Today I’m posting a tip for a website called “breathingearth.net”. Click here.
The website calculates death and birth rates automatically. Just point your mouse cursor to a certain country. On the bottom of the screen, you will see how many people are born and die every second in that country. It also shows the total population in that country and on Earth.
I’d say that the most interesting piece of information it gives is the amount of CO2 emission. The website tells you the number of tons emitted by that country, per person and―finally—if the country is emitting more or less CO2 now than two years ago.
I conducted a quick search and could find only a handful of countries whose CO2 emissions had decreased, including Norway and some African countries such as Gabon and Nigeria.
The shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.
I don’t understand why people are not bothered with the ongoing climate changes and their effects on our world. I am amazed by the ease with which teachers make photocopies and print things on paper all day long at school. And I keep asking them: “use the back of the sheet, at least!” but they don’t listen to me.
Even the ceramic mug I used to keep in my cabinet has disappeared. I started bringing a small bottle from home. I won’t give up. I will start a campaign to promote the use of our own cups and mugs. We use dozens of disposable cups every day to drink water and coffee. Can’t they feel the hell-like heat that is already scorching us?
What can you do to reduce global warming?
Although some climate changes are already noticeable, all of us can do something to help decrease carbon emissions. For example: at home, we can switch to a greener type of energy, using light bulbs that can consume up to 80% less electricity and that last 12 times longer than the regular ones. Turning off lights when we leave a room and turning off electronic devices in stand-by mode is good not only for the environment but also for our wallets.
Adjusting the thermostat for your central heating by lowering the temperature by only one degree can cut energy consumption by up to 10 percent. When you replace electronic devices, make sure to buy the most energy-efficient model.
Reusing or recycling paper, cardboard boxes, bottles, cans and plastic packing is a responsible and caring attitude to take towards future generations—our little Princes and Princesses deserve this attention as well as a more sustainable world. Reusing the water from the baby’s bath in the toilet, and the laundry water from washing machines for doing other household chores is another way to make a contribution.
Whenever you can, try walking or biking or using public transportation instead of driving. If you need to travel by car, try sharing the ride. I’ve been doing it when I go out with my girlfriends and also when I travel with someone. If you are replacing your car, consider buying a “greener” model or downgrading to a smaller, more fuel-efficient model. This is what I plan to do when I buy my next car, because I still cannot live without one. Emptying your trunk by taking out anything that isn’t necessary can reduce fuel consumption by up to 10 percent.
Try to cut down on your air travel and, when you do fly, consider offsetting your carbon emissions. How about planting trees? On the Click árvore website, for each click, a new tree is planted in the Atlantic Rainforest. It’s easy and quick.
Anyway, there are many easy, simple, necessary and sensible things that we can and should do. Why not start making our contribution right now?
Image: from here.
A good option is to donate them to philanthropic institutions, such as senior citizen homes or to impoverished youth. Some manufacturers will take back their equipment. This is the case with Dell, which sends computers in good working conditions to community centers. The Pensamento Digital Foundation, in Porto Alegre, and the Computer Museum, in Sao Paulo, accept donations of computers, keyboards and mouses, among other things, and some NGOs and recycling companies, such as Sucata EletrĂ´nica, in Sao Paulo, buy televisions, computers, cell phones, printers, digital cameras and even electrical fences.
At the www.cempre.org.br website, you can find a list of companies that buy used equipment. Cell phone batteries can be taken to a carriers’ store or given to the manufacturer’s authorized service support network.
*Full version of the article written in collaboration with Bruna Menegueço, reporter, published in Gestão Empresarial magazine.
Read this post at the Guindaste blog: How to dispose of electronics?
Holiday spending is barely over and the list of school supplies has already arrived—and, what is worse: with a 15 percent increase! To avoid spending the rest of the year paying this bill, the first step is to reuse everything that is in good condition: folders, scissors, rulers, backpacks, lunch boxes and other items do not need to be replaced every year. When covered with some nice paper, that old notebook becomes new. Shop around on prices (use the Internet for this) and see if the school has any sort of special deals with any stores that provide discounts. Here are some other good tips for saving money:
- Leave your kid at home
It’s like going hungry to a supermarket: children in an office supplies shop only make the bill go up…
- Buy in groups
Get together with other parents and buy wholesale. Sometimes, this can reduce prices by half.
- Get away from toys
Name brand materials or those featuring a toy are usually much more expensive.
- Don’t be in a hurry
The least expensive options run out faster on stores. Hit the stores as soon as possible.
*Full version of article published in AnaMaria magazine.
Read this post at the Guindaste blog: Save money on school supplies!
Going to the supermarket hungry-less is number one law of any well prepared person. But, do you know that you spend less when you shop alone? Or when you take products from the shelves below? That and other care at the time of the shop, can reduce in, until, 30% your supermarket bill! Note down the tips of the financial consultant Reinaldo Domingos, author of the book Financial Therapy.
Write down everything
Before you leave, make a list of the missing products.
Keep focused
Do not stop in the sections that don’t have your listed items.
Go alone
This one’s for women with kids: kids insist in the superfluous and the husband isn’t patient.
Avoid shopping monthly
This way, you get the best week offers.
Search below
Usually, the products that are right in front of the eyes are more expensive.
Buy own brands
The supermarket brands are usually cheaper than the others.
Mistrust the offers
When you find promotions like: “pay 1, take 2”, check the individual price.
Turn blind in the cashier
The products near the cashier usually increase your bill over 15%.
Go to street markets and butchers
Buy fruit, vegetables and meat in street markets and butchers: the price is usually better.
*Uncut version of the published text in this week’s Ana Maria magazine.
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