Let us first start off with the basics. We need to know the definition of climate change, because knowing is only half the battle.
According to the National Geographic, “climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Often climate change refers specifically to the rise in global temperature from the mid 20th century to present. It is also the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.”
As citizens, not only of the Philippines, but of the world, how can we help in the battle against climate change in our own simple ways?
We must invest in energy-efficient appliances at home. Purchase appliances that have good EER ratings or Energy Efficiency Ratio. Approximately, the best EER rating would be around 8.3. The higher the rating, the better.
Second, replace your light bulbs. According to the American Optometric Association, bright white and cool fluorescent tube bulbs emit the most UV radiation and cause the most damage to your eyes. So, replacing it with an alternative such as an LED bulb and Compact Fluorescent Light would be much better. But beware of its bad brother, the CFL bulb which is believed to be harmful due to its mercury content.
Third, this won’t require rocket science in order for you to execute; unplug unused appliances when not in use.
Officials from the Department of Energy have already been sounding like a broken record in reminding the public that leaving your home appliances in standby mode doesn’t change the fact that it is still generating electricity.
Imagine a vampire clandestinely creeping up on you. Yikes! Do not leave devices that have reached full charge still lounging on your power sockets, and most of all, unplug rarely used devices. Unplug. Unplug. Unplug.
Fourth, carpooling. Reduce carbon footprint of your automobiles. Prudence highly dictates that if you and your friends have the same destination, arrange a single group journey. Just think of this, you can maximize the time you would spend on the road inside your vehicle and you would help minimize the volume of cars plying along EDSA. No more “carmaggedons” to a certain extent, at least.
The next one is important. Pay close attention. If possible, let us stop using materials that are made from plastic. Bring your own utensils whenever you choose to dine out. Bring your own eco-bag if you need to the supermarket and bring your own water bottle. For example, instead of paying an extra charge in a nearby coffee shop because you opted for a plastic cup, why not use your own water bottle, right? It would let you save an extra buck. Plastic takes a thousand years to totally decompose in our landfills and 450 years for plastic bottles.
And wait a second, don’t forget to throw your trash in the proper waste disposal area.
Think about the welfare of our only home, which is the Earth. Think about the future of the next generation.
