Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does Global Warming work?
   More than the normal amount of heat is kept in the atmosphere due to greenhouse gas, which causes the earth’s temperature to rise. This rise in temperature is what causes polar ice caps to melt, and ocean levels to rise. It’s currently a problem because the heat that's being trapped in the atmosphere is more than what the earth is used to handling. By burning fossil fuels, clear cutting forests, and polluting the atmosphere (which decreases the amount of heat escaping the atmosphere) humans become a part of the reason why global warming exists.
2. Why does climate change matter?
   Due to the increase in population and consumption, people are burning more fossil fuels, like oil, natural gas and coal. Over the last 150 years, there has been an increase in greenhouse gas buildup. Scientists predict that greenhouse gases contribute to rising temperatures, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. These factors have grave effects on human life, for example, a six meter increase in sea level would submerge a large part of Florida.
3. What happens if we don't tackle the problems of Climate Change now?
   We can expect sea levels to rise, animal specie extinction, droughts and wildfires, and deaths reaching 300,000 per year, all due to global warming.¹
4. What is a carbon footprint?
   A carbon footprint is the tool of measurement to determine the amount of destructive emissions your organization has left on the earth. The ultimate goal is to become carbon neutral. This can be accomplished by carbon offsetting, which can be done in a number of ways such as using green energy, or buying carbon credits.
5. What is the cap and trade system?
   An environmental system establishes a cap, which limits the amount of emissions factories can put into the atmosphere, typically a lower level than what they are currently emitting. The cap is then divided up into individual permits, which give the right to emit a designated amount. These permits take on financial value because there are companies who would like to produce more, but can't because they have maximized their output (due to the emission restriction). Plant A can then purchase permits from Plant B who emit less than the emission restriction which allows Plant A to increase production.
6. Is the government going to implement a carbon tax?
   It is currently undecided. There are two prominent solutions towards lowering emissions; the cap and trade system and carbon tax.
7. How can I help protect the world against climate change?
   There are numerous ways to protect the world against climate change, here are a few:
   
   a.   Replace your incandescent lights, with fluorescent lights; this lowers energy consumption by 60%.
   b.   Take a shower instead of a bath. A shower uses almost four times less energy.
   c.   When it’s nice outside, hang your clothes out to dry.
   d.   Start carpooling for work, errands, or social events.
   e.   At work, print your documents double sided, or set a monthly paper limit.

8. Who is the biggest contributor to climate change?

   "Typically more than 80 percent of the total energy consumption takes place during the use of buildings and less than 20 percent during construction of the same."

   -U.N.'s Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative
9. What is the government doing about Global Warming?
   Just recently the McGuinty Government set $220 million aside for municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
10. What separates Direct Energy Consulting from other Energy Companies?
    Direct Energy Consulting is on the forefront of this new, green era. With the energy intelligence of Direct Energy, and our team of environmentally motivated individuals, we have developed the best solutions that have the biggest impacts on climate change.

¹Climatecrisis.net