War Footing Against Climate Change: Reduction of Carbon Footprints By Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz
War Footing Against Climate Change: Reduction of Carbon Footprints
By Prof. Liwayway Memije-Cruz
War footing against climate change
The serious threats of climate change to national survival, calls for an urgent need for a “war footing” against climate change. It is a call for “total mobilization” of all sectors in order to abort the tipping point warned by scientists and climatologists all over the world.
Climate Change
Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Every citizen should work toward reducing his or her
“carbon footprint” or the indicator of how much each
person pollutes the Earth.
FOR SECTORS & INDUSTRIES
TRANSPORT SECTOR
Improving road systems that will include bicycle lanes and sidewalks.
Use bio-fuel blends for gasoline and diesel
POWER SECTOR
Tap potential rich sources of clean energy such as wind, solar, tidal, geothermal and hydro power to gradually replace coal and oil-fired power plants.
INDUSTRIES
Structures and buildings must be designed for environment efficiency. Waste and water management, and recycling, must be practiced.
FOR INDIVIDUALS/COMMUNITIES
WASTE MANAGEMENT: REDUCING METHANE
Segregate wastes from the source. Each household and every office must have properly-marked trash bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes.
A materials recovery facility (MRF) must be established. RA 9003 mandates the setting-up of one (1) MRF per barangay where wastes will be processed.
Biodegradable Wastes
Biodegradable wastes such as left-over food may be composed into fertilizers for urban food gardening; as stock feed for biogas; and as raw material for “green charcoal” production that may be used as substitute for cooking gas.
Non-Biodegradable WastesNon-biodegradable wastes such as old newspapers, used bond papers, soda cans and plastic bottles can either be recycled or sold to junkshops and factories for extra income.
RESIDUAL WASTESResidual wastes such as styropor and plastic wrapper may be shredded and used as fillers in bricks and tiles-making to repair roads and beautification of sidewalks.
URBAN FOOD GARDENS
Urban Food Gardens may be created in backyards and open spaces for planting of organic vegetables for food production, using compost fertilizers from the MRF. Food gardens may also be set-up in rooftops or roof decks, providing an added cooling system and insulation for buildings.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Use biodiesel for diesel-fed vehicles, and biothanol for gasoline-fed vehicles to reduce CO2 emissions. Better yet, to save money and exercise, why not walk or use a bicycle?
Replace all old flourescent lamps with compressed fluorescent lamps (CFLs) which cut power consumption by up to 90% while getting the same amount of brightness.
Use biogas or ”green charcoal” for cooking instead of LPG
Practice energy conservation measures such as shutting-off of air conditioners before 9AM and after 4PM.
Explore possibilities for wind, solar energy use in homes, offices and public places (e.g. solar streetlamps wind powered-water pumps).
PLANT TREESCreate carbon sinks by helping conserve forests and plant trees to help absorb carbon dioxide.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESSCommunities must be primed and organized for disaster preparedness with proper evacuation plans, refugee management. Emergency food and water supply, strengthened infrastructures that may serve as evacuation camps, and education the public.
ADOPT A SIMPLE LIFESTYLE
The best things in life are free! Avoid using objects that are energy-intensive like plastics.
Adopt a more organic lifestyle by doing, eating, and being what’s natural!
Thank you….