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