We frequently hear about the various effects of climate change and how they can be mitigated. It often feels as though households and companies must make significant sacrifices to undo a lot of the damage that’s been done. However, there also are many positive benefits that can come from making certain changes, both locally and globally.
For example, scientists say that planting billions of trees across the planet is the cheapest and most effective change we can make. Trees absorb and store the type of carbon dioxide believed to cause global warming. Moreover, scientists say what is “mind blowing” is that a massive worldwide planting effort could remove two-thirds of emissions currently in the atmosphere.1
This strategy doesn’t require restrictive limits for factories but still addresses climate change with an appealing solution. Planting trees also may address long-term health care costs as they mitigate air pollution, which contributes to instances of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer and chronic lung disease.2
Additionally, planting more trees in your own yard can provide shade and potentially reduce the use of your central air conditioning, not to mention help clean the breathing air around your home.3
It’s common to instinctively balk at the idea of change, especially when things seem to be working fine as they are. But sometimes it’s a good idea to at least review our current situation, including our finances and insurance coverages. This can help ensure that they are aligned with our current financial goals and objectives. Being proactive may also help avoid an unexpected scenario down the road. Give us a call if you’d like an insurance review.
There may be some other simple things you can do around your home that both help the environment while offering immediate benefits to you. For example, while you likely use energy-efficient bulbs in light fixtures inside your home, when was the last time you upgraded your external lighting? Replacing older lighting solutions with LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs can help save money on your electric bill while providing brighter light to enhance safety and security. And, while solar lights may not be as bright as LEDs, they are continually being improved and are easy to install and maintenance free. Solar fixtures may help reduce your energy bill, allowing you to create a lighting design for landscaping that you may not have done before due to the expense.4
Another energy-efficient way to make your home more comfortable and reduce energy bills is through window tinting. You may use this on your car windows, so why not on your house windows? Lightly tinted window film can help block heat in the summer and reduce heat loss while allowing solar heat to penetrate during winter — all without altering your view outdoors. You can shop for window-tinting DIY kits at local home center stores or search online for a professional installation company.5
Content prepared by Kara Stefan Communications.
1 Damien Carrington. The Guardian. July 4, 2019. “Tree planting ‘has mind-blowing potential’ to tackle climate crisis.” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/04/planting-billions-trees-best-tackle-climate-crisis-scientists-canopy-emissions. Accessed Aug. 1, 2019.
2 IHME. April 3, 2019. “State of Global Air 2019 Report.” http://www.healthdata.org/news-release/state-global-air-2019-report. Accessed Aug. 16, 2019.
3 Conserve Energy Future. “30+ Terrific Ways To Conserve Natural Resources.” https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/terrific-ways-to-conserve-natural-resources.php. Accessed Aug. 1, 2019.
4 Duke Energy. “Energy-Efficient Lighting: Inside and Out.” http://www.myenergytips.com/article.aspx?accountId=210005&articleId=46709&nl=25396&userID=30921685. Accessed Aug. 1, 2019.
5 James Dulley. Daily Herald. July 12, 2019. “Window films can reduce your cooling bills.” https://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20190712/window-films-can-reduce-your-cooling-bills. Accessed Aug. 1, 2019.
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