Bloomin’ You-sense

Useful Solutions to Current Environmental Crises

You are here -  Bees


Help solve a crisis:
1) Bee Colony Collapse
2) Plastic Debris Pollution
3) Global Climate Change – You are here

All too often crises overwhelm us. Click on a link above to find things you can do to create a greener future, both individually by yourself and collectively with a group.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed too often, perhaps a Spiritual Beach Walk would help.

Global Climate Change

Previously called Global Warming, Global Climate Change is caused by buildup of Greenhouse Gases in the atmosphere. The most abundant Greenhouse Gas is Water Vapor, followed by Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Ozone, and Chlorofluorocarbons. Different gases have different effects, some heating up the atmosphere more (Greenhouse Effect), some less. Those with the most Greenhouse Effect are Water Vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Ozone. However, Water Vapor only stays in the atmosphere for about 9 days. Carbon Dioxide stays there somewhere between 30 to 95 years. Methane is 12 years. Ozone has an atmospheric lifetime of 22 days.
The buildup of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is the main culprit behind Global Climate Change. The burning of fossil fuels (petroleum, mainly gasoline, and coal) accounts for the biggest increase in CO2 since the Industrial Revolution (about 1830). Deforestation is also a big culprit, since trees breathe in CO2.

The number one thing you can do to reverse Global Climate Change is to switch to Green Power. Most Power Companies in the US offer a Green Power program. Many Utility companies are switching to more renewable sources of fuel (than coal and petroleum). Switching to a Green Power Plan gives them more incentive to switch faster.

The second best thing you can do to reverse Global Climate Change is to drive less. In the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington), traffic pollution is the biggest contributor to CO2. Hypermiling helps save gas while driving. Consider taking the bus, walking, making shorter trips, combining trips, parking further away from the store as ways to reduce your driving. Less driving may mean you’re less stressed. Switching to an Electric Car, or at least a hybrid, is also a good way to help reverse Global Climate Change.

Buy Local. Buy locally made goods from your neighbors. That way, products don’t have to be shipped as far – another way to reduce traffic.

Use less cement. A lot of petroleum is burned in the process of making cement.

Eat less meat. Become a vegan, a vegetarian, a pescatarian, a meat minimalist. Find other forms of protein - Chia, Beans and Rice, Soy.

Buy only organic food. Pesticides and Fertilizers used in conventional (non-organic) farming are made from petroleum. Along the same lines, buy clothes made from organic cotton.

Buy Carbon Offsets. Native Energy is a good place to do this. Buying Carbon Offsets helps reverse additional CO2 you add to the atmosphere through driving, taking the airplane, not being on Green Power.

Use less energy to power your home. If you’re on Coal or Heating Fuel (Propane, etc), consider switching to all electric. Weatherize your home by sealing drafts and adding insulation. Use less electricity. Electronics may draw electricity even when off. Unplug chargers when not in use. Set the temperature lower in the winter and higher in the summer. Don’t leave your doors open longer than necessary. Install a cat/dog door for your pet, so you’re not opening the entire door. Switch to energy efficient appliances, if you have older models. Switch to LED bulbs. Use rechargeable batteries.

Avoid products made from petrochemicals (chemicals derived from petroleum). Petrochemicals include Ethylene, Propylene, Butadiene, Benzene, Toluene, and Xylene. See this chart for products made from these petrochemicals. Note: The products lists are not always made from and do not always contain those petrochemicals. Here is another list. There are way too many products to avoid all of them. So, what to do? Buy naturally made products rather than artificially made ones. Some of these products keep the petrochemicals bound or tied up. Others release them back into the atmosphere through offgassing. Try to avoid those that offgas. If there’s a fragrance and it’s not natural the product probably contains an offgassing petrochemical or two. Artificial Fragrances including those in dryer sheets and other laundry products, personal hygiene products, antibacterial soaps etc, scented candles, air fresheners, nail polish remover; Solvents, including those in printer inks (especially laser printers); Particle Board and Plywood; Electronics containing flame retardants (Note: newer electronics use safer (health-wise) flame retardants); Teflon. More info in this article.