Steps You Can Take To Help Combat Climate Change
Climate change is a serious challenge for the future of our planet, and we need to do all that we can to reduce the risk of negative impacts on our environment. Climate change is often thought of in terms of the global or national efforts to reduce emissions, but there are steps that individuals can also take to help combat climate change.
Table of Content
1. Recycle More Than Just Your Cans And Bottles
2. Reuse Things Instead Of Throwing Them Away
3. Avoid Single-Use Plastic Containers And Utensils
4. Use More Renewable Energy Sources
5. Cut Down On Household Waste
6. Plant Trees If You Have The Room
7. Create A Wildlife Habitat Garden
Yes, Climate Change Is Preventable
A crisis is upon us and there’s not much time to act. When it comes to climate change, the information is out there. The scientific analysis is clear: if we don’t act immediately, we are headed for an environmental catastrophe.
We currently have the knowledge and capacity to stop this from happening, so why aren’t we?
The answer lies in the way we think about problems as individuals and as communities. Our brains have evolved over millions of years to deal with immediate threats in our environment.
But they are ill-equipped for dealing with long-term issues like climate change. This leads us to make poor decisions about how we use resources like energy and food. Which has had dire consequences for our planet’s climate and ecosystem.
The good news is that the human brain can be rewired — through education and training — so that it can better deal with problems like these. Climate scientists need to start thinking like psychologists.
Then they may better communicate their findings on climate change. This will be in ways that will resonate with people who don’t have a science background or training in climate science.
Recycle More Than Just Your Cans And Bottles
Did you know that recycling more than just your cans and bottles is essential to reducing global warming? It helps conserve natural resources, protect wildlife, and preserve human health.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, every ton of recycled material conserves three times as much energy as it takes to produce a ton of new paper from wood pulp.
Recycling also prevents air pollution since recycling one aluminium can could save enough energy to run a TV for three hours or a computer for two hours.
In fact, recycling just one aluminium can save enough energy to light a 100-watt bulb for up to six hours, according to the EPA.
You can also recycle other materials besides cans and bottles such as plastic bags, glass containers and newspapers and magazines. All these items are recycled into new products such as clothing, carpeting, and furniture.
Recycling is the single best way to reduce your carbon footprint. The process of making new products from recycled materials requires 75% less energy than making them from raw materials. And saves enough water for 2 months of showers.
Reuse Things Instead Of Throwing Them Away
You’ve probably heard the saying “reduce, reuse, and recycle”. You may have even said it to yourself before. Yet you wonder why this never seems to happen.
It’s because the steps are so simple that you don’t even think of them as actions you need to take.
The first step is to reduce what you buy. This means you need to look at each purchase and ask yourself if you really need it. If the answer is yes, you can move on to the next step.
If not, then maybe it’s time to reconsider whether you really need that item.
The second step is to reuse the things you already have in your home. For example, instead of buying a new sponge every few months when it starts to get gross. Just wash it out with dish soap and let it dry completely before using it again.
Another example would be reusing plastic grocery bags by storing them for later use or putting them in your car as a trash bag.
The third step is recycling anything that can be recycled. This includes paper products like newspapers and magazines. But also, plastics like pop bottles and milk jugs.
You can also recycle glass bottles and jars by taking them back to a grocery store or another kind of business where they recycle them for you.
Avoid Single-Use Plastic Containers And Utensils
Plastic pollution isn’t just filling our oceans. It’s destroying our earth and the planet on which we live. Plastics have been great for our planet and our economy, but they are now destroying our environment.
Plastic has helped to reduce food waste and conserve energy by reducing spoilage, as well as helping with hygiene and sanitation. But plastic can also be a source of problems when it isn’t properly disposed of or recycled.
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats facing our oceans today — and it’s not just fish or seals that are suffering because of it. Plastic pollution is harming all life forms on earth, including humans.
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The problem with single-use plastics is that they are used once and then thrown away, meaning that they end up in landfill sites where they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.
If you’re concerned about plastic pollution, then you should take steps to try and reduce your use of plastic containers and utensils.
A reusable coffee cup is an easy way to cut down on single-use plastic cups when you’re out for breakfast or lunch. You can get them from most supermarkets or shops and some cafes even offer discounts if you use them!
Straws are another common form of single-use plastic that we should try to avoid as much as possible. When you’re ordering a drink at a bar or restaurant ask if there are any alternatives available such as a metal straw.
Use More Renewable Energy Sources
Almost all countries across the globe have a large number of power plants that use coal, oil, and nuclear fuels to provide energy for their citizens. But these same countries need to do something about the pollution caused by these power plants that also increases the carbon dioxide emissions in our atmosphere.
Many countries have started to use renewable energy sources like solar, wind and hydro to produce electricity. This type of energy is a clean source of power, and it does not pollute the environment.
Solar energy is one of the best forms of renewable energy because it does not produce any carbon dioxide emissions when used. Solar panels can be installed at homes or offices, and they can also be used in large-scale projects such as solar farms that are built near cities and towns.
Wind turbines are another great way to generate electricity without polluting our environment. These tall structures can be seen in many places around the world, including deserts and ocean shores.
Wind turbines convert wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can then be converted into electrical energy.
Hydroelectricity (hydro) is another clean way to generate electricity by using moving water from rivers or lakes to turn turbines that create electricity through generators. The excess water flows back into its original source after passing through turbines which rotate inside tunnels built near dams on rivers or lakes.
Cut Down On Household Waste
We all hate wasting money. It is a pretty universal statement. But something many of us aren’t aware of is that we also waste a lot of food, fuel, and electricity by using them incorrectly.
Using these products better can cut down the amount of waste your household produces and save you money.
The first thing to do is look at your energy bill and see where you’re spending most of your money. In most cases, this will be in heating and cooling your home.
One way to cut down on energy bills is to check for droughts around windows or doors. If you have an older home, it’s possible the windows may not be sealed properly and warm air leaks out during the winter months or cool air leaks out during the summer months.
Also, make sure all doors are properly weather-stripped so they don’t get drafty when opened or closed frequently.
You don’t need to buy every type of pasta for dinner if you only plan on making spaghetti or macaroni and cheese. If your family eats a lot of sandwiches, buy bread in larger quantities so that it stays fresh longer.
Leftover food doesn’t have to end up in the trashcan if you use it creatively. For example, leftover rice makes great fried rice or fried noodles. Leftover boiled potatoes make delicious roasts. And those leftover vegetables can be used in soups or casseroles.
Plant Trees If You Have The Room
Planting trees is a great way to save the environment. Trees can combat global warming, reduce pollution, and increase oxygen levels in the air.
The more trees that are planted, the better off the world will be.
Trees are an important part of any ecosystem. They provide homes for animals and plants alike and help absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
When you plant a tree, you’re not only making your yard look nicer; you’re helping to combat climate change.
Trees also help remove carbon monoxide from the air as well as other harmful chemicals such as ozone and nitrogen dioxide.
You don’t have to go out and buy expensive air purifiers when you can simply plant some trees in your backyard or on your property!
Another benefit of planting trees is that they protect against soil erosion by holding moisture in their roots and preventing winds from blowing away topsoil during storms or hurricanes.
If you live near a lake or ocean, consider planting mangroves near your property so that they can protect against storm damage as well!
Create A Wildlife Habitat Garden
Gardening outdoors can be a fun and rewarding way to spend your free time, even if you only have a small garden. The health benefits are another bonus.
There’s nothing better than taking care of something that is growing and blooming, especially in the area where you live.
Gardening is one of the oldest hobbies and by creating a wildlife habitat garden, you’ll be providing food and shelter for various animals in the area as well.
Whether you have a small yard or a large one, it can be used as a habitat for wildlife. Gardeners and landscapers have been doing this for years, but you don’t need to be a professional to create an outdoor space that is safe and comfortable for animals.
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A wildlife habitat garden is basically any garden where you’ve made it so that animals can live there too. This can mean adding plants and trees that they like to eat, or planting areas with food grown specifically for them.
If you’re not sure what plants are good for attracting certain types of animals, there are plenty of books and websites that can help you out.
Certain plants attract certain types of wildlife. For example, if you want to attract butterflies and pollinators, then planting flower beds filled with lavender, bee balm and other colourful flowers is a great idea.
If you want to attract birds, then planting larger trees like oak trees will be beneficial because they provide shelter for birds during the winter months.
Learn The Facts About Climate Change
Climate change is one of the defining global issues of the 21st century. A shift in scientific understanding has become the political football of our age.
Especially since the earth’s temperature hardly varied between 1910 and 1940 – a time when the world economy was growing strongly, and levels of fossil fuel consumption were increasing sharply.
The Earth’s climate is changing we have known this for more than 150 years and new evidence accumulates every day. Its clear human activities have played an important role in changing our climate.
And we need to understand how this will affect us to adapt and respond effectively.
But there has been a sustained campaign against accepting these facts from those who either don’t believe in man-made climate change or those who want to use it as a political football for other ends.
The debate about whether humans are causing climate change has been going on for decades. But it has only recently become so polarised that it is difficult to find common ground between people with different views on the subject.
Today’s climate change debate is dominated by two opposing narratives. One side sees climate change as a huge threat to humankind, requiring urgent action now. The other side sees it as a politically motivated scare story that will damage economies and cost jobs if we take it seriously.
The truth lies somewhere in between. Climate change is real, it is happening now. And it has serious implications for human health and well-being around the world.
But there is still time to prevent catastrophic changes if we make sensible decisions sooner rather than later.
There are many ways for you to help reduce your carbon footprint and slow climate change.
Your purchases have a huge impact on the environment. Think about what you buy and how it’s made, packaged and shipped.
Avoid disposable items like paper plates and plastic utensils, which generate large amounts of waste during production and disposal.
Buy products with less packaging. Look for bulk bins at grocery stores or farmers’ markets where you can buy in bulk without packaging. You can also choose to purchase products from companies that use minimal packaging (like many cosmetics companies do).
Use reusable shopping bags. Plastic bags are detrimental to the environment because they don’t break down easily in nature and often end up as litter or in our oceans where they harm marine life.
Carry a reusable bag with you when you go shopping and always take it with you when you go out, so you’ll remember it when it’s time to check out!
Reduce energy use at home by using energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, turning off lights when not in use, unplugging chargers when not charging and keeping the thermostat below 78°F (25°C).
Cars are one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in most countries — especially if they’re driven frequently and far. By carpooling, biking, or walking wherever possible, you’ll significantly reduce your carbon footprint. And remember that every mile you don’t drive saves gas!
Conclusion
The world is getting warmer, and the results are more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers. But you can help prevent climate change.
The most important thing to remember when trying to reduce your carbon footprint is that it’s not about making huge sacrifices.
If a long-distance bike ride sounds more difficult than you’d like, start small by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or try installing solar panels on your roof.
The more small changes we make, the better off society as a whole will be in the future. And if anyone complains that they have to go up two flights of stairs to get to their apartment, just smile to yourself and remember your helping to save our planet!