Here are some sure ideas that could be implemented to curb global warming. Some are already adopted in certain countries, but the only way we can achieve success is if we can roll it out en masse…
SURE-FIRE IDEA # ONE: YOU WASTE, YOU PAY
OK, your utility bill shows that the consumption of your family of three is equivalent to that of a family of 10. You then receive a ‘usage matrix’ that charges you a certain rate up to your ‘ideal’, then anything over that is charged at a rate that goes incrementally higher. So, say you are charged at the rate of $ 1 per gallon up to the first 20 gallons for your family, then $ 2 per gallon on the 21th gallon up to your 25th gallon, and then $ 3 for the 26th gallon up to the 30th gallon etc. You get the idea…. (these are of course not actual costs per gallon costs but shown here for illustrative purposes). Now flip the coin and think: what if you were a family (or businesses) that consumed less that the average. Well, then you get rewarded (and thereby incentivized) with a lower per unit charge.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #2: PAY TO BAG IT
We all have the best of intentions when we buy reusable shopping bags and pledge to be more eco-conscious. But we always conveniently ‘forget’ to take the bags to the store with us. We mentally lament our negligence and vow to remember the next time around.Well, what if we paid for forgetting? Here’s the scenario: the cashier asks you if you brought your reusable bag. You shake your head and apologise. The cashier then pulls out paper or plastic (hopefully biodegradable) bags and charges you something; say $ 5, or $ 10 (whatever…) apiece. I’m sure that would jog your memory next time you plan to go shopping.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #3: GROW LOCAL, BUY LOCAL
We all know that shipping produce (or any other good for that matter) from far away involves a lot of energy cost and causes pollution, not to mention the extra preservatives used to keep the produce fresh. Now, think of what would happen if it was possible to expand farming projects locally so that it was possible to grow quality produce locally. Obviously this would need to be sustainable (but remember we’re already saving more water from idea #1). Ideally, the produce grown locally would be organic, or at least it would be grown with measured levels of pesticide.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #4: SET GREEN POLICE LOOSE
What if green police prowled the streets and slapped a fine on the spot. You throw garbage into the sea, you get fined; you leave excess lights on, you get fined; you water your garden in your morning, you get fined; you wash you car with copious amounts of water, you get fined. And so on.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #5: CARPOOL AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport is encouraged, and carpooling rewarded…for families, company staff etc. Carpool lanes exist in high traffic areas, and carpool lots offer nominal, or even free, parking. High tariffs are charged for second or third cars in a family, while lower fuel cost charges (at the pump, or through rebates) are offered to families and businesses that conserve.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #6: VIRTUAL OFFICES
Companies and organizations introduce truly ‘virtual’ offices to cut down on commuting. Staff can work at home and connect to the company remotely. Obviously this would not work with all types of jobs, but it can certainly work for a good many.
SURE-FIRE IDEA #7: EXCESS TARIFFS
You have a big house, a big car, a big office? Well that means that you need more energy and resources to maintain your ‘big’ lifestyle. That also means that you would be liable to pay ‘excess tariffs’ to help fund other green programmes, kind of like the way it works with carbon credits.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN ‘SURE-FIRE’ IDEAS TO REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING’? TELL US.
