Actions by Individuals to Reduce GLObal Warming, water use and waste
Don’t overdo it or make life tedious. If we all do a good
proportion of these things the global problems of waste disposal , carbon
emissions and water shortage would diminish without the necessity of drastic state
enforced measures, which could do more harm than good.
MMT = mining, manufacturing and transport, all of which
consume energy and emit pollutants such as CO2. Most new products entail all three.
NB: The less water you use the less pumping power is
expended getting it to your home
Showers: shorter, less frequent, cooler, manual not power
>>> Saves on water & load on national grid. Buy & fit more
efficient shower? NB this would mean disposal of old one & MMT for the new
one
Showers: fewer installations in the home >>> Less MMT
Baths: fewer, cooler, shallower. Use dirty water for
garden >>> Saves on water
& load on national grid
Washing machine: avoid buying a new one >>> No MMT
Washing machine:
lower temperature, less rinsing >>> Less electricity &
water. Longer lifetime of machine means lower MMT
Avoid having a spin drier at all >>> No MMT. No waste. No electricity.
Avoid using spin drier so frequently >>> Less
electricity needed.
Central heating: set lower and to manual >>> Less
electricity or gas
Cooking: lower temperature, shorter cooking time >>> Less electricity or gas
Lighting only when needed >>> Less
electricity
Avoid using dish washer so much >>>Less
electricity, less water, longer lifetime, lower MMT
Avoid buying dish
washer >>> No MMT
Cook at lower temperature, for shorter periods, less
often >>> Less gas & electricity. Cooker lasts longer, less
MMT
Lawn mower: avoid buying new one >>> No MMT
Avoid buying a new vehicle where possible >>> Less
waste disposal , less MMT
Buy smallest, lightest vehicle practicable >>> Less
MMT, less waste disposal at end of life.
Walk instead of drive where practicable >>> Less
emissions, longer life of vehicle means less MMT
Travel by taxi or public transport rather than private
car >>> Avoids need to buy a vehicle or reduces environmental cost
of ownership
Computers & mobile phones: keep as long as possible
>>> Less waste disposal . Less MMT
Clothes: wear longer, repair rather than dispose of >>>
Less waste disposal. Less environmental cost of manufacturing new ones
Gardening: use power tools less, water garden sparingly >>>
Less electricity & water used
House alterations: restrict to essential >>> Less MMT, less electricity (e.g. for power tools)
John Sears
cosmic.jo@gmail.com
