Rising sea levels, searing heat, raging storms, ferocious fires, punishing floods, and severe drought have become inevitable. Perhaps, realizing that climate change due to global warming has brought about intense and damaging environmental changes. It is already threatening humans’ health, community, economy, security, and most importantly, the future of the upcoming generation.
So, as individuals, it only makes more sense to play your part and slow down the effects of global warming. But, how can you do it? Well, implement small but effective sustainable actions within your community.
Americans emit roughly four times as much carbon annually as the rest of the world, i.e., 21 tons on average. Of course, taking personal initiative cannot replace effective government programs, and you still need to actively move away from polluting fossil fuels to greener forms of energy. This article will highlight the best ways to fight climate change and ensure sustainable cooling.
- Reduce Emissions And Save Energy
Wherever you can, try to avoid driving as much as possible and choose sustainable modes of transportation like biking or public transport. Regarding long-distance travel, trains are more environmentally friendly than aircraft, contributing significantly to atmospheric CO2 emissions.
If you drive, remember that every kilometer you go faster will cause much higher CO2 emissions and costs. The CE estimates that every liter of gasoline your automobile uses releases 2.5 kilograms of CO2 into the environment.
Never leave your appliances on standby; read the labels on each one and adjust the thermostat setting for heating and cooling. You may save energy and, of course, it will also help you save money every month by using household equipment responsibly. Moreover, you can also check out the India Cooling Coalition guidelines with various commitments like the India Cooling Action Plan and other developmental goals that are sustainable and eco-friendly.
- Eliminate Food Waste And Opt for Plant-Based Foods
In the US, food waste mostly occurs at home or in stores. It mainly happens because people throw away leftover, stale, or rotten food items as they are no longer edible. An NRDC research found that up to 40% of Americans’ food goes to waste. However, you can reduce food waste by buying what you need, consuming leftovers, composting garbage, and donating more to food banks.
According to Project Drawdown, reducing food waste may prevent a staggering 70.5 gigatons of CO2 emissions, which would have a more significant effect than the reforestation of 435 million acres of tropical forest.
Consequently, going vegan can help reduce your carbon footprint further than switching to a vegetarian diet. According to research by the University of Oxford, even decreasing your high and low meat consumption may reduce your carbon footprint by a third. As a result, you can cut carbon emissions by 66 gigatons if half of the world’s population stops eating meat and avoids the associated agricultural-related deforestation.
- Shop Local And Buy Sustainable
Purchase seasonal and local foods to lower the carbon footprint of your diet. This way, you’ll support local small businesses and farmers while reducing the number of fossil fuels used for transportation and cold storage. Compared to traditional farming, sustainable agriculture may use up to 56% less energy, produce 64% fewer emissions, and support higher levels of biodiversity.
Or you can also try growing your fruit, veggies, and herbs as a next step. They are suitable for planting gardens, balconies, or even window sills. To engage others, establish a communal garden in your neighborhood.
- Dress Climate-Smart And Recycle Your Belongings
More than every international flight and marine cargo put together, the fashion sector is responsible for 8–10% of the world’s carbon emissions, and ‘fast fashion’ has bred a throwaway culture where clothing is swiftly thrown in landfills. However, you can alter this by wearing your clothing longer and buying fewer new ones. Instead of purchasing new goods you can use or Wear only once, look for sustainable labels and use rental services for special events. Recycle used clothing, and where required, make repairs.
Every year, the average American discards around 80 pounds of apparel. Fast fashion is wasteful but also impacts the environment when producing and delivering new clothing. Only a few shops offer recycling initiatives, but businesses like Patagonia will buy, restore, and resell your gently used clothes.
- Educate Others About Fighting Climate Change
In your contemporary culture, you can never underestimate the value of teaching others about climate change. You can quickly deliver your message through the use of a variety of platforms. There are always methods to inform people about what climate change is doing to the world, whether you do it through word of mouth or social media. By teaching people about the risks posed by climate change and what they can do to combat it, you may contribute to preserving the environment.
The most excellent approach to making a difference in your community is to concentrate your efforts on raising awareness about renewable energy. You may convince people to support the notion by explaining why using renewable energy is preferable to burn fossil fuels.
Conclusion
The climatic changes are affecting the planet more than you can imagine. Thankfully, there are always actions you can take to combat climate change. The first line of defense for the environment is you; thus, it is up to you to take action to protect the globe for future generations.
