We can all save energy

(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-02-16 07:12

Each individual should do his part to stop global warming, says a signed article in the People's Daily. An excerpt follows:

Heilongjiang Province in China's northeast is witnessing the warmest winter in 56 years. The cause is believed to be global warming.

Other cities across the country have experienced the highest temperatures in decades. And the rest of the globe is seeing many other signs of a warming climate.

The latest report by a United Nations research group pointed out that the average temperature of the world would rise by 6.3 C by the end of this century if people do not pay enough attention to environmental protection.

Existing scientific research indicates that a rise of 3 C in the global average temperature could bring floods to over 7 million people in Asia and drag more than 100 million into starvation because of lack of grain.

As more countries evolve into industrialized modern societies from traditional agricultural societies, global warming is inevitable with the increased consumption of fossil fuel. Yet, saving energy is a responsibility of every person on earth. We cannot only rely on industry efforts alone.

It is, therefore, especially important to promote public awareness as well as knowledge of ways to save energy and protect the environment.

As a matter of fact, everyone can do a lot to help. The UN researchers say the energy spent on air conditioning in summer and heating in winter uses 36 percent of all energy consumed. If all of us are willing to switch off our air conditioners and heating for a while, huge amounts of energy will be saved.

There are many energy-saving products. Wide use of energy-saving electronic home appliances, according to the International Energy Agency, would cut down the total energy used by all electronic home appliances by 43 percent. But these products are not popular because of their relatively high prices.

To spend more to save energy or to buy cheaper energy-consuming appliances is more about faith.

(China Daily 02/16/2007 page10)