Climate change is one of the global problems we are facing today. From increasing temperatures to more severe floods to loss of species, the adverse effects of climate change can be clearly seen. The wide-ranging effects of climate change demand urgent action on all levels from government to industries to individuals. While the policies and actions on higher levels are important, the collective effort of each of us can play a significant role in combating climate change. Here are some ways in which individuals can contribute and positively impact the environment.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Reduce the use of non-environment-friendly products like plastics as much as you can. Use reusable bags instead of plastic bags, use copper or steel bottles instead of plastic bottles, and use bamboo or steel straws instead of plastic straws. Make optimal use of things by reusing them as much as you can. Use containers and bottles for storing things, donate or give away clothes that you no longer use to your friends, family, or charities, and compost food scraps instead of just throwing them. And lastly, for those which cannot be of any use in the future, recycling is an effective option. Recycling helps in energy savings, waste reduction, and many more.
Conserve energy at home: Conserve energy at home by following simple everyday habits like switching off lights and appliances when not in use, turning off the tap, and using energy-efficient appliances. These things might seem simple but can bring a big difference in saving energy.
Embrace and use renewable energy: Switch to renewable sources of energy and embrace them for your home uses like solar panels or wind power(if convenient in your area). However solar panels are more convenient as sunlight is available everywhere and almost every day. So it will be more beneficial and sustainable to both us and our environment if we switch to clean renewable sources of energy.
Travel sustainably and in an eco-friendly way: Transportation is one of the big contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. So walking, cycling, using public transportation, and switching to electrical vehicles instead of conventional vehicles can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly in the long run.
Support eco-friendly products: While purchasing something, make a conscious decision of buying products that are eco-friendly and products that are locally made. While buying something look for eco-labels and certification, choose products with minimal packaging, and reduce single-use plastics.
Does following these steps mean the climate will go back to normal in a few days? NO absolutely not. But the contribution will be huge. The scale of climate change may seem overwhelming but still, individual actions collectively can have a great positive impact on climate change. By adopting these habits we together can create a sustainable future for future generations to come, conserve and preserve the resources of the earth, and more importantly tackle climate change.