There is broad consensus within the scientific community that the climate is changing and that humans are the primary cause of this. Despite this, it seems like society never makes any necessary improvements to avert this problem. It can feel hopeless as if the issue is constantly mired by politics. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can start doing today to make a difference for the planet.
1) Advocate for Environmental Change
One of the simplest yet most important ways to help save the planet is to advocate for change. You can use your voice to raise awareness about issues, promote potential solutions and keep the conversation active. If you are a voter, you can support politicians who take climate change seriously. If not, you can share your thoughts about issues. You may not be able to change minds overnight. However, simply talking about the problems that we face can encourage others to start thinking about them more actively.
2) Eat More Sustainably
Another surprisingly powerful option is to be more thoughtful about how you eat. You may not realize it, but a large amount of energy is expended on and emissions created by producing food. While everyone has to eat, there are varying degrees of impact. Unfortunately for meat lovers, eating a plant-based diet is proven to be more environmentally friendly. Of course, you don’t have to switch cold turkey. Even incremental changes can have a big impact for the planet. Also, try sourcing foods from closer producers. Food transportation is also a major issue.
3) Get Greener Energy
Many of us aren’t ready to live off the grid without electricity. Fortunately, there are some easier options. You could invest in a solar power system for your home. Again, you don’t necessarily need to switch completely over. Even small changes can make a difference. If green energy production isn’t an option for you, consider looking into a green energy provider. Depending on where you live, you may be able to opt to buy your electricity from environmentally conscious sources.
4) Reduce; Reuse; Recycle
Consumption is a significant factor in the climate crisis. Try following the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle. They are ordered that way to reflect their different levels of impact. Reducing the amount of stuff that you use is the best way to help the planet. If that isn’t possible, try reusing items more often. Finally, whenever possible, recycle the things you cannot reuse. This is a lot easier than you may think. Try setting up a system in your home to help you cut down on consumption and recycle whenever that isn’t possible.
5) Travel Responsibility
We all have places to go and people to see. However, much like eating more sustainably, there are varying degrees of impact related to travel. The best thing you can do is travel less often. Interestingly, it is often short distance but frequent travel that is the worst contributor to emissions. Try combining local trips to minimize the amount of travel you need to do. When you have to travel, try using more efficient options such as public transportation. You can also invest in an efficient vehicle such as an electric car. However, keep in mind that producing a new car also creates environmental damage. So, it is usually best to only make the switch when you would by buying a new car anyway.
6) Support Organizations Working for Change
Finally, you can provide financial support to organizations working for change. There are a lot of advocacy and policy groups that are trying to make a difference. Plus, there are various charities and NPOs doing active work such as protecting endangered species. Even small contributions to such organizations can make a difference.
Learn More Today
Discover more about saving the planet today. The changing climate could be an existential crisis for life as we know it. However, it is also a solvable issue if people are willing to do their parts.
This post was written by Finnegan Pierson
