Get Educated

Global Warming:

U.N. Secretary General claims, "Global warming will never be reined in unless the USA leads the way." Click to read the entire article.

The science is clear: global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Many of the activities we do every day like turn the lights on, cook food, drive our cars, or heat or cool our homes rely on energy sources like coal and oil that emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. This is a major problem because global warming destabilizes the delicate balance that makes life on this planet possible. Just a few degrees in temperature can completely change the world as we know it, and threaten the lives of millions of people around the world.

Increasing levels of CO2 (that we can control) will naturally increase methane levels (which we can’t control) which will lead us to a tipping point that we won’t be able to correct. But don't give up hope! Learn more at www.350.org

If you have time on your hands and want to read about all the details you can visit the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Every gallon of gas you burn in your car creates 19.4 lbs of carbon dioxide. Visit www.epa.gov. How much CO2 do you create? It depends on the gas mileage of your car. Look yours up below...

There is not one answer to this question. The best way to answer that is for you to rent the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car?" at your local video store or buy it at Sony Classics Warning: You will laugh, you will cry, you will finally understand, you will get really mad, so mad that hopefully you will stand up and take action.

Make a Commitment to Yourself to Make Some Simple Changes in Your Life

Before you can do anything, you first need to decide to do something. You made it this far in reading this web page and maybe exploring some of the links, so before you log off and power down take a minute and ask yourself, "Is this important to you?" If you said yes, then tell yourself right now that you will make a commitment to yourself and the rest of the world to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to get us to 350ppm.

Then go tell a friend that you made this commitment. Having someone to share this with is extremely important as it builds a support system for you to help reach your goal. The more people you tell, the stronger the support, the better chances you have in being successful. Plus the more people you tell, the more people who will also decide to make a commitment which will make the 350 goal even more possible.

Take Action

We recommend that you start with the low hanging fruit first. Check out 10 Things You Can Do to Stop Climate Change and start with the easy things.

You probably already recycle, but do you recycle everything you should or do your food scraps still end up in the garbage? All it takes is a little can or container. If I can do it, you can do it.

Next, try shopping at farmers markets. In Seattle go to Seattle Farmers Markets to find one near you. Outside Seattle? Do a web search to find one in your neighborhood.

Then walk around your home and count how many incandescent light bulbs you still have, inside and out. Go to www.Seattle.gov to learn more about florescent bulbs. The city of Seattle gives them away for free from time to time, call them to find out about these programs. (Ask them about free shower heads and aerators for your faucets while you are at it).

Contact your elected leaders and tell them you support the reduction of carbon dioxide levels to 350ppm. If you never have contacted a government official before, they make it easy. Just go to www.USA.gov and click on the group you are trying to contact, enter your state and pick the person to email. And yes, your email will get read and counted.

Make sure you then spend some time thinking about sustainable transportation. Though we at Pacific Electric Vehicles would love to convert you car to pure electric, there are some other ways to get around. Visit www.PSCleanAir.org for some suggestions for alternatives to driving alone.

If you still want to drive a highway capable car, we recommend you recycle your current car or buy a used car rather than buying a new car as new car production creates more greenhouse gases. See our FAQ page for questions related to electric cars.

Make it a Habit

It is said that it takes 28 days to make a new action or change in your life a habit. This can apply to diet, time management, exercise, just about everything. Some of the changes you will do are a one time thing, like changing your light bulbs, but riding your bike to work or bringing your own canvas bags shopping might take the entire 28 days to master. (I still sometimes forget my grocery bags in the car, though some stores put reminder signs at the entrance of their store to help us remember).

Finally, get involved. Global warming is such a big deal that everyone needs to get involved. So join or start a neighborhood 350.org group, or make up a name and group of your own. There are some Seattle neighborhoods that have sustainable living groups that have been meeting for years. One example is the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association.

Where can you get the biggest carbon dioxide reduction? By converting your car to electric. See our FAQ page to learn more.

Future generations are counting on you. You can do it! Make it happen!