Monday, November 30, 2015

Energy-saving Tips for the Holidays

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With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to underestimate all of the added expenses this time of year brings. But, there are simple things you can do to cut down on costs and your impact on the environment. Putting light decorations on a timer is simple and effective. This rids you from having to remember to turn them off and on everyday, saves electricity, and will make those bulbs last longer. To take this even a step further, use LED Christmas lights instead of incandescent.
        Try to plan your shopping trips so that you can get everything you need at once, therefore cutting down on gasoline use. Make sure to unload your car completely when you get home. It’s easy to reason that leaving groceries in the car for a few days saves you some time, but the added weight in the trunk actually makes you burn through more gasoline than you normally would. Making sure to only run the dishwasher when it’s completely full is also effective. This helps save water, and switching to the “air dry” setting can save on electricity.
        Although having a fresh Christmas tree is a holiday tradition for many families, buying a realistic-looking fake tree is much more economical and ecofriendly. That way you’re not cutting down a perfectly good tree every year, and you only have to pay for it once. If done correctly, these simple steps can really make a difference, and help make your holidays a little less stressful. Click here for even more tips.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Paris Climate Talks



Climate talks are set to take place at a summit in Paris from November 30th to December 11th. A carbon tax meant to cut down green house gas emissions will likely be one outcome of the talks. It's expected that these taxes will be based on either fuel use by diesel-driven ships, or a market based levy. Either way, this expense will add to rising costs in the industry. These added costs would likely get passed on to the consumer. A study by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) predicted that CO2 emissions caused by shipping could rise by 50% by the year 2050 if action isn’t taken. Without CO2 emission cuts by the shipping industry, it will be nearly impossible to remain under the 2 degree global warming limit. This goal aims to limit the average temperature rise to no more than 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above the average temperature during pre-industrial times. The summit talks will attempt to find the best possible solution to these convoluted issues. Click here for more information.