Artifact Three: Global Warming

Tidwell, Mike. "Fight global warming for $1 a day ... and still live comfortably; a Maryland freelance writer combines solar energy, efficient appliances and a corn-burning stove to lighten his family's impact on the planet.(Statistical Data Included)." Natural Life (May-June 2002): 8(2). Student Resource Center - Gold. Thomson Gale. Centennial High School (MD). 21 Dec. 2006
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This article shows how one family in the Western United States understands the effects of global warming and the things that are causing it in our everyday lives. This family knows about the planetary warming of approximately 10.4 degrees by 2100. They were frustrated with the government not taking any action so they decided to do it on their own. They use "photovoltaic panels on the roof" for electricity, a "potbellied stove that burns corn kernels" to provide cooking and heat, and "a separate rooftop panel that converts sunlight to heat energy" for hot water. The family only pays $30 for all of these devices and they are available for many North Americans. This family also said, "We switched to compact fluorescent light bulbs, bought an extremely high efficiency refrigerator and we began drying our clothes on a line." All of these actions dramatically help to reduce the amount of energy used and it was very easily done. They cut their electricity use by 52%.

Not only will you immensely cut your bills, but even here in Maryland, they will offer you a grant "up to $3600 toward solar photovoltaic systems plus a generous tax deduction." How could anyone deny an offer like this? Also, thanks to a subside from the U.S. Department of Energy the Virginia Alliance for Solar Electricity dropped the prices of solar panels. By making all of these switches this family saves $578.00 a year. But more importantly than any of the money, all of these changes will help save the enviornment. If everyone made theses changes, it would make such a big difference. I find myself in my day to day making changes in the way s i do things. I will make sure there arent any unecessary lights or electronics on, i recycle more and more, and i'm informing my friends about the effects of their daily activities on the enviornment. I know i will keep up the changes i have made in my lifestyle and i hope that many more people can change the way that they live so that global warming can get under control.