Global Warming Is Not A Priority For the US Government

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Many nations around the world have made significant changes and have drawn up specific guidelines to limit their impact on global warming. The United States is not one of them. Known for many years as a world leader, the U.S. cannot seem to grasp the urgency of climate change. This is happening now! And for those that would shrug your shoulders and say "not in my lifetime so I'm not worried about it," that has now changed according to a disturbing article published by the New York Times over the weekend. 

In the meantime, don't wait on the government to tell you how to limit carbon emissions. Get to work on this issue yourself. Many small actions add up to a significant difference and that's what is needed to really make an impact on the rate of global warming. 

• Open the blinds and turn off the electric lights during the day. 
• Use cold water instead of hot whenever possible. 
• Buy products with less packaging. 
• Drive or bike when you are going a short distance, and carpool when possible if you need to go further. 
• Consider living closer to work or school.
• Be sure televisions and other electronics are turned off and unplugged when not in use.
• Plant a tree or some shrubbery...anything with leaves.
• Plant a vegetable garden or buy locally grown produce only.

These are just a few suggestions and all are easy. Don't think you can't make a difference because you can. Set an example for those around you. Explain to them your reasoning when they ask why you do it. 

Click here to read the New York Times article about global warming. I'd love to hear your reaction in the comments section below. Have some simple suggestions for limiting carbon emissions at home? Post those below also. I want to know!

What is Your Carbon Footprint?

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Your carbon footprint is a great measure in numbers of how green you really are living. No matter what your score, attempting to lower it is a great way to continue on your journey to be more eco-friendly. I have known about this but I have never checked mine...until today. 


There are many sites online that will help you determine your carbon footprint. These are just a few:



http://www.earthlab.com/carbonprofile
http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/carboncalculator.cfm

http://www.carbonfootprint.com

http://www.myfootprint.org/
http://www.zerofootprintoffsets.com
http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/index.htm




I chose to go to Earth Lab to measure my carbon footprint. Out of curiosity, I hope to try all of these over the next few days. According to the carbon footprint calculator on the site I used, my score is 345 on a scale of 150-900 and my carbon ouput per year is 14.7 tons per year. I don't think 345 is too bad! I learned some things from the quiz that I can do to lower my score, just by not being able to say "yes" to some of the questions. On the other hand, i was very proud of my answers to other questions!


When I logged in after taking the quiz, I got even more information on how I can lower my score. I also learned that of the people in my city and state who have taken this test, I actually scored slightly higher than average, but lower than the national average. I have pledged to make some more changes to bring my score down. I love that under the pledges there are so many choices and they are divided into easy, moderate, and advanced.


Head on over and try one of these quizzes. I would love it if you could come back to share your results with me. I love comments and I'd really like to know how you did!

"Push" for Carbon Limits

The EPA has proposed a new act that will put limits on carbon emissions at power plants nation-wide. Finally! So much more could and should be done, but this is a start! If you'd like to tell the President that you support this act, just go here to Push-Button-Save-Planet and sign the petition showing your support! Then you can click to share on Facebook, Twitter, or by email if you like.

Carbon emissions are the main contributor to climate change. Power plants are producing 40% of the country's carbon pollution! This act will force them to take responsibility and take action. Head on over to sign the petition now at http://forms.climaterealityproject.org/push-button-save-planet-taf and then...

If you liked this post and others on Mama Making Changes, please click here to go to Circle of Moms and vote for me as one of the top eco-friendly mom blogs. Just click here, then click the thumb to vote. You can come back to vote every 24 hours. Thanks for the support!