25 things you can do yourself to avoid greenhouse gaz emissions

 

Commit to do at least one point and write it on your card!

 

    Electricity  - reduce pollution from producing electricity

 

 

1. I switch off electric devices when I’m not using them, for example TV, computer, light, air conditioning
    

2. I use electricity from renewable sources, such as hydro, wind or solar
    

3. I replace old appliances with energy saving models, like fridge or LED bulbs
    

4. I save water and electricity when doing the laundry, I fill up the washing machine and dry clothes on the line or the laundry rack.
    

5. I take a shower instead of having a bath, because also water is heated with electric power or with petrol, and taking a shower consumes much less water than taking a baths.
   
   Mobility - reduce the pollution of cars,  airplanes etc.
    

6. I use public transport, walk or use my bicycle – but not a car that produces CO2.
    

7. I say no to air travel, instead I travel by train or bus or I take my holidays close-by
    

8. When I’m grown up, I’m going to buy or rent an electric car, but not a car with a petrol engine.
    

9. I persuade my parents to share cars with others, and we go shopping with our neighbours or commute together with colleagues.
    

10. I replace my motor bike with an electric bike, and I’ll save money because clean energy is less expen-sive than petrol.
    
    Lifestyle - reduce pollution from production of things...
     

11. I only buy second-hand stuff, because new stuff has to first be produced, which leads to the production of CO2.
     

12. I use environmentally friendly cleaning products and cosmetics, such as vinegar to descale, or almond oil for body care.
     

13. I lower the temperature of the heating at home and don't produce too much heat. Instead I wear a pullover and save heating energy.
     

14. I say no plastics and alu cans, and use refillable glass bottles or a reusable bag for shopping; because plastic is oil.
     

15. I share stuff with my friends and neighbours, such as household appliances, toys, tools, so that they don’t need to be produced in a factory.
    
    Deforestation - reduce pollution and make oxygen
     

16. I do not cut down or burn trees. We need trees because they can change CO2 to oxygen.
     

17. I reduce the amount of paper products, because paper is made of wood. If I need to use paper, I choose recycling paper.
     

18. I plant a tree, because it can absorb CO2 from the air.
     

19. I use regionally grown wood from sustainable forestry, to construct, to do handicraft, for heating, toys and furniture.
     

20. I say no to palm oil and soy. Because of them, lots of forests are cut down and burnt.
    
    Food -reduce pollution from agriculture
     

21. I eat less meat, dairy products and eggs - but more vegetables and fruits, because livestock produces methane. 
     

22. I only buy regional, seasonal und organically grown food, which are not transported from far away by air or by truck.
     

23. I do not waste food, instead I eat the leftovers and take away the leftovers from a restaurant meal.
     

24. I enjoy non-processed food, because it needs less packaging, less preservatives  and less palm oil.
     

25. I grow my own vegetables and fruits, in the garden, on the balcony, on the
    terrace or  on the roof

 

 

 

Choose one of these commitments and write it on your WAVE-commitment card. Don’t forget to write your name, the name and place of your school!

 

 

 

some useful links for additional information:
7 things you can do to reduce climate change, New York Times
50 things you can do / Global Warming Facts

Top 10 things you can do to stop global warming / David Suzuki
5 things you can do about climate change / CNN
10 solutions for climate change / scientific American