STARTLING GLOBAL WARMING STATISTICS

And when I say startling, I mean it. Don't treat this as just another article meaning nothing. Maybe this will finally inspire you to go "green:"

• The UN says that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025 if consumption continues at current rates. That's in SIXTEEN years!!
• There is an 80% DECREASE in U.S. global warming pollution required by 2050 to stop the worst consequences of global warming.
• America is the NUMBER ONE global warming polluter in the world.
• At least half of the following 5 years are expected to be as hot or hotter than 1998, the hottest year on record(that's in the WORLD).
• America's carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels since 1990 have increased 20%.

If you've been inspired, here are some simple tips:

• Visit http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/carboncalculator.cfm to calculate your personal impact.
• Set the thermostat to no lower than 78 degrees F in the summer and no higher than 68 degrees F in the winter, and turn it one degree up in summer and one degree down in winter(you won't notice a temperature change, but you will notice a lower utility bill.)
• Buy metal or ceramic bowls for your pet.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning.
• Send ecards. Try www.care2.com where every ecard you send saves a square foot of rainforest.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescents.
• Plant a deciduous tree on the south side of your home, which will shade it in summer and let the sun warm it in winter.
• Close curtains to keep out summer daytime heat or keep in nighttime winter warmth.
• If there is no neighborhood curbside recycling program in your area, visit your city's website to see if your neighborhood to the list.
• Buy second-hand.
• Reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Happy greening!