Energy efficiency can reduce carbon dioxide emissions

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 07/06/2006 5:02 PM  |  Life

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Most scientists around the world now agree that global warming is happening right now and the Earth is suffering a fever. Global average temperature has increased by about 0.7 degrees Celsius in the last 100 years.

Some governments have tried to implement measures to impede the impact by at least signing the Kyoto Protocol, although some, like the U.S., still seem to be in denial, refusing to sign.

While waiting for the governments to make breakthroughs in the energy sector, we can do something to help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which are believed to be the cause of global warming.

In its campaign, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is calling on households to use energy at home efficiently.

""The power sector is the largest source of CO2 pollutants. More than 37 percent of global CO2 emission come from fossil fuel power plants,"" WWF explains in a press release.

Muhammad Suhud, a WWF campaigner, said that households accounted for 40 percent of electricity usage; therefore, saving energy at home would have a positive impact.

""We are calling our campaign Power Switch, targeting people who live in cities in Indonesia,"" he said at a campaign event and film screening June 23.

To use energy efficiently at home is not difficult. In the beginning you might forget to switch off electronic appliances before you leave the house. However, once it becomes a habit, it is easy.

Here are some tips from WWF:

At home, switch off electronic appliances when not in use. Don't leave them on standby because they still consume electricity.

Buy energy-efficient appliances. They may cost more but they pay for themselves through lower energy bills.

Turn on your water heater some time before you take shower. Turn it off again immediately after use.

Install solar panels in the roof. Turn your own home into a clean power station.

Turn off your air-conditioner when not in use. Set the temperature at a reasonable level, no more than 5 degrees Celsius less than the outside temperature. Insulate your room properly.

Use the washing machine when you have accumulated a load. Avoid using an electric dryer -- let your clothes dry in the sun.

Notebook computers consume five times less power than desktops, so if you can afford one, buy a notebook.

At the office, switch the monitor off when you go out for lunch. Turn your computer off when it's not in use.

When you go out for a short distance, use a bicycle or walk. Use public transportation whenever possible.

Avoid taking an airplane if you travel less than 500 kilometers.

On the Net: www.wwf.or.id/powerswitch

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