Think Big

Recently, we have been reading David MacKay's online book "Sustainable Energy - without the hot air." He delivers his information in a specific form; his writing is very funny, in depth, practical, and factual. And he is very honest.
Our most recent reading assignment as focused on sustainable heating, and how little changes with how we heat our homes have an enormous effect on the amount of energy we use, even up 90% of our overall energy use. Most of this is unnecessary; an average American keeps their heat on in every room at a temperature that is plenty comfortable, sometimes 70*F! That amount of heat staying on throughout a home at such a high temperature uses up tons of energy, not too mention it is also not completely cost-effective. Just by turning the thermostat down a few degrees can save energy. According to MacKay, "turning the thermostat down from 20*C to 15*C would nearly halve the heat loss" (141). When converting these numbers to Farenheit, the gap between the numbers is a little larger (68*F and 59*F), therefore really affecting the temperature of one's home. But it's the thought behind it that counts.

One thing MacKay makes sure to mention, however, is that if we think little, and "if everyone does a little, we'll only achieve a little" (3). By turning down your thermostat, you are making a change, but it is not the change that is going to save the world. It takes more than that. One could say, "well I turned my thermostat down, unplugged the TV and the microwave, and took a five-minute shower instead of a twenty-minute shower." But all of that effort would be walked over when they jump into their gas-guzzling car to drive to work.
On the topic of carbon emissions, MacKay writes "that some countries, including Britain, have committed to at least a 60% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions by 2050, but it must be emphasized that 60% cuts, radical though they are, are unlikely to cut the mustard" (14).
So what are we supposed to do? Even if we manage to cut carbon emissions by 60%, that still won't be good enough to lower Earth's temperatures and halt global warming. We must make even more changes.
Yes, lower your thermostat five degrees, unplug the TV and the microwave, and take a five-minute shower instead of a twenty-minute shower. But if you want to make even a bigger change, take more extreme steps to a change in lifestyle. Re-insulate your house so it traps heat better and invest in double-paned windows. Bike to work. Buy local and monitor your consumption as well as your waste. Take more public transportation and install ceiling fans.
There is so much to be done, but we have to think bigger and act bigger, because then we will achieve bigger and hopefully make the changes we need to make.