potential for cutting the dangerous carbon pollution that’s driving climate change will share a total of $70 million in technical assistance funding provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies and partners. Many alarming facts have emerged about global warming in recent years. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Global Warming and the Water Cycle. Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel economy by up to 9% and are subject to increased wear and tear. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. At a time when the science of global warming is under attack and many people complain of climate change fatigue, some cheering news occurred last … Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. LED light bulbs are the most efficient and can save a lot of power. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. The meat industry is the biggest contributor to global warming. Nations around the world are upping their game in the fight against climate change, even as President Trump recently announced the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. The chart shows the probability distribution of global warming projections when the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report’s climate model ensemble, known as CMIP5, is run with the RCP8.5 forcing trajectory. Do your best to gather as much information as you can about climate change and its impacts. You can help protect public lands, stop offshore drilling, and more here. Follow the instructions listed in the article above. Stop Deforestation Deforestation is a major contributor to global warming. By voicing your concerns—via social media or, better yet, directly to your elected officials—you send a message that you care about the warming world. Global warming can seem overwhelming, but by taking steps to reduce consumption and engaging in activism, you can help reduce it. 1. References Visit farmers markets for locally-grown produce and other food. The temperature is reacting to the greenhouse gases that have already been emitted. Turn your city into a climate sanctuary, rally on Main Street, and other ways to make change globally by acting locally. Although the amount of energy coming from the sun does vary and may have been responsible for warming in the past, however, NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have ruled this out as a cause of the current warming … Step 3 is important. “Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy,” Haq says. Don't litter, recycle and throw away. There is no reason to alienate people who don’t share your perspective. When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, look for the Energy Star label. Even if you don’t give up eating meat entirely, going vegetarian or vegan 1 or 2 days a week can make a difference. You can offset the carbon you produce by purchasing carbon offsets, which represent clean power that you can add to the nation’s energy grid in place of power from fossil fuels. Here are some of the most important reasons to stop eating meat. The polar bear standing on a chunk of shrinking ice, apparently stranded, has become a familiar image, a symbol of the devastating effects of climate change. Think of … ", "I read some books about global warming, so now I am concerned. If a carbon footprint initiative has already been started at my school and I want to implement it further, what can I do? If you have awkward spaces, be aware that cellulose or fibreglass insulation can be blown in by a professional contractor. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. There are too many reasons for why global warming is happening. Here’s how to convince those who don’t. Walk around your home and count how many incandescent light bulbs you have. Here's everything you need to know about driving electric cars and hybrids. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. “If you can take a train instead, do that.”. Plan weekly or monthly shopping trips, instead of going out whenever you need something. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. As the human population has increased, so has the volume of fossil fuels burned. It is directly linked to the increase of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, worsening the greenhouse effect. ", "Some of the steps that could be taken as an individual and in the community helped. Read widely on caring for the Earth and the impact of human activities on the Earth -- it is a complex subject that cannot be answered simply through a few one-line answers. “Air transport is a major source of climate pollution,” Haq says. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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