By Daniel Casillas, MWN
Global warming continues to advance and its effects are starting to be felt more intensely. António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, has recently warned that the consequences of our failure to address the climate emergency are everywhere: extreme heatwaves, fires, floods and devastating droughts. And these challenges are only going to get more difficult.
Experts recognize that governments and authorities have a great responsibility in combating global warming and that society should pressure them to do more.
“They are the ones who have the power to change and create laws, regulations and taxes that will steer the rest of society in the right direction. But we all need to push and help them to make the right choices,” Ingmar Rentzhog, CEO and founder of We Don’t Have Time, explained to Metro.
Although governments do have a great responsibility in caring for the environment, we must also take action to combat global warming.
Kathryn Kellogg, founder of Going Zero Waste, a lifestyle website dedicated to helping others live a healthier and more sustainable life, concluded:
“There are so many different things people can do (to combat global warming), you just have to start!”
Metro sat down with Greg McDermid, professor at the Department of Geography, University of Calgary, Canada, to learn more.
1.- Think about what you’re eating.
Experts say that confronting climate change will ultimately require adjusting our diets and that what you eat is more important than where it comes from. Eating lower down the food chain – or eliminating meat or dairy entirely – is one of the most effective carbon-cutting changes you can make in your household.
2.- Think about transportation choices.
Start by biking, carpooling, and taking public transportation as often as possible. Live car-free if you can. If driving is a must, focus on fuel consumption. Many people are unaware of the major role of air transportation in carbon emissions. Cutting just a single long-haul flight from your family travel plans can cut the emission equivalent of the average car driven for months. Consider vacationing locally.
3.-Think about the contributions of your home.
Heating and cooling is far and away from the leading cause of residential energy consumption in most countries. Any actions you can take to lower household heating and cooling demands will help lower emissions. Lots of places have local financial incentives to help homeowners with retrofits designed to increase energy efficiency.
4.-Think about what you throw out.
I’m sure everyone is aware of the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. What many don’t know, though, is that much of what you recycle ends up in landfills. So focus on the reduce and reuse part.
5.-Think about who you can influence.
This is really the most powerful one. Educating yourself from credible sources, teaching those around you, and then taking action. Once again, individual actions lead to collective behaviors.
