The climate is changing rapidly- but are you doing anything to stop it? We need to save the environment and fight climate change now more than ever. The greatest threat faced by this generation and the future generation is climate change because there’s no Plan(et) B. We can’t just standby and wait for politicians to act and hope that they’ll make the right decisions because by then it might be too late. Waiting hasn’t proved to be an effective solution, with words so far being followed with little – if any – effective action. So, it’s more important than ever to take matters into our own hands. Small or big changes in the way you live your life can help reduce your own personal carbon footprint and encourage policy makers to act for the good of the planet.
Many people feel that the issue of climate change is just too vast for individual actions to really make a difference. We don’t agree, and have come up with 7 simple solutions on how you can reduce your own carbon footprint by making both small and big changes for your home.
Below is a list of 7 things you can do right now to help fight climate change.
1. Switch to renewable energy
With the plunging price of solar power, and an increasingly diverse group of companies such as offering new products, the toughest decision may not be whether to install, but which size or brand to place on your roof. The Energy Department has a good resource guide for homeowners, while Google’s Project Sunroof helps calculate the potential benefits of home installation.
2. Change light-bulbs to LED
Quality LED light-bulbs can last 25 times longer, are more durable, and use at least 75 percent less energy than other bulbs. It also contains no harmful mercury and use less energy to produce the same light output as other lamp alternatives, which reduce their impact on the environment.
3. Buy appliances with the energy star label
When you need to replace your appliance choose those that are Energy Star Certified. Energy Star products are more efficient, meaning they can help lower your energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Optimise your diet
Agriculture was responsible for about 16% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2013, while throughout the world, the global livestock industry produces more greenhouse gas emissions than all modes of transportation combined. That doesn’t mean that everyone has to become vegan or vegetarian – even a small shift in diets, with a reduction in meat and dairy products, and more plant-based foods instead, could reduce the pressure that the agriculture department places on the environment. Here’s a great list of ideas for saving food, including ways to be thrifty and smarter about storage and preservation.
5. Avoid plastic whenever you can
Plastic is the all-round material par excellence and is therefore present in almost every aspect of our lives. But the durability of the material is an advantage but also its disadvantage: it’s hard to get rid of it. Almost every plastic is produced from fossil fuels – and in every single phase of its life cycle, plastic emits greenhouse gases. Here are alternatives you can use to cut down on your consumption of plastic.
6. Plant more trees or your own garden
Everyone knows how important trees/plants are for the global climate as a whole but also the microclimate of a region. They “feed” on CO2 and convert the climate-damaging gas into oxygen, which is vital for our survival.
7. Shop Local
It’s simple, straightforward, and an easy addition to your routine while supporting small business owners and providing community jobs. Shopping from your local farmer’s market also reduces transportation costs and carbon emissions.
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