Established by the United Nations in 1981, September 21st is officially celebrated as the International Day of Peace. This year, the #peaceday theme is “Climate Action for Peace” and focuses on ways that we, not just here in Reno, Nevada, but all across the world can help combat the international threat of climate change by making changes in both our homes and our community.
Let’s help make the world as comfortable outside as it feels inside with our air conditioners on, for all of the citizens of the world.
Let’s Talk About the Social Effects of Climate Change
Climate change doesn’t just affect the actual temperature of the Earth, it also has a great effect on the way people interact socially.
One of the ways climate change has a social effect is in the mass migration of people seeking to escape its effects - a rise in sea level, crop failure, and scarcity of water.
The majority of the people migrating come from Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia. Another social effect of climate change in more developed countries is that people are purchasing and using HVAC systems to create more temperate artificial climates.
This leads to an increase in the use of electricity as well. However, most newer HVAC systems were designed to be energy efficient. The lower fuel requirements also lower carbon emissions. When purchasing HVAC systems, look for seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) ratings.
How Can Programmable Thermostats Help?
Your home’s thermostat is one of the key areas where you personally can make a change in the climate change affecting our planet. The thermostat controls your HVAC systems - namely your heat and your air conditioning.
Most of them are either mechanical or electronic, however, homes with smart/programmable thermostats are on the rise! With a programmable thermostat, users can connect to the internet.
This allows the thermostat to identify algorithms, detect when people are in the home, and automatically use that information to adjust the heat or air to save both money and energy costs. In fact, research has shown that people who use a programmable thermostat save up to 30% on their heating and cooling bills.
Help Make a Change by Planting a Tree!
Not only is planting a tree a fun, family activity, it also can help fight climate change by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the environment. As each tree grows, it exchanges carbon dioxide (which it stores in both the tree itself and the soil around it) for oxygen.
They also can shade homes (leading to lower cooling costs), attract birds and other wildlife, and just generally look beautiful. Elevated carbon dioxide levels in the environment directly lead to an increase in the global temperature, one of the key symptoms of climate change.
If you have any questions about how you can help stop climate change by making personal changes in your own home, contact us here at 4 Seasons Heating & Cooling by giving us a call at (775) 210-1665. Making even one of the above changes can help keep not only Reno but our world in the best shape possible for future generations.
You can look for other ways to help fight climate change, like carpooling to work or even riding your bike more! Every little bit helps keep Earth safe for all of us.