| With so much information out there about | | | | energy as well as joining together for what |
| global warming and the effects that are | | | | you believe in. I've seen Thais go to the |
| causing natural disasters, is there anything | | | | employment office and march because wages |
| we as individuals can do to make a | | | | were too low. I have witnessed the ousting of |
| difference? Yep! You don't need to move | | | | a political figure because the Thais felt |
| mountains, but a small pebble can really make | | | | betrayed. |
| ripples that can create positive changes | | | | |
| world wide. Here's a few "pebbles" you can | | | | I have greater respect for Thais and for |
| use today! | | | | others I've met from different countries. |
| | | | Their views and actions have taught me so |
| We all feel we have a purpose in life. As | | | | much about global warming. I also have |
| more of us become aware of the damaging | | | | greater appreciation for our abilities as |
| effects of global warming, we are also | | | | Americans to make changes worldwide. |
| concerned about practical solutions to the | | | | |
| problem. Most importantly, how can we fit in | | | | So to further answer people's question - |
| as part of the solution, instead of the | | | | "What are the best solutions to global |
| problem? | | | | warming?" My suggestions are all easy to do, |
| | | | but the main factor lies with what is |
| Unfortunately, many of us become overwhelmed | | | | comfortable for you. If I am given a great |
| when we watch the ever-increasing natural | | | | idea, but is too time-intensive, I probably |
| disasters and it starts to feel like the | | | | won't do it. But if it's as easy as hitting |
| world is crashing around us. I remember | | | | the enter key, now you got my attention! |
| watching the plane hit the World Trade Center | | | | |
| over and over and over again. I remember | | | | Ok. We are much more aware of what's going |
| being completely paralyzed to the television. | | | | on. We understand we have a problem. Now |
| Sleep was optional, but only in between | | | | what? |
| important news breaks. I felt helpless. I | | | | |
| wanted to understand the reasoning behind the | | | | ACTION |
| attacks to ease my fears of possible future | | | | |
| attacks, but I mainly wanted a sense of | | | | I started with small steps. As I learned |
| control back into my life. | | | | more, I found the bigger steps easier than I |
| | | | realized. I discussed my views with others |
| I do not like to focus on the doom of global | | | | and listened to their ideas. |
| warming because that's not the best mindset | | | | |
| for me to find solutions and implement | | | | My friends in Alabama recently installed |
| actions. I truly believe we all can make a | | | | solar heaters and a tankless water heater. |
| difference in our lives, in the lives of our | | | | Businesses are seeing the advantages of doing |
| families, friends and community. I also am a | | | | the right thing and stepping up their |
| firm believer that every single action taken | | | | environmental cleaning efforts People from |
| produces a ripple effect throughout the | | | | all walks of life have created petitions |
| world. When we take a simple action such as | | | | requesting a more proactive government. Even |
| changing a light bulb to a compact | | | | the 2008 Presidential Candidates are |
| fluorescent bulb, a positive motion is set in | | | | listening. Many are now including global |
| place. | | | | warming as their primary issue. |
| | | | |
| Just for fun, let's see what can happen: | | | | Need some ideas to get your creative green |
| (this will show how the action affects | | | | juices flowing? OK! Here you go! Enjoy!o Get |
| others)o That old bulb in the living finally | | | | the family involved - make it fun and |
| goes out. You go to your local hardware store | | | | educational.o Make it a project during your |
| and see miles of shelves of light bulbs! OY! | | | | child's science fair.o Chat with your friends |
| (production of CFL bulbs)o Someone comes over | | | | - they may have some unique ideas.o Add a |
| to help and maybe suggest a CFL. "A what?" | | | | signature tag to your emails. I have a |
| you ask. The assistant tells you that even | | | | personal account with Yahoo. Whenever I send |
| though the bulb is more expensive than a | | | | someone an email, my signature message or |
| basic tungsten bulb, it will last years | | | | quote is at the end of the page. I create the |
| longer, it will not burn hot, uses way less | | | | signature once and forget about it. If you |
| energy, thus saving you money every month AND | | | | see a quote you like or have a message to |
| prevents the release of more than 450 pounds | | | | share with others - signature it!o Find out |
| of emission from a power plant normally used | | | | what tax incentives or refunds are available |
| to light the old style bulbs into the air! | | | | to you, i.e. hybrid car tax incentives, |
| (increased sales and more potential | | | | toilet replacement rebates, deduct the costs |
| advertisement of a green product, decreased | | | | of energy-saving appliances and energy |
| amount of carbons released into the | | | | renovations in your home.o Support greener |
| atmosphere)o You read the advertisement and | | | | businesses. Our money dictates what |
| glimpse the familiar EnergyStar sign. So, you | | | | businesses sell. Our support encourages |
| think, "Why not!" (increased awareness of a | | | | businesses to continue doing the right |
| great program)o You go home and your kids ask | | | | thing.o Want to invest in the stock market? |
| you about the funny looking bulb. (educates | | | | What companies are moving forward in |
| the kids and tell their friends how smart | | | | clean-up? Researching new technologies? |
| their parents are!)o Your friends come over | | | | Contributing portions of their profits to |
| for dinner and recognize the bulb, but never | | | | support environmental organizations?o Vote. |
| really considered buying one until now. | | | | What candidates are fighting for positive |
| (increased awareness through word-of mouth | | | | changes in the environment? Who seems to be |
| [extremely powerful!!!] and more potential | | | | making global warming a primary focus in |
| sales, advertisement, decreased emissions)o | | | | their campaign? How does the candidate |
| You get the electric bill the next month and | | | | balance global warming and the economy? Does |
| notice you really did use less electricity | | | | the candidate understand the threat and what |
| AND saved a little money. ($$$)o You go to | | | | solutions does he or she offer?o Join others |
| buy more CFL bulbs and realize the prices | | | | online and become a part of something bigger. |
| dropped a bit due to increased sales! (supply | | | | In the past, petitions involved going |
| and demand of a product that improves our | | | | door-to-door or standing near the mall |
| world) | | | | entrance. Thanks to the internet, a letter to |
| | | | Congress has never been easier - or more |
| That's just for changing one bulb! Just one | | | | effective! Read the letter already prepared. |
| action really can make an impact. Just | | | | If you agree with it, type your name and hit |
| because we do not always see the immediate | | | | ENTER !o Submit your ideas to websites. I |
| results don't mean they aren't there! | | | | would love input from you! Your ideas can be |
| | | | just what someone else needed! Many websites |
| So what are the best solutions of global | | | | would also benefit from your thoughts and |
| warming? Can we help save the world? Yep. I | | | | appreciate the communication!o Start a |
| would first suggest do whatever feels right | | | | discussion group in your community. Barnes |
| for you. The level of comfort will be | | | | and Noble or Borders are excellent meetings |
| different for everyone. To me, it can be | | | | spots. It's a great way to meet others and |
| summed up as: AWARENESS and ACTION | | | | bounce around ideas.o Help improve your |
| | | | neighborhood. In Tampa, there's a wonderful |
| AWARENESS | | | | community group that has a Project Lottery. |
| | | | Each participant chooses a project they need |
| My first exposure to environmental issues | | | | completed on their house. A name is pulled |
| came about while working at Home Depot. I | | | | every month. The neighbors spend one weekend |
| watch as a person chained himself to our | | | | on the project. The lucky owner provides |
| lumber shelves and awaited the local police. | | | | drinks and snacks to the neighbors |
| His actions, maybe a bit extreme to some, | | | | volunteering.o Create a website of your own! |
| created awareness to the customers, Home | | | | Everyone has a voice. Today, websites are |
| Depot and the media. Many of those same | | | | effective communicators and very inexpensive. |
| actions ultimately changed the way Home Depot | | | | Get the kids or the community involved. |
| purchased and sold lumber. | | | | Here's a free guide that can help you put |
| | | | your voice out there. |
| For me, my level of comfort was turning off | | | | |
| the lights. The more I learned, the more I | | | | As a writer, teacher and webmaster, Helena |
| did to help the environment. Learning about | | | | Jackson is constantly trying to find simple |
| basic, easy-to-do home repairs really made a | | | | and easy ways to make a difference in the |
| difference and increased my confidence as | | | | world. To find out more info about global |
| well as the confidence of my customers. | | | | warming and money-saving tips, including some |
| | | | really cool freebies, check out |
| Now, years later, I must say living in | | | | Citizens-Stop-GlobalWarming. |
| Thailand has taught me a lot about saving | | | | |