Age of Mammals - Make a Difference | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
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Age of Mammals exhibit.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Stephen Simon (above left) is a docent at the NHM and the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. There are many ways to volunteer at our three museums!
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What We Can Do to Combat the Effects of Global Climate Change
The world is undergoing some of its greatest changes since the demise of the dinosaurs. The population of the planet is increasing at an unprecedented rate, having gone from 1 billion people at the start of 1800 to 6.7 billion by 2000. As a direct consequence our climate is warming from the increased amount of greenhouse gases which are the by-products of energy production to service those 6.7 billion people. What can we do?
Can ordinary people help to slow global warming? If we act together, we can. To put less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, we should burn less fossil fuel (oil, coal, gas).
Here are a few ideas for starters
Plant a tree whenever you can
We can all offset our carbon emissions by paying a small annual fee to support tree-planting programs. These trees may then take up the equivalent of your carbon emissions. Visit carbonfund.org
Shop wisely
Buy locally made or grown products. Trucking or shipping goods from far away uses precious fossil fuels, and local products are often better anyhow.
Drive less
Get the whole family to walk, ride bikes, and use public transportation whenever possible.
Switch off electricity
Spend less time on TV shows and computer games, and play more outside. Kick a football, walk the dog, throw a Frisbee. Unplug TVs, stereos, computers, monitors and printers at the wall when you’re not using them (they still use lots of electricity when on standby), and track your family’s power bill.
Ask Mom and Dad to put in low-energy lightbulbs (and save money on bills)
When it’s cold, warm yourself, not the house
Instead of using central heating, wear a sweater.
Take shorter showers
Heating water requires energy. Get a waterwise (low-flow) shower head.
Save trees, especially rainforest trees
Use less paper, and recycle the paper products you do use. Buy goods with Forest Stewardship Council certification whenever possible.
Eat less meat.
Livestock contribute to global warming by emitting methane when they burp or fart. (It’s true!)
Ask your parents what they are doing to help.
Will they put in solar panels or pay for green energy? What’s being done at their workplaces? We need everyone to act.
Ask your teachers what your school is doing as well
Visit green websites for more ideas
Additional information
General references for adults about climate change and its mitigation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_mitigation
Learning about climate change from the latest official reports:
IPCC website: ipcc.ch/
For children:
epa.gov/climatechange/kids/index.html
http://tiki.oneworld.net/global_warming/climate_home.html
coolkidsforacoolclimate.com/
For teachers:
http://climatechangeeducation.org/
About renewable energy and cash rebates for your home:
energy.ca.gov/renewables/index.html
Offset your annual carbon emissions by tree-planting programs that take up carbon dioxide:
carbonfund.org, (a nonprofit organization)