How Do We Save the Environment?
@DeborahDiane (40296)
Laguna Woods, California
June 1, 2017 8:03pm CST
Today, the president of the United States withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords because he wants to create more jobs based on the use of coal and other fossil fuels, rather than urge our country to move forward with renewable energy.
Some members of Trump's own cabinet and staff disagreed with his decision, including his daughter, who chose not to attend his announcement.
I read today that climate change could eventually become expensive for everyone, even for people who do not live in a coastal area, because a warmer earth will increase droughts, make farming more expensive and, consequently, increase the cost of food, water and other essentials. Countries will have to raise taxes in order to make infrastructure repairs in low-lying areas. Everyone will have to pay the cost of climate change. This could cause economic and political problems when real income falls due to higher taxes and the higher cost of food and water.
The states of California, New York and Washington immediately entered into a climate agreement of their own and promised to continue to move forward with the commitments they had made under the Paris Accords. The governor of California is in China working directly on climate agreements with that country.
As a resident of California, many of the people I know are taking steps themselves to reduce their carbon footprint.
A number of people I know have solar panels which provide all or most of their electricity. Our retirement community has also installed solar panels to provide electricity for all the common areas.
Personally, I recently purchased a Ford C-Max plug-in hybrid SUV, like the one in the photo above, and because most of my driving is within a 20 mile round trip of where I live, I often go days in a row without using any gas. The electricity I use comes from our community's solar panels, so the carbon footprint for my car is very low. I do occasionally use a little gas for longer trips, but I am getting approximately 115 miles to the gallon. Pretty amazing!
There are other ways I know I can further reduce my carbon footprint, and I know I have a long way to go to completely rely only on renewable energy, but I feel like I am making a start. I want to do what I can to save the earth.
With climate change such a risk for virtually everyone in the world, what actions are you taking, no matter how small, to help save our environment?
13 people like this
14 responses
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Jun 17
@DianneN - I was very upset by that decision, too. That is why I thought I would write a post which would help people focus on what they can personally do. I'm pleased that so many states, cities and individuals like Bloomberg are stepping up to meet our targets, anyway.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jun 17
@DianneN - I love your granddaughter and her political opinions. I agree with her whole-heartedly! I keep telling myself that he is our president and, like it or not, I have to put up with him for four more years ... but it gets harder and harder. It is almost as though he goes out of his way to get everyone in the world mad at him. ((sigh))
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
5 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane I'm happy you wrote your discussion, too, and it was so well done to boot! That man is a psycho!!! This is what my granddaughter had to say about him. Just excuse her spelling of politics.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
2 Jun 17
The transportation section is only responsible of 22% of all carbon dioxide emissions. Heating and air conditioning are the worst. We cannot renounce to heat our home, but we use natural gas that is the least polluting. We renounced to air conditioning. Deforestation is one of the major responsible and I cannot understand why government accept the increasing use of palm oil. To protect the planet, it should be banned.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471498)
• Switzerland
2 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane In some countries solar power can do a lot, but you need many hours of sun to be efficient.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@LadyDuck - I agree that solar power will not work everywhere. It has been very helpful in Africa, Central America and the Southern parts of the United States. Other parts of the world, however, are turning to other types of renewable energy, such as from waves, hydroelectricity and windmills. Every little bit helps.
3 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@LadyDuck - I am happy that I started this post, because I am learning a lot from the other people here, including your post. I did not realize that palm oil was such a problem. I will immediately stop using products which contain it to reduce deforestation. We use very little air conditioning or heat at our house because we are near the ocean, although we do use it occasionally. However, I know that people who live in the desert or in cold climates must use these services. When possible, solar power makes them less of a problem.
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
2 Jun 17
We should make our contribution in protecting environment as much as we could do. Installing solar panels and using battery operated cars are good options.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@dpk262006 - I agree that every individual on earth should do whatever they can to reduce their use of fossil fuels and switch to renewable sources. Small solar panels are becoming more affordable around the world and are even being used in developing countries where other forms of electricity are not easily available.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58676)
• Delhi, India
5 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane Yes, if every individual plays its role in saving environment, collective efforts could bring better results.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jun 17
@dpk262006 - I agree. No one has to live a perfect life, if everyone does a little bit. Together, we can make the world a much better place.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
2 Jun 17
Trump should take a look at the cities in China to see how bad coal companies pollute the environment.
US will have the same issue soon.
There is no doubt that Trump cares about his investment, and nothing about the health of the people who are affected by his decision.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@scheng1 - I agree that coal is terrible for the environment. I grew up in St. Louis in a home with a coal powered furnace in our basement. That was a long time ago and my parents switched to a gas furnace when I was about 10 years old. The air in the house was much better after that.
Coal miners put their lives in danger from black lung disease and the risk of having the mines collapse.
Some companies have offered to re-train coal miners to work as windmill technicians ... a job which is in high demand.
We can all do something to make the environment better.
Trump seems to be the only person who doesn't see that.
2 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
5 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane Coal miners can retrain in many other industries.
If Trump wants to dig shale oil, he can ask the companies to hire the coal miners.
Shale oil is as bad as coal in polluting the environment, but the salary is very high.
Those workers can work for 10 years to get 30 years worth of salary compared to coal mining.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jun 17
@scheng1 - I agree that Trump could have done much better for everyone if he had offered to help coal miners get retrained. There are plenty of fields, including construction trades, which are short on laborers.
2 people like this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
2 Jul 17
That's a great mileage for a galloon. We would like to wait for the newest Telsa (the affordable one that should be coming out soon) and see how that one works.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jul 17
@infactuatedbby - I have a friend who is also waiting to get that Tesla. I think it will be a remarkable car!
1 person likes this
@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
2 Jul 17
@DeborahDiane My sister has it waitlisted.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jul 17
@infatuatedbby - So does my friend. I think people are very excited about it.
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
3 Jun 17
I have been an avid recycler for many years now. I won't be buying any new cars since both of ours are paid for and one is rarely used. Trump's decision, which really will have little effect (other than our position of leadership) since nothing really will happen until after the next election. It is my sincere hope that we will never have another Republican President. After W's stupidity in leading us into the Iraq war, I thought the country was smart enough to see that the GOP never has a right idea, but here we are, with a narcissist fool leading the way.
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane I had not heard about Bloomberg doing that. Fantastic!
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - Yes, I thought it was very cool that Bloomberg has made this offer. I have also heard that seven states and dozens of cities have now joined the Paris Climate Alliance ... an effort to achieve our goals, with or without the help of the federal government.
2 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Jun 17
@JamesHxstatic - I agree. W left us with two wars, a massive bank failure and a collapsing economy. Obama pulled us out of the recession, saved the banks and the auto industry, and withdrew most of our troops from foreign countries ... and people still voted for another GOP president. We will probably have another recession within the next two years and another disaster, but people just don't seem to learn from the past. It amazes and disappoints me. I am proud that so many states and cities have joined the Paris Climate Alliance and Bloomberg has agreed to pay the UN the money the US government had promised to pay and now will not. Individuals are stepping into the gap which Trump has created.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
8 Jun 17
Right up until the moment he made his announcement I held out hope that he'd do the right thing for once in his pathetic life but of course he didn't. I'm so disgusted with his isolationist view, the idea he and so many of his deplorable supporters - and I'm sorry but I feel compelled to call them that and I don't mean ALL Trump voters fit that description - have the we can ignore the rest of the world and keep on living our same old wasteful way. I read that one of his reasons was just that he wanted to spite the European leaders. Congratulations, America, we have a "President" who hasn't left middle school! Who cares about the planet if you can get some kind of "revenge" against those who quite frankly made him look like an incompetent thug.
I'm sorry, I really haven't answered your question, have I? I've been doing my best for years to conserve and be environmentally friendly. We rent right now but if I owned a home I'd definitely want to go solar if possible. If I were to get a brand new vehicle I'd look into getting a hybrid. For sure I've always gone with fuel efficient vehicles. All it takes is for everyone to do his or her small part to save our planet for future generations.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Jun 17
@anniepa - I was also frustrated that we pulled out of the Paris Accord. Fortunately, I live in California, a state which has decided to honor the Paris Accords, anyway. I agree that if we all do something, we can make the planet a better place for future generations.
@allknowing (136601)
• India
8 Jun 17
If each of us did our bit we do not need a government to take charge.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Jun 17
@allknowing - I agree that we can change the world, with or without our government.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@jstory07 - That is wonderful that you recycle! Together, we can make a difference to the world!
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
2 Jun 17
It is a fact that the discussions about what to do and how to do it have been going on for as long as I can remember, so you have been hearing the 'talk' for years too. Much talk, little action it seems. Or, maybe it is much talk that leads to actions that don't bring results.
Our recycling, avoiding unnecessary traveling, eating habits (don't kill anything with a face) growing veggies and more, making our own laundry soap and personal products etc. are just a drop in the bucket, but it seems more than some want to do.
Too many are still asking after decades of considering how they should help, how what we do could possibly matter.
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
8 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane Solar and other solutions that work seem to be stopped by government regulations. We have read about people losing their homes b/c they were off the grid, which is not allowed in many areas. You must be connected to services that are provided.
Many of us are not allowed to collect rainwater on our property for various reasons (bogus).
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Jun 17
@PatZAnthony - Horrifying! Solar powered homes are common here in California. The local school system even has carports in the parking lot. They provide shade for the teacher's cars and the roofs of the carports are solar panels which dramatically reduce the cost of the electricity the schools use. Hopefully, laws will begin to change nationwide as people realize how much money could be saved.
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@PatZAnthony - I agree that we could all do more, much more, than most of us currently do. I remember the Arab Oil Embargo in the early 1970s and I said then that every new home in the Sun Belt should be required to have solar panels. That alone would have made us energy independent.
My husband grew up in a house which was built in the 1930s and had solar panels, so I knew it could be done.
Finally, nearly 90 years after my husband's childhood home was built, many homes are being built with solar panels ... although not enough.
Perhaps the publicity about Trump's decision to pull us out of the Paris Climate Accord will encourage individuals to do more on their own.
We can all do something ... cut back on our driving, turn down our thermostats in the winter and up in the summer, eat less meat, plant trees, etc. We can all do something.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
2 Jun 17
I can't afford a new car—I'd love to have a Prius—but I participate in our recycling program and am signed up for total renewable energy. I also recently began using LED lighting in my home wherever I can. I hardly drive anymore, so I guess that helps. Oh, and I turn my water heater off for at least a day or two each week.
1 person likes this
@blitzfrick (2890)
• United States
2 Jun 17
@DeborahDiane Thanks, I like to think it's helping. I believe every little bit counts. Like little drops of water, little grains of sand, making mighty ocean and pleasant land.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
3 Jun 17
@blitzfrick - I agree. Like little drops of water .... Well said. Everyone can do something and, when you put it all together, it can make a huge difference.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@blitzfrick - I am so pleased to see the wide variety of ways people are helping the environment ... all on their own. Recycling is important, as well as using renewable energy when possible. The fact that you use LED lights, do not drive much, and turn off your water heater is very helpful to the world!
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
3 Jun 17
i read that news too, about Trump backing out of the climate change thingy. if almost all of his cabinet members are against his action, will there be others who will support him?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
4 Jun 17
@ridingbet - Yes, there are some people who supported his decision because they think backing out will help them create more jobs in the coal industry. Others think that is crazy, since coal mining and related jobs are disappearing, anyway. I was very disappointed that he backed out.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
2 Jun 17
Even the scientists who were in the Admin of Mr. Obama have expressed the opinion that the Climate Change is a big hoax and it is not possible to reduce the temperature even to 1degree with all present sophisticated scientific tools. Mr. Trump is not having any good opinion from the beginning on this agreement. This is a step only to weaken the economy of the U.S He did a good thing by withdrawing from this accord.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@shivamani10 - I am glad that your country made the wise decision to stay in the Paris Climate Accords. Approximately 97% of the scientists in the world agree that climate change is a serious problem and, while we cannot stop it, we can slow it down so we have time to make adjustments to our coastlines, etc.
I believe that the real secret to slowing down climate change will rest will behavior changes made by individuals who buy solar panels and use fewer fossil fuels.
@rjain1055 (595)
•
2 Jun 17
I try to stop to people who fire the plastic!!!!! Don't you think it save environment
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40296)
• Laguna Woods, California
2 Jun 17
@rjain1055 - Yes, I think that burning plastic is a bad idea. Stopping it will help save the environment. We can all do something.
1 person likes this
