What can you do to help the environment?

Question

What are ways YOU can help the environment?

Answer 1

Do you really think you can outrun Entropy? People have been saying the world is turning into c**p for centuries - Do you know why? Because it's true. The Laws of Thermodynamics rule the universe - Like it or not. The more you try to 'fix' things the worse they will get. The population is going to double in about 15 years. And then again in another 12 years. We already use 20% more energy than the earth can supply. In 15 years, we will be using 40% more than the earth can give. In just under 30 years, we will be using 80% more. Do you think we can sustain this?

On top of that, Nobel chemist Frederick Soddy pointed out over 70 years ago: “Debts are subject to the laws of mathematics rather than physics. Unlike wealth, which is subject to the laws of thermodynamics, debts do not rot away with old age and are not consumed in the process of living. On the contrary, they grow at so much per cent per annum, by the well known mathematical laws of simple and compound interest”

Economist Herman Daly explains the inevitable consequences that result when society pits the mathematical notions of compound interest against the physical reality of thermodynamics. He says that while debt can grow at compound interest forever, real physical wealth cannot continue to grow at the same speed “because its physical dimension is subject to the destructive forces of entropy.” He concludes: “Since wealth cannot continually grow as fast as debt, the one to one relation between the two will at some point in time be broken- i.e. there must be some repudiation or cancellation of debt. The positive feedback of compound interest must be offset by counter acting forces of debt repudiation, such as inflation, bankruptcy, or confiscatory taxation, all of which breed violence.”

At every step in the entire production and exchange process, work is done; namely, energy is expended by both humans and machines. Part of that energy is absorbed into the product and part is wasted. This means that the more stages in the economic process, the more energy lost. The same principle is at work in the production process as in the simple food chain. In highly industrial societies the stages of the economic process continue to proliferate, meaning more and more energy is dissipated all along the line; and the resultant disorders create even greater long-range problems for society.

It has been said before that the world could not possibly support another America. Looking at these figures, it becomes apparent that even one America is more than the world can afford. Imagine if the entire world tried to produce and consume as Americans do. It has been estimated that a middle-class American lives a style of life that is equivalent to the work produced by 200 human slaves. Buckminster Fuller refers to us as possessing 200 “energy slaves” that run on nonrenewable resources. Another way of looking at it is in terms of number of calories needed to sustain life. An average human diet consists of 2,000 calories a day. Yet the amount of energy calories we individually consume every day – in our cars, our electricity, our processes foods, and so on – amounts to about 200,000 calories, or more than a hundred times the quantity we absolutely need. In terms of energy consumption, though Americans number only 225 million people, our energy needs are equivalent to that of over 22 billion individuals.

Answer 2

I can use less paper - think twice before printing; carpool; use recycle bins wisely; be aware of products that deplete Ozone layer (like using CFC); take as less polythene bags from grocery stores as possible; play music softly; turn off appliances (including TV & lights) when not in use; use hand drier when available and cotton/tericot towels at home instead of paper; add trash bags to packing list for outings; plant and care of plants & trees; educate others in nicest way possible. We can make a difference!

Answer 3

i like you. you're cool :) well, we (i? you?) could use solar panels as a source of energy in place of electricity. make sure you recycle, and eliminate all leaky faucets! they waste so much water. please DONT POLLUTE!!! it hurts the earth. it hurts it deep...and always drive hybrids  :D  peace!

Answer 4

Make a difference and send letters to your

congress or state representatives saying that

you think we need a big change. Support your

local recycling program, get involved with other

support groups. A little bit goes a long way if

we all participate. Making a difference means

walking the line instead of not!!

Answer 5

If you really want to help the environment this summer, do not water your lawn. This is a terrible waste of water, which is a very scarse resource. Wash laundry only for full loads. Shower instead of bath, or reduce shower times. Try and start up a composting system in your community (such as this one http://www.region.durham.on.ca/works.asp... . Open windows rather than use A/C when possible. Reduce the amount of cow you eat. Suprisingly cows are terrible for the environment. Cows consume 60-75L of water each, daily. As well, their waste emits a lot of methane into the atmosphere, which is 25 times worse than carbon dioxide. One cow emits an average of 55 tonnes of methane per year. Compare this to the 5.5 of carbon dioxide that a car produces each year and even saving one cow by ordering more of other meats is a big deal. Lastly, if you are willing to spend on eco-friendly products, that would be a major plus to the environment.

Answer 6

You may use: My Best Recycling Idea

Besides recycling the plastic containers, you can improve your work or home environments by bringing live potted plants indoors.

Major items needed:

One empty plastic gallon container.   Tree Top Apple Juice is preferred, or equal in shape.

One empty plastic ½ gallon container.  Langers All Pomergranate Juice is preferred or equal.

Directions:  Lay the plastic gallon container on its side so the front label is facing up.  Place the empty plastic half gallon container on the label and with a sharpie pen outline the bottom on the Tree Top label and with a sharp knife carefully cut the outline.  Insert the half gallon into the hole until it rest on the back label of the gallon container.  Then mark and cut approximately one inch above the cut on the ½ gallon  to complete your planter container.  Remove and drill several ¼ inch holes on the bottom of the ½ gallon cut container for drainage.

Fill the cut ½ gallon planter with one inch of gravel before putting in good potting mix soil and live growing plant.  If you make two or more you can pour the water back and forth and not waste the water with the nutrients.

Go to NASA’s Clean Air Plant Study for the top ten plants that cleans the indoor air better than the rest.   http://www.zone10.com/tech/NASA/Fyh.htm

Answer 7

I am trying.. but I still have a long way to go.

I can finish going 'organic' to limit pesticides.

I can potty train my 2yo so we stop putting diapers in landfills. I can use canvas shopping bags instead of plastic... canvas hold a lot more & dont break as easy too.

I can stop using paper towels so often.

I can limit water waste.

I can re-use more items. No local recycling.

I can get the oil change and fuel filter changed on my car & drive less. (can't really walk anywhere w/ a 2 & 3yo)

I can use phosphate free / biodegradable soaps... not to mention using plain vinigar/water solutions as my primary cleaner again. Vinigar is awesome stuff.

I can turn off the TV more often... its used as background noise too often.

I can change my A/C air filter & turn it up to 78-79*.

I can limit the heat up cycle of my dryer by keeping it running so it doesnt have to heat up/cool down/ heat up again between loads.

I can put up some more of my cool twisty lightbulbs... I'm getting there...

There are many more ways I can improve... and I will. I have to leave this world to my kids one day.

Answer 8

well we could recycle paper, can, and many more

try to conserve water and use other energy type instead of oil.

think of other ways to reduce pollution by get what you need.

like for example carpool or take a public transportation.

well i dont have much answers but that all i can think of :P

Answer 9

Turn the T.V. off