A total of 2,000 small plants were being given away by Bangkok-based Greenpeace Southeast Asia to celebrate World Environment Day.

"Global warming is everyone's responsibility," said Uaphan Chamnanua, public outreach coordinator of Greenpeace Southeast Asia.

"Planting a tree or plant is the easiest and most economical way for each of us to participate in helping to stop global warming," she said. "In its lifetime an average plant can absorb a ton of carbon dioxide."

To celebrate the event, each country held its own campaign, said Uaphan. In Bali, for example, the campaign focussed on cutting the use of coal.

Thailand's financial district was chosen as the venue for the local campaign because "urban residents and workers, especially in the heart of the city, consume larger amounts of energy in a day than people in rural areas", Uaphan explained.

The free plants were accompanied by a tag that reminded recipients that one can be environmentally conscious even if one sits in front of a computer monitor all day.

The tag pointed out nine easy ways to help stop climate change:

1. A 10-minute shower uses half the water of a bath. Turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth can save 151 litres of water a month.

2. A power-saving bulb consumes 4 times less power and lasts 8 times longer than a fluorescent tube. Each power-saving bulb reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 4,500 kg.

3. A two-door, 400-litre fridge with the temperature set at minus-17 to minus-15 Celsius in the freezer and minus-3 to minus-5 Celsius in the lower fridge is best for power saving.

4. Set your air conditioner to 25 degrees Celsius. Lower temperatures increase power consumption by 5-10 per cent.

5. A flat-screen laptop consumes five times less power than a PC. Screensaver and standby modes do not save energy. A laser printer consumes less power than an inkjet printer.

6. Use a cotton tote bag instead of plastic bags when going shopping. Each year people around the world throw away more than 100,000 million plastic supermarket bags. Remember that reducing your trash reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

7. Wear organic clothes and use recycled products.

8. A plant can absorb a ton of carbon dioxide throughout its life.

9. Be a volunteer to stop global warming. Go to www.greenpeace.or.th.

Aree Chaisatien

The Nation