Just with your hands, you can reduce tons of CO2

Save electricity, reduce kitchen waste, ride bicycles or use public transport . The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has launched a series of things to do for each person to contribute themselves. reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) calls on people all over the world to save energy at home with measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their daily lives.

These are simple measures, everyone can do to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as using less energy not only helps the planet but also saves money for households; adjust thermostat or air conditioner to 1.5 ^o C (3 ^o F) saving about 1 ton of CO2 per year; using energy-efficient refrigerators can save nearly half a ton of CO ₂ per year compared to using a conventional refrigerator; using spiral-shaped compact fluorescent light bulbs effectively saves 75% more than conventional light bulbs; using windows, insulated doors and adding insulation to attics and basements will reduce energy consumption;

The program also reminds people to reduce kitchen waste. On average, each year, people waste 10 times more waste than their body weight. Meanwhile, 1kg of garbage is buried, producing about 2 kg of methane. UNEP also recommends that people reduce their purchases and waste unnecessary packaging. Using both sides of paper and recycling paper can save 2.5kg of greenhouse gases for every kg of paper used.

Driving at a slow speed, you can contribute to reducing hundreds of kilograms of CO ₂ greenhouse gas emissions each year . In the photo: A series of dense cars on a street in Beijing, China (Photos: Tran Vu)

A series of energy-saving activities along the way also proved to be very effective if each person had difficulty walking, cycling, using shared vehicles or public transport . This job is also will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

UNEP also offers recommendations for car riders . Keep the most tire when using the car as well as driving at low speeds will save fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Environmental experts have calculated, if you drive at a speed of less than 5 miles per hour compared to the minimum speed on an 8-mile daily commute, you can contribute to reducing 350 kg of CO gas. ₂ every year.

Melting ice: A hot problem

"Ice melt - a hot issue" is the topic chosen by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) for World Environment Day (June 5) this year.

According to the scientific world, the Earth's temperature has increased by 0.75 ° C compared to pre-industrial times.The 11 hottest years in the past 125 years have been going on since 1990, of which 2005 was the hottest year.Now scientists agree that this is due to emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide from burned fossil fuels.

Between 1960 and 2002, global human CO2 emissions increased by threetimes. It is predicted that this temperature increase will be around 1.4 ^o C to 5.8 ^o C in this century. The impact of climate change is clearly visible.Examples include the shrinking of Arctic ice caps, rising sea levels, narrowing glaciers around the world, melting permafrost regions;ice melts faster in rivers and lakes;increase the intensity and frequency of tropical storms;extend the distance between seasons;and changes in species and habit of plants and animals.

Over the past 100 years, the global sea level has increased from 1-2mm per year.Since 1992, this rate is about 3mm / year.Sea level rises, residents living in low-lying islands and coastal cities face flooding.

In terms of economic losses, Munich Re estimated in 2005 damage due to weather-related disasters such as tropical storms and forest fires, which amounted to more than US $ 200 billion, of which losses were covered above. 70 billion USD.

Kieu Minh