FaceGlobalWarming.com

It takes unimaginable amounts of energy to power the United States, and the needs is constantly growing. As global warming and fuel crises gain more and more public attention, people everywhere are now looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle. But this doesn’t mean rebuilding your home to run on solar energy, or overhauling your current lifestyle. There are plenty of small, simple things you can do every day to help reduce your household’s energy consumption (and even waste). Here are five effective changes you can make right now.

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is one of various additives used to oxygenate gasoline. These substances are blended with gasoline to reduce carbon dioxide emissions (MTBE also reduces other toxic chemical compounds in vehicle emissions). MTBE has been in use since 1979, primarily in response to the diminishing use of lead in gasoline.

In 1990, with the passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments (specifically Section 211), the use of oxygenated gas was required in areas with excessive levels of CO air pollution. These areas were primarily urban, meaning that huge numbers of individuals have been exposed to MTBE. The positive aspect of the blend of gasoline and MTBE (which is highly flammable) is that it allows a much cleaner burn and less environmentally harmful emissions. Of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) mandated by this act, over 85% contain MTBE.