Slowdown global warming everybody can help

1. Climate change and the implementation of a carbon neutral economy

Citizens, scientists, companies and institutions are fighting to stop the temperature from rising by 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to 1880 (the first year with reliable and regular temperature records).  

How can we limit the rise in temperatures? By emitting the same amount of carbon dioxide (hereinafter CO2) into the atmosphere as is withdrawn.  In other words, by achieving a zero net emissions balance.

The energy transition requires expensive technology and breakthrough projects that will not always be successful. To compensate for the risk inherent in this "energy revolution", European Union, through the Next Generation Funds, is committed to financing it by providing a return horizon. This is why more and more individual investors of different profiles and investment fund managers are thinking of getting involved. 

It is essential to point out that the above refers to building a carbon neutral economy on a large scale. Here we are referring to setting up a wind or photovoltaic farm, not just installing solar energy in a homeowner's community. The latter is explained by Finques Feliu, Adymus and Movinhood in the webinar: "Solar energy and energy savings at home" which you can access here (video in Catalan).   

Given that the goal of someone who invests is to make profits and not to do philanthropic works that private funds promote clean and renewable energies is the best guarantee to believe in its profitability.

On the other hand, it should never be forgotten that real estate and construction are key to global warming.

2. Let us know what the greenhouse effect is and which gases cause it.

Greenhouse effect, as illustrated by Oxfam, occurs when: "the solar energy received from natural solar radiation cannot return greenhouse gases" (hereinafter GHG) to space. 

 Beyond carbon dioxide: the complete list of GHGs

"a) Water vapor: it is natural, the more heat the more evaporation, therefore, more water vapor in the atmosphere.

b) Carbon dioxide (CO2): it is the main responsible for the greenhouse effect. It arises from the use of fossil fuels in industry and transportation.

c) Methane (CH4): its origin is found in the fermentations produced by bacteria.

d) Nitrous oxide (N2O): it is caused by the use of nitrogen fertilizers in intensive agriculture.

e) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): compounds with multiple applications: refrigeration systems, aerosol components, production of aluminum and electrical insulators, etc.".

f) Tropospheric ozone (O3): originated by the burning of energy sources.

Source: Acquae Foundation

3. GHG emissions directly attributable to the construction of the dwelling and to it once it is erected

In the overall economy: "two-thirds of total global GHG emissions are linked to the way energy is produced and used". Source: International Energy Agency.

In the headline we mention housing construction as an emissions generator, and "steel and cement are responsible for 31% of global GHG emissions". Source: "How to avoid a climate disaster".

Since we have a passive house our emissions are reduced to almost zero. However, building is a process that starts from the foundations, during which GHGs are emitted. So should we give up on passivhaus? Absolutely not.

Once a house is built, even if it is not passive, it emits GHGs because it consumes energy, for example, by pressing a switch, turning on the heating, the television or electrical appliances.

In the specific case of housing, the link between energy and emissions is compounded by the fact that 75% of buildings in the European Union are inefficient. Spain is not an exemplary pupil: the average rating of housing is "E" (the worst rating is "G"), to which must be added the fact that the stock of housing and premises emits 29,000 tons of GHGs.

4. How can I fight global warming from home?

It is possible that with what you have read you think that your contribution to the fight against climate change will have an imperceptible impact.

At the end of the day you will say: "I am neither a company nor a government, I am not part of the real estate sector and even less of an investment fund". Nothing could be further from the truth: the fight against climate change begins at home.

Here are ten practical tips that, with little effort and at little cost, you can do without leaving your home.

1. Heat and use water sparingly: each additional degree means an additional 7% of additional energy . Do not leave the tap running while showering or brushing your teeth, use the cold water for the toilet and the cooking water for watering. It is also important to quickly repair a dripping faucet.

2. Recycle and reuse everything you can: separate garbage according to each type and give a second life to clothes and shoes. Know where the green points are so that they treat the waste correctly and don't forget to print double-sided documents. 

3. Organize the food in the fridge: we put you this link where several chefs indicate how to minimize energy consumption in the fridge and, incidentally, promote the conservation of food.

4. Buy with your own reusable bags: this will allow you to consume less plastic.

5. Do not buy packaged meat: polystyrene trays cannot be recycled and are very harmful to the planet.

6. Turn off lights and unplug appliances so that they are not left on stand-by: hidden consumption can be up to 15% of the electricity bill.

7. Do not use deodorants, cleaning products, cosmetics or paints that do not respect the environment: we have already mentioned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are spread through aerosols.

8. Give up plastic or PVC bottles: by now, everyone has heard that "by 2050, there will be more plastic in the seas than fish". To safeguard the water - and our blood from microplastics - eliminate their purchase and that of any of their derivatives.

9. Rebalance your consumption choices: having a product you ordered online delivered to your home is great.... If it were not for the fact that the packaging of goods has a high environmental impact (which is maximized in case of return of the purchased item). On the other hand, from an ecological point of view, betting on fair trade means knowing the traceability and impact of the production and distribution of the good in question.  

10. Choose a smartphone with ecological criteria: today, assembling a smartphone is not ecological - it may well never become so. However, the production of the various models has a different impact on the environment. This is where "ecorating" comes into play, we recommend you use this smartphone manufacturing scoring system.

Let's go everyone can fight against global warming!