The Multiplier Effect

Each one of us has the ability to help change our world in a positive way. One act compounded by one million people, or one hundred thousand people, or even one thousand people, gives us the power to provide solutions to what seems like an insurmountable environmental crisis. There are several examples: One deciduous shade tree that is indigenous to an area, planted on the south side of a building in North America, will reduce the heat load in the summer and allow the sun to help heat structures in the winter. Many of our cities and power companies have programs that will provide at least one shade tree without cost to a homeowner..... Or another example: By replacing conventional toilets with dual flush toilets we can save approximately 68% of the volume of water with each flush. In a single year, a thousand households can fill a small lake with the savings from replacing their toilets. If our government on local, state, and federal levels provides more tax incentives to encourage the general population to replace water consumptive toilets and energy consumptive appliances we can stop depleting our natural resources and allow the world to recharge and recycle.

We all need to become better stewards of our planet. It's sheer folly to assume that large corporations and our government will provide the solutions. We are the solution and we need to start making more responsible decisions that will save our natural resources for future generations.

Comments: 7

Lisa H. Apr 8, 2007, 2:18pm EDT

So true! Even if I didn't think a single act of earth-consciousness alone would make a difference, it's still a better option than actively participating in further damage.

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Suzi :Two sides to every story Apr 8, 2007, 11:49pm EDT

Good to hear your comments. So, next time we decide to purchase a new car, maybe we should think about a hybrid car versus buying a Hummer? Yes, I believe we can all do something to improve the quality of our planet.

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Lori F. Apr 9, 2007, 3:39am EDT

Good article. You have covered many good things. Hopefully lots of people will look at your article and start thinking.

Good luck

Lori

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Steve B. Apr 21, 2007, 4:44pm EDT

Individually, one thing all of us can do is to buy green energy (energy from renewable sources) that is readily available. Many utilities offer this option. To find out if your does, this link will give you that information:

http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/locator/index.htm

If your utility does not offer a green energy option, try the Sterling Planet "national offer" program. This is what I do, at about $30/month:

http://www.sterlingplanet.com/

If TVA provides your electricity, you can buy green energy through the green power switch program:

http://www.tva.com/greenpowerswitch/index.htm

Still, I think that in order to make a significant difference in reduction of our CO2 emissions, government is going to have to change the rules for how energy is procured and used. One of the most far reaching bills in the Senate now is the Sanders/Boxer bill, S. 309. You can become a "citizen co-sponsor" by following this link:

http://ga6.org/campaign/citizen_cosponsor?rk=j7NeAWp1FXnrE

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Porgie T. Apr 29, 2007, 1:50pm EDT

Instead of tax incentives/rebates, think greening communities has to be mandated and implemented in the fashion we deal with items like sidewalks and sewers. The assessor stops by, works their numbers, and every house in the town or city is made green with bonds paid off with our property taxes sed as the mechanism to repay the bill...yo give people a choice, and they willlmost always choose the cheapest short term solutions, even if it costs more long term.

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Suzi :Two sides to every story Apr 30, 2007, 4:14pm EDT

Many small steps can make a big footprint.

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The Multiplier Effect

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