U.N. Releases Simple Steps To ‘Kick the CO2 Habit’
Posted on: Thursday, 5 June 2008, 12:40 CDT
A new report released Thursday by the U.N. says that people in wealthy nations can cut their greenhouse gas emissions by half through adopting simple lifestyle changes, such as using their cars less often, installing better insulation in their homes and even foregoing use of their electric toothbrushes."Adopting a climate-friendly lifestyle needn't require drastic changes or major sacrifices," said the 202-page U.N. Environment Program (UNEP) report.
Titled "Kick the CO2 Habit: the U.N. Guide to Climate Neutrality", the report was issued June 5, coincident with the U.N.'s annual World Environment Day. It describes simple ways to fight global warming through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as packing lighter luggage when flying or jogging outdoors rather than on an electric treadmill.
The U.N . Climate Panel estimates world emissions of greenhouse gas total 4.5 tons per person. And while most initiatives to fight climate change have focused on steps that governments must take, such as setting rules for vehicle emissions and power plants, the new U.N. report centers around simple things the average person can do to help combat the problem.
"Multiplied across the world and acted upon by 6.7 billion people, the public have the power to change the future, have the power to personally and collectively influence economies to 'Kick the CO2 Habit'," Achim Steiner, head of UNEP, told Reuters.
The guide describes ways that people in North America, Europe and Australasia, the major contributors to global warming, can cut their emissions by half.
Some of the steps, along with their corresponding carbon dioxide (CO2) savings, include:
- Using a non-electric toothbrush would save 48 grams each day.
- Using a wind-up alarm clock instead of an electric one saves 48 grams of CO2 per day.
- Drying clothes on a clothesline instead of a dryer saves 2.3 kg of CO2 per load.
- Pack lighter suitcases. If airline passengers reduced the weight of their luggage to below 20 kg the world would save 2 million tons of CO2 per year.
- Substituting a train instead of a car for an 8km daily commute saves 1.7 kg of CO2 a day.
- Using efficient insulation, heating and lighting would save 2 tons of CO2 per year in Britain alone.
- Avoid 'carbon binges'. For example, each passenger onboard a trans-Atlantic flight is the equivalent of running a car for a year.
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Image Caption: According the a U'N report, drying clothes on a clothesline instead of a dryer would save you 2.3 kg of CO2 per load.
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Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports
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