Columns There is no serious doubt or debate: anthropogenic (human-effected) activities are driving more hurricanes than ever, more intense killer heat waves than ever in recorded meteorological history, more rising seas, more forest fires, more flooding and more salt water encroachment into formerly pristine, potable groundwater along coastlines.
The debate that annoys me most, to be frank, is the “It doesn’t matter what I do, since the huge consumers of fossil fuel are what matters,” or “My personal sacrifices, like taking cold showers and sweltering without air conditioning, are so unimportant and so miserable that just forget it.”
Stop rationalizing poor logic and selfish behavior. Almost all of us can do far better with relatively little effort. Please scroll through these ideas and choose the ones easiest for you and “Just Do It.” Please. Your children, your grandchildren and future generations deserve our attention and effort now.
Low or no cost (several can pay you in savings):
1. Drive less. Bike, walk, or take mass transit more. Skateboard if you like. Unicycle. Jog. Hell, Parkour.
2. Choose any available clean electricity option from your utility.
3. Sign petitions that call for public policies that will help reduce carbon footprints.
4. Use less electricity, especially if you cannot buy yours from cleanest sources. Buy efficient appliances. Turn off lights when you are not in the room. Replace bulbs with LEDs.
