Making a Softer Footprint - Reduce Personal Contribution to Global Warming
Let’s Take some Heat off it!
Everyone has heard of global warming, but it is hard to take seriously when you don’t see evidence of it on a daily basis. One reason global warming is hard to see is because it is currently affecting the northern hemisphere. Global warming causes the buildup of the earth’s surface temperature by trapping the sun’s heat. To make a long story short, the ice and snow are beginning to melt!
The melting of the ice and snow can greatly affect wildlife. Algae is decreasing, which affects the amount of krill shrimp, which affects the penguin population, which affects . . . you get the idea! It is predicted that by 2050, almost a quarter of the plant and animal life will face extinction due to global warming.
Global warming is primarily caused by several human activities. Some of these include: greenhouses gases (mainly CO2) which includes the use of fossil fuels, deforestation (less trees to absorb greenhouse gases), and agriculture (cow waste).
How Can I Help?
As a college student, you can help fight global warming without taking up a lot of your time or money. Do more by using less! Walk more, use less heat in the winter, carpool, ride a bike, buy organic, switch to energy efficient appliances, take the bus, and make sure that your vehicle is tuned up.
Things like these can help reduce your contribution to global warming. By being conscientious about what and how much of something that you use (e.g. your car) you can really aid in saving our world!
Still Want More?
If you would like to volunteer for more than 15 minutes to help the environment, check out Douglas-Hart Nature Center (217-235-4644) and Embarrass Volunteer Stewards (217-345-6476). Both organizations are committed to the education, enjoyment and conservation of the world we live in. If you have any more questions about global warming or other volunteer opportunities, please contact us at 217-581-6048 or volunteer@eiu.edu.
