The Earth is not terminally ill, but quite sick, "said Mario
Rodriguez, director of campaigns for Greenpeace Spain.
"We are in a period of great destructive power, but also with
older solutions. All reports say that we are on the edge and it's time to take
action and take action. People are aware and there is still time".
Climate change: Curbing global warming costs little, according to
the UN, yet the world is upside down. Get the average temperature more than two
degrees would not lift a cost of 0.6% of global GDP for 2030. Meanwhile, it
appears that heat waves will become more frequent floods caused by snowmelt
leave 200 million refugees and many species become extinct.
Water: The shortage kills about two million children a year,
according to the UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). Mismanagement
makes 1.100 million people lack this right.
Forest area: In the world was reduced to 7.3 million hectares
annual net loss of forest area, according to FAO. Between 1990 and 2005, forest
loss was 3% and it is estimated that by 2020, 135 million people (60 million in
sub-Saharan Africa) will have to leave their land by desertification.
Control consumption at home
UK provides free devices in every home so that they can know how
much electricity is consumed at all times. With this measure, they announced in
its forthcoming White Paper on Energy, expected, among other things, reduce
emissions of greenhouse gases.
The British government, like other European countries have done,
has pledged to cut by 60% emissions of carbon dioxide by 2050. The devices will
begin to be distributed next year.
Good earthling manual to improve the planet
The researcher at the Center for Environmental Sciences, CSIC
Fernando Valladares offers 20 tips on caring for the planet:
THE PLANET IS RUNNING, BUT STILL CAN SAVE HIM
1. Transport. Reduce individual and collective means to promote.
2. Household Energy. Reduce spending appliances energy label or
turning off appliances completely (and not in standby mode).
3. Waste. Encourage waste separation and recycling.
4. Materials. You can always reuse (paper, toys, tools, furniture
...) and avoid using bags, boxes and packaging.
5. Water. Reduce your intake by placing, for example, bottles in
cisterns.
6. Irrigation. Minimize watering gardens and promote drip system.
7. Urbanization. Only where it is known that there will be enough
water in the long term. In many cases where there is no water licenses are
granted.
8. Nature. Respecting protected areas and minimize the impact on
natural areas.
9. Casas. Build with good thermal insulation for investment in
heating and air conditioning is less.
10. Slits. Improving insulation in windows and doors for between
5% and 10% of home heat escapes through them.
11. Photovoltaic solar panels connected to the grid.
12. Alternative energy. Give more value and be willing to finance
them. If all support will be profitable, albeit more expensive.
13. Taxes. Allow to be allocated for the conservation of
resources.
14. Floor. Minimize changes in land use and, in general, the
artificial soil.
15. Impact. Give more importance to environmental impact analysis
and consider other cheaper alternatives, but environmentally friendly.
16. Species. Do not move them away from their place of origin.
17. Invaders. No release domestic animals or pets. They may be
invasive species.
18. Chemicals. Minimize the use of chemicals such as antibiotics,
fertilizers ... and aerosols.
19. Educating children on the value of the goods that we provide
the ecosystem.
20. Governments. Require long-term sustainable management of
natural resources.