The Awakening: Climate Reality Leadership Training Corps

“One is never too late to act and fight for what we believe is wrong and injustice”

Mr. Al Gore, presenting the climate realities and its solutions. Credit: Zsolt Bauer

 

Last March 14-16, 2016, I was given an opportunity to attend the Climate Reality Leadership Training Corps which was held in Sofitel hotel. It’s a privilege to be part of more than 700 participants from 55 countries with diverse background. During the three day training, Mr. Al Gore discussed and presented the climate realities , challenges around the world. He also point out that there is still a solution, that we can still win this fight. io admired his sincerity and commitment to save our planet and spread awareness about climate change. He truly walks the talk and encourages us to do the same and stand for what we are fighting for.

On the other note,  Mr. Gore stated that renewable resources such as solar panel, geothermal, and wind panels is becoming a trend now, given that it is cheaper and a clean alternative to fossil fuels. We can only aim for a sustainable development if we can completely shift from using fossils to our untapped renewable resources. The signing of Paris Agreement this coming Earth day, April 22,2016 of over 155 nations is a great achievement given that all world leaders  should push forward for a healthier, sustainable and climate resilient planet.

The last three days, It awakens my commitment to act and be a climate warrior. Each of has a role no matter how small or big it is, to influence and spread awareness about climate change, and environmental protection. We should start the change within ourselves then we can influence our family, neighbors, friends,community, colleagues, and our government to act on it.

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Changing your Lifestyle for a greener future

Most of us are not aware how our daily activities can actually produce gas emissions. These direct and indirect activities include but not limited to driving a car, water heating, cooking, among others. Changing our lifestyle and mindset toward this issue  has a great impact to our planet. The change should start within us, thereby we can influence our family, friends, neighbors,community and our policy makers to act on it.

So here’s the list of how we can reduced our carbon footprint:

AT HOME

• Practice 3R’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. “Manufacturing products produces an average 4-8 pounds of CO₂ for every pound of manufactured product”
• Switch to a renewable electricity supplier
• Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) have that cool curly shape and save more than 2/3rds of the energy of a regular incandescent.  Each bulb can save $40 or more over its lifetime.  Read the box or instructions for safe disposal.
• Appliances – Always pay attention to the total lifetime cost, including energy—not just the price tag.
• Heating and Cooling – Keep your heating and cooling system(s) tuned.  When it’s time to replace, do your research and ask for ENERGY STAR.
• Electric tumble dryers use a huge amount of energy. If it’s a nice day dry your clothes outside or even inside if it’s not so nice.
• Take your phone charger out of the wall. It uses energy even when it’s not charging your phone.
• USE SOLAR PANELS- Using solar panels can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and yes your electricity bills.

AT THE OFFICE

• ALWAYS turn-off you computer monitor when you leave the office
• PRINT -DOUBLE SIDED.
• Share a lift  to get to work
• Consider using ePlusGreen’s PC energy-saving technology – The system monitors/minimizes computer and printer energy usage.
• Bring your own lunch or buy at the nearest local restaurant

DRIVING A CAR

• CARPOOL
• Plan your travel to avoid getting lost, congestion, or road works
• Do EXERCISE- why not walk or ride a bike ? if it’s only one mile
• Maintenance – Keep your car tuned up and running efficiently.
• Drive a low-carbon vehicle

AIR TRAVEL

• FLY nonstop – A direct flight is way better than a connecting flight
• Plan your vacation-  Do some research and consider if you can combine trips
• Make sure you switch off all your appliances at home
• Use Hotel Van instead of renting a car

Other tips

• Eat locally-produced and organic food.  Yes, I am guilty about this but I am now eating vegetables more often. Did  you know that production and transporting of food requires a lot of fuel which results to green house  gas emissions.
• YES FOR RENEWABLE RESOURCES- It is time for us to shift from using fossil fuels to Renewable Resources such as using solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal among others. It is good to know that their is a dramatic trend in using this renewable resources and hoping that we will no longer use fossil fuels in the near future.

We have to act now. It is still not too late to save our planet EARTH.

Do you want to add something? Please do comment and let me know your thoughts.

SOURCES:

https://www.carbonfund.org/reducehttp://cotap.org/reduce-carbon-footprint/http://www.climatecare.org/climate/low-carbon-living/http://www.ecosystemmarketplace.com/articles/book-review-br-how-to-live-a-low-carbon-life/https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=carbon+footprint&biw=1366&bih=620&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiew9TEgfLLAhUHoZQKHU3aCVoQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=YoQj_rmZR_G-EM%3A

 

 

 

DIY: Make your own Solar phone charger

Ways to reduce your carbon footprint is simply by unplugging your gadgets, changing your light bulbs, conserving energy use and look for clean alternative way- tapping our Renewable Source of Energy.

All you need is just a basic mint tin, some wire and a few solar components, you can make your own phone charger on the cheap to create your own free, portable solar charging.

Source: http://inhabitat.com/infographic-make-your-own-solar-phone-charger/

El Nido, Palawan