Global Warming Action LinksTake the Audubon Climate Change Quiz!
Global warming may have more impact on humans, birds and the environment than any other issue. We can all do our part to help address global warming. Small steps we can easily take now help add up to big benefits, and a smarter, safer, and richer future for us and for the environment.
Here's something quite simple you can do to help birds and reduce global warming at the same time -
- Reduced mowing and creating a bit more native plant biodiversity in yards and other mowed areas, can help provide more habitat and accomodate more birds and wildlife that critically need it.
- Power mowers and other power yard tools pollute worse than cars per hour used because they are unregulated, so reduced use of fossil-fuel powered yard work is extra important if you want to help reduce the impacts of climate change and avoid even more extreme weather - plus it's healthier! A push mower is very reasonable if mowed areas are kept relatively small.
- Thanks for considering these options and doing what you can!
Great Ideas and Suggestions
What Can I Do?
- I'll ride my bike or walk as often as I can for close destinations, by just leaving a little earlier. It's healthy for me, I can watch the birds and say high to neighbors, and it takes my carbon footprint way down, real fast, for whenever I do it.
- I'll check my local bus routes and ride a bus for scheduled trips and other times it works out. I'll enjoy a good book and let someone else drive.
- Whenever I have to drive myself, I can see it makes dollars and sense to drive the most efficient vehicle I have available for the trip. I'll buy and use a scooter or efficient car for trips where they are sufficient and enjoyable, and avoid using a SUV, pickup or van that does not meet car mileage standards, car emission standards, and car safety standards (to be frank, they cheat on the rules others have to meet). I'll save use of the big guzzlers for carpooling for more than a couple other riders and when I have to truly haul a lot more than groceries, and for jobs that actually need it like farming, business and construction.
- When I drive, I'll drive the posted speed limit or 5 MPH slower because I found out I still get there plenty fast! It saves proportionally much more gas - and gas money - than one might think for just going a bit slower, and it helps reduce carbon emissions more than a little. Driving the speed limit or better yet 5 mph slower also makes the roads significantly safer for my fellow citizens in lighter vehicles and riding bicycles, who are doing us all a huge favor in terms of keeping gas demand - and prices - lower for all of us. Some rude people will always exist that 'ride my tail', but that happened even when I drove faster, so they'll just have to get used to it as more people do it. See Drive 55 for more information about the Drive 55 movement.
- I'll sign Up for Wind Power if it's available - MG&E offers 100% Wind Power by paying only a few dollars more for my electricity - it's very reasonable. And while critics will say I'm still getting electricity from a mix of sources, I can say honestly that my part is not taking any additional coal power or supporting investment in perpetuating polluting powerplants. My Wind Power dollars go to wind farm energy sources, and for focused, smart investments in new wind farms that will lock in my costs over the long term, instead of the vagrities of oil and coal.
- I will mow half as much this year in my yard, and support mowing half as much at my school and church and neighborhood parks. I'll select part of my monoculture lawn that is essentially an 'extinction' space in terms of ever really supporting many of the species of birds and animals that I enjoy seeing, and replace it with a nice mix of interesting and beautiful native plants that support lots more local and migrating species. I'll leave natural plantings uncut over the winter too, and trim them in the spring.Did you know that an average gas mower produces as much pollution per mowing as a long car trip? Here are some tips for a richer, more interesting and educational yard for your kids, and much more efficient and cheap yard to maintain - Backyard Habitat Planning and Certification
- Finally, I will support Public Ethics - responsible, fair, scientific, sustainable, and smart public choices, leaders and laws - even if they cost me a little bit in terms of not exactly being my own personal values and choices, because I know these choices affect other folks and critters too, and if applied fairly to all of us, it's ok with me. I have no problem supporting both public ethics and accomodating on some personal values because this is a democratic cornerstone of being a mature citizen, - and I understand leting public ethics trump personal values is sometimes necessary for a safer, cheaper, fairer, healthier, and more sustainable future.
Thanks for doing your part!