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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#FFFFFF" size="7"><b><font color="#666666">ecological
awareness</font></b></font></p>
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<p><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#0000FF">*If
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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5"><b width="28%"><font color="#666666">Why
reduce waste?</font></b></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">Our planet is a source
of many resources, which we use in everything from paper plates to gasoline.
However, these resources are not being replaced at the same rate that
they are being used. The average person in the United States uses approximately
25 barrels of oil per year--over 80 million barrels are consumed each
day worldwide. Petroleum cannot be formed by the Earth at the same rate
that we are consuming it--this is why we are looking for alternative energy
sources. Our planet's resources are enormous, but they are also being
used up very quickly. Although trees are considered 'renewable resources',
logging has destroyed a large percentage of the rainforest, increasing
erosion and decreasing biodiversity.</font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5"><b><font color="#666666">Why
reduce carbon emissions?</font></b></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases (which are measured in carbon dioxide equivalents) are released
into the atmosphere when we drive our car or turn on an appliance. These
gases contribute to the greenhouse effect: they prevent solar radiation
from escaping the atmosphere, effectively trapping heat near our planet.
To some extent, this is necessary to keep our planet from freezing--but
accumulation of greenhouse gases leads to global warming. An increase
in world temperatures can lead to stronger hurricanes, higher sea levels,
and general climate havoc.</font></p>
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<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><b><font size="5" color="#666666">Why
reduce other pollution?</font></b></font></p>
<p><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Air and water pollution lead
to human illness and decreased biodiversity. Air pollution leads to smog...but
more importantly, it can harm our lungs and hearts. Breathing in too much
polluted air can even kill us. Pollutants are released from the atmosphere
in the form of acid rain, which harms property and unbalances ecosystems.
Pollution thins the ozone layer, which protects us from solar radiation.
The ozone particles also move closer to the Earth's surface. Once there,
they harm our lungs and prevent plants from effectively performing photosynthesis.
Pollutants often build up in the fat of small animals, working their way
up the food chain until they reach humans. </font></p>
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<table width="28%" border="0" align="center">
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<div align="center"><font color="#666666"><b><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3">about
this site</font></b></font></div>
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<div align="center"><b><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#999999"><b><font color="#666666"></font></b></font></b></div>
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<div align="center"><font color="#666666"><b><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">contact
me</font></b></font></div>
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<p align="center"><font size="3" color="#17A86A"><b><font size="3" color="#17A86A"><b><font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color="#000000">read</font></b></font>
<font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#666666"><a href="About%20this%20Site.htm" target="mainFrame" style="text-decoration:none"><font color="#808080">a
letter from me</font></a> </font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2" color="#000000">explaining
my reasons for creating this page</font></b></font></p>
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send me</font></a> an e-mail with your questions, comments, and suggestions
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