[color=brown][b]COOL TIPS TO FIGHT GLOABAL WARMING[/b][/color] [i]The Good News, Inquirer [/i] [i]MANILA, Philippines[/i] -- Whether you drive a gas-guzzling Hummer or take a jeepney to school or office, you let carbon dioxide loose into the atmosphere and contribute to global warming. But you can actually help offset this. Greenpeace has drawn up a laundry list of practical tips to allow you to take part in the worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The earlier Filipinos realize that they contribute to global warming, “the sooner everybody can do something about it,” Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner Abigail Gay Jabines said in an interview. “People should realize that this is an urgent issue. It’s not just a whim -- ‘OK, I’ll do it today, and I won’t do it tomorrow.’ You need to check your lifestyle, what you can do short-term, medium- or long-short term,” she said. Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, among developing countries after China and India, according to Greenpeace. [i][b]The tips from Greenpeace, as explained by Jabines, are quite easy to follow:[/b][/i] [color=brown][b]Buy local[/b][/color] The effects will be felt in the long run. “If consumers get products that are local, that are produced in the Philippines,” they reduce the importation of products and lessen the use of fuel to transport these goods. “Every time we import something, we transport it. Every time we transport, we release carbon dioxide.” [color=brown][b]Reduce, reuse and recycle[/b][/color] “There’s more energy used to produce a new product. The more we recycle, or reuse materials, the less energy we use.” [color=brown][b]Dry your laundry on a clothesline[/b][/color] “[Each of the] 365 days in a year, we have the power of the sun to help us dry our clothes. But every time we use a dryer or washing machine, we consume energy, we consume electricity. If we use coal to get our electricity, the more gas emissions we make.” [color=brown][b]Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs[/b][/color], which provide as much light but use 75 percent less power. “A 100-watt incandescent bulb is comparable to a 20-watt CFL bulb.” [color=brown][b]When not in use … always switch off lights and appliances[/b][/color], such as TV and stereo sets and microwave ovens. “If you know that electricity use is one of the major contributors of greenhouse gases, you’ll make sure that you don’t use energy. As much as possible, switch off lights, [but only] if you’re not using them. We’re not saying that you should go back to the caveman period.” [color=brown][b]Buy and use energy-efficient appliances that consume less power but provide the same output.[/b][/color] “There are energy-efficient appliances, and you don’t have to forget about comfort. You need to check the yellow card to see the energy-efficient rating. It helps to choose the appliances you want.” [color=brown][b]Set your refrigerator temperature at 5 degrees Celsius[/b][/color], and leave sufficient room at the top and back to let the heat escape. [color=brown][b]Always clean air-conditioning units[/b][/color] [color=brown][b]Insulate water heaters[/b][/color] [color=brown][b]Conserve water[/b][/color] [color=brown][b]Consider the environment in planning and designing your house[/b][/color] [color=brown][b]Plant trees in your yard to add shade and regulate the temperature.[/b][/color] Make sure to maximize natural lightning and air flow. Consider solar lighting for your porch and garden. [i][b]Read the Complete Article:[/b][/i] http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/thegoodnews/view.php?db=1&story_id=59662