We have suspected that the earth is warming for a long time. Now more than ever, mounting evidence is making this reality---melting ice caps, rising sea levels, hotter temperatures, and the list goes on. Global warming is becoming more and more an “in your face “type of problem. It is no longer thought of as something that a few extremists preached about. This problem is now mainstream. We often think about large vehicles burning large amount of gasoline as the main problem. While it is a significant part of the problem there are other causes and concerns. The air we breathe inside our homes and offices is also causing us problems both known and unknown.

According to Alan Berman author of Your Naturally Healthy Home Stylish, Safe, Simple, there are two factors that  have coincided to create much of today’s dangerous air quality. The first is the development of new materials used in home construction since the end of WWII. Cheap quickly built mass housing exploited the new, often lightweight materials and processes offered by the petrochemical industry. What wasn’t known at the time was that any of these materials release chemicals into the air -- -a process called offgassing.

The second factor has been the desire since the 1970’s to conserve energy consumption using mainly petrochemical products such as foamed polymeric insulation materials for insulation. This was coupled with the drive to seal houses tightly to prevent the loss of all the warm and/or cool air that is produced with high-energy costs.

How can you help save our planet? All is not doom and gloom. There are many things each of us can do to help. Recycling has long been proven to help in numerous ways and is something that we can all do. Other ways we can help are listed as follows:

Change your light bulb – not just a blown light bulb. Change the type of bulb that you use. Use a compact fluorescent light (CFL or fluorescent bulb) instead of a standard incandescent bulb. Did you know that (CFLs could last up to 13 times longer than standard incandescent bulbs? A 75 watt incandescent bulb is comparable to an 11watt CFL. New and improved CFLs give a warmer light and last longer than the older CFLs. (They no longer have a bad reputation.) The initial purchase of CFLs is higher than incandescent bulbs, but the long life and efficiency makes them cheaper and a better choice environmentally. Try to avoid excessive switching on and off lights since this will adversely affect their working life.

Use plants indoors to help absorb some of the carbon monoxide in the air. Plants are always working. Through photosynthesis, they convert sunlight into energy, give off oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. They also transpire through the leaves and roots and help modify humidity in the surrounding air.

Areca Palm
Pioneering research at NASA by Dr. B. Wolverton, supported by research in Sydney, Australia, has shown that plants can process and absorb many of the unhealthy substances found in homes that contribute to poor indoor air quality and lead to illness. The larger the leaf area, the better, although many smaller leaf plants can be effective as well. Dr. Wolverton’s research has shown the following plants to be the most effective all-around at counteracting offgassed chemicals and contributing to balancing internal humidity and most are easy to maintain:

*Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutecens)

*Reed palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)

*Dwarf date palm (Phoenix roebelenii)

*Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata’ Bostoniensis’

*’Janet Craig’ dracaena (Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’)

*English ivy (Hedera helix)

*Australian sword fern (Nerphrolepis obliterata)

*Peace lily (Spathiphullum walisii)

*Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

*Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

We can all help make this planet safer. Each week we will explore ways and/or things that can help make our environment safer.  The smallest change can have a big impact on our planet if we make the change(s) collectively. I once heard someone say that when we ask someone to throw something away, we should reply “there is no away”.

This article brought to you by A to Z Interiors of Raleigh, LLC.