Book Review
We Are The Weather Makers

Illustration by Elizabeth Carney Sowards

By Tim Flannery
Reviewed by Lahde Forbes
from the May 2007 Newsletter

Tim Flannery, in his book The Weather Makers, points out that we have the power to adjust the earth’s thermostat because over the course of human history our activities have moderated the Earth’s climate. Unbeknownst to us we helped create what is called the “long summer,” a time period during which human civilization thrived. Now, it is up to us to stop our Earth from overheating and keep it a hospitable place to live. As Flannery states, “you can, in a few months rather than the fifty years allowed by some governments, easily attain the 70 percent reduction in emissions required to stabilize the earth’s climate. All it takes are a few changes to your personal life, none of which requires serious sacrifices.”

The following check list may aid you in reducing your emissions by 100 percent! This list is not completely comprehensive but it is a good starting point for most of us. You may already do many of the things listed. Now is the time to dive in and see what else you can do. See what looks doable now, in two weeks or within the next few years. For a more comprehensive resource see Guy Dauncey’s book Stormy Weather, 101 Solutions to Global Climate Change. It is an easy read and chock full of good ideas.

(newsletter designer: can you make the following list in some sort of checkbox type format?)

Your Handy Dandy Climate Change Checklist:
(percent reduction of CO2 in parentheses)

• Purchase green power from your utility (100 percent)
• Use energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (up to 10 percent)
• Keep your car tires properly inflated (improves gas mileage)
• Turn off electronic devices when they are not in use
• Use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead and washing clothes in cold or warm water (Note: The Moscow Water Department has free water reducing devices for anyone living in Moscow.)
• Install a solar hot water system for heating your domestic water (up to 30 percent)
• Install solar panels and/or a wind generator
• Purchase energy efficient appliances (up to 50 percent)
• Buy local food, lumber, etc. (reduce emissions due to transport and storage)
• When buying a new car choose one that is fuel-efficient and clean burning. The best car on the market currently is the Hybrid Electric Toyota Prius. (up to 70 percent).
• Drive less and walk, cycle, carpool or take public transit more frequently
• Take vacations closer to home and fly as little as possible
• Write to politicians about climate change
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (save thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide per year)
• Purchase carbon offsets and or renewable energy credits to offset the emissions you are unable to reduce (www.TripleE.com/environment, www.nativeenergy.com, and www.cleanair-coolplanet.org)

Learn more at: www.moscowclimatechange.com, www.naturalabode.com, www.backwoodssolar.com, www.fightglobalwarming.com, www.stopglobalwarming.org, www.climatecrisis.net, www.climatefriendly.com/calc.php. And http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byGeo/US/US.shtml.

Lahde is inspired by her 90-year-old grandmother who recycles even her toilet paper rolls.

© Copyright on articles, recipes and images are jointly held by the Moscow Food Co-op and the respective contributors, except were otherwise noted.

Return to Resource Page

For additions or corrections to this page, please contact the Webmaster.