CALL TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE

Breaking down the Industries and practices largely at fault for the current climate crisis and what individuals can do to take action - by thinking globally and acting locally.

Words By Alana Huehn | October 13 2021

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has served a wakeup call for the planet. The dominant narrative is that us humans are “unequivocally” responsible for the warming of the atmosphere, ocean and land, causing climate change. We created it and if we don’t do something about it and do it now, the trajectory is bleak and by 2050 global temperatures will reach 2 degrees Celsius rise. Meaning catastrophic climate issues. Every fraction of a degree of warming avoided will reduce the amount of people and places affected. Unfortunately, some of the damage that has already been done is irreversible for centuries and even millennia, continuing to occur in the future. Already, the planet has warmed 1 degree Celsius and as a result we’re seeing extreme

weather, ice caps melting and sea levels rising. A dire and overwhelming forecast for the future where no place on earth will be excluded from the effects of climate change. As Dr Simon Bradshaw, the Climate Council’s Head of Research states, “it’s going to take everything we’ve got, and this may be our final warning… it’s up to all of us to make sure that happens.” The cost will be huge if we keep ghosting the scientist’s calls.

Take a pause because it’s important to know that our current global climate state has a lot to do with governments and private corporations, plus the elephant in the room – fossil fuels. The IPCC report stated that more than 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 1988 are produced from a mere 100 companies. The colossal power and damage caused by these companies are a substantial chunk of our situation. Mitigating climate change requires a huge global effort in reducing greenhouse gas emissions like co2, methane and nitrous oxide, as well as actively repairing and restoring our planet’s environment.

What can you do about it? Without thinking you have to become the next Greta Thunberg to truly make a difference to climate change, there are environmental and sustainability practices that you can incorporate into your life that will help. Individuals can exercise their rights as citizens and consumers by thinking global and acting local. Our participation or apathy to climate change determinesour future. This is not only for the environment, it’s also about making sure humans continue to live in a world that is safe and sustainable. We are truly fighting climate change for each other.

Green your commute

The quickest road towards reducing emissions right now is in the daily decisions you make to move from one place to the other. Going car-free is the most effective action an individual can make for the environment, and has physical and health benefits too. By walking, cycling, using public transport or car sharing options, you are making a positive step to reduce climate change. However, if needing a car is your reality, think and act on using it less often, if possible. When in the market for a new car, opt for an electric or hybrid vehicle. With less overall running costs, they are a win-win for the environment and you’re back pocket. Besides reducing car emissions, limiting your air travel will also bring you brownie points. When flying is unavoidable though, it’s helpful to pay a little extra for carbon offsetting.

If cattle farming was considered its own country, they would be the third largest greenhouse gas producer in the world after China and the US. Mind blowing isn’t it!?

Go vegan

The decisions we make about the food we eat effect the climate immensely. Right after fossil fuel emissions, meat and dairy farming are the biggest greenhouse gas emitters globally. If cattle farming was considered its own country, they would be the third largest greenhouse gas producer in the world after China and the US. Mind blowing isn’t it!? To raise animals, vast amounts of land, food, water and energy are needed. Consequently, massive amounts of methane are released and get trapped in earth’s atmosphere. It’s undeniable that the industry is exploitative of the billions of animals that are crammed into tinypens for human consumption, and despite what marketing may claim, there is no humane way to kill an animal. Eating a high fibre, plant-based diet or vegan diet is better for your health and it’s without a doubt better for the environment. Choose fresh, seasonal organic produce that is grown locally to help reduce the carbon emissions from transportation, preservation and prolonged refrigeration. Switch to oat milk which has the smallest carbon footprint out of all plant-based milk and leave milk to baby cows, where its solely intended. You can also raise your green thumb by growing your own vegetable and herb garden in your backyard, balcony, or in a community garden. Whatever you do, just eat real plant-based food and don’t waste it.

Make deliberate fashion choices

Next up in the world’s biggest polluters is the fashion industry. Fashion is responsible for 10% of total global greenhouse emissions, mostly due to the energy used in production, manufacturing and transportation. It’s also a major contributor to water, air and soil pollution, deforestation and water consumption. Besides the ethical question of, “who made my clothes?”, the subsequent question to ask is, “what are my clothes made of?” Sustainable fashion comes down to fabric choice. The type of fabric used will determine how much environmental degradation it ends up causing, from farming or fossil fuels used as raw materials, the chemicals used to turn it into fibre and the end-of-life scenario for its ultimatedisposal, or natural decomposition. The cream of the crop in natural, breathable and renewable fabrics are organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and linen. The best vegan alternative to silk that is environmentally friendly is lyocell which is made from wood pulp mixed with semi-synthetic fabrics. New leather-like fabric from mushrooms, algae and pineapple are also promising alternatives to animal skins. Recycled fabric is also great for the environment because co2 emissions are more than halved compared to when clothes are made from new material. Polyester, acrylic, nylon, spandex and other synthetic fabrics which are non-biodegradable and are derived from fossil fuels make it hard for your skin to breathe, may release toxins carcinogenic to your health and can cause skin irritations. Plus, every time you wash synthetic fibres, they release microplastics into the water. An environmental no-no.

What you buy will dictate supply. Buying only what you need and investing in sustainable, high-quality clothes and accessories helps reduce the stress fashion has on the environment.

Fashion has become too easily disposable. Families in western countries on average throw out 30kg of clothes annually, of which only approximately 15% is recycled or donated. The sad reality is that most of our donated clothes end up in landfill, either in our home country or third world nations who receive our well-intended donations and cannot sell or repurpose them. The earth is literally unable to sustainably get rid of the amount of clothing produced each year and this is precisely why you should break up with trends and the endless cycle of fast fashion. If your clothing is cheap, then there are probably human and environmental issues along thechain of supply that shouldn’t be ignored. Especially when most of the world’s lowcost and synthetic clothes are produced in China, Bangladesh, or India, countries that over-rely on coal and gas.

Most things that you buy online involve fossil fuels and co2 emissions to be delivered to you. By putting boundaries around your ability to purchase helps to eliminate buyer’s regret. Returning items at no cost is not technically free either, at least not for the environment. Try to purchase fashion as much as you can locally, or when ordering online consciously buy what you need from one outlet to limit transportation emissions. Choose to buy vintage or second-hand items and perhaps consider implementing a one-in-one out policy. Repairing your clothes extends their life, as does sustainably donating, selling or swapping them. When we are more aware of the lifecycle of things we buy, we are better informed to make the right decisions for the environment and us.

Cut your consumption

Everything we consume leaves a carbon footprint. Committing to being zero waste isn’t easily achievable in today’s ‘plastic’ world, but minimising your waste certainly is. The main point is to buy only what you need, use what you already have and recycle what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse.

When needing to purchase new items, consider buying in bulk or in containers made from glass over plastic, so it can be reused or recycled into another product. It’s estimated that plastic takes up to 450 years to decompose, that is if it does at all. Therefore, all the plastic that has been produced on earth thus far is still here in some form. Over time these plastics break down into tiny particles that scientists have discovered in deep oceans, Antarctic ice, in rain and even air. This is a huge issue for the environment and us, so much so we’re actually ingesting micro plastics in the food we eat and the water we drink, estimated to equate to the size of a credit card per year.

The climate issues have to do with consumption. So, in this ‘supply and demand’ centric world, the individual has control in the choices that you make, and where you put your money has power.

Single use plastics commonly found in take-away containers, straws, cotton buds, wrappers, grocery bags, service ware and cutlery are the most obvious culprits you should kick to the curb. When shopping, take with you reusable shopping bags and skip plastic produce bags by washing your produce thoroughly before consuming. By carrying your own reusable water bottle or coffee cup you’re saving hundreds of disposables annually going to landfill. Look beyond your kitchen and try zero waste alternatives for your beauty products like hair care and deodorant bars or compostable toothbrushes. There are many alternatives out there, you’ve got to just make it work for you. There is no right or wrong way.

Reduce and reuse your waste

By taking food and organic waste and composting it on a large-scale, we’re able to nourish one of the greatest contributors to the environment and our health – soil. Healthy soil is crucial for the ecosystem and plant growth. The healthier the soil, the healthier life on earth is. As an individual, you can reap these results on a small scale by composting your food waste at home and using the by-product to improve your soil and vegetable garden.

Landfills are not a sustainable solution for waste. They are the world’s third largest source of human-related methane emissions. Landfills last only between 5-20 years and once used up, leave the land virtually unusable for anything other than a nature reserve. They’re designed to bury rubbish, a Band-Aid solution that down the track causes environmental harm from chemicals and toxins leaching out into the soil and groundwater. Bacteria from the waste in landfills over time break down and continuously produce gases made from methane and co2. Unfortunately, even the majority of our waste sent to be recycled often ends up in landfill. So, to actively combat this, we need to be conscious about where something comes from and where it goes after you use it. Think about where you can reuse and recycle as much as possible. Know that that extra effort goes a long way.

Respect, repair and protect our environment

Trees are vital for the existence of life on this planet. They truly function as the lungs of the earth. Not only do trees reduce co2 and therefore directly contribute to combating climate change, but as a result of photosynthesis, they release oxygen into the atmosphere, the very thing that makes up the air we breathe in. We cannot exist without that and neither can the earth. You don’t have to plant a forest single-handedly to help the environment, any action you can take towards habitat restoration is a step forward.

With more of us living in large cities, green spaces such as parks and gardens sprinkled throughout urban areas are proven to help to lower levels of pollution, cool the temperature, improve animal habitats, absorb rainwater and reduce the likelihood of flooding. Nature needs our respect and our help to protect it. When you’re on a hike or at the beach, clean up anything along the way that shouldn’t be there. By doing what we can to conserve green spaces, or by planting your own garden, even if it’s on your balcony or window sill, you are part of the solution.

Put your money where your mouth is

How you generate your money and what you spend it on has influence. Align with your environmental values by investing in sustainable and ethical funds. Look out for Certified B Corporations which are businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance. Nowadays, companies that are listening to their shareholders and

placing emphasis on sustainability are seeing a rise in investment globally. Money truly talks if you want to make a difference to the environment.

Speak up

Make your voice heard by those in power and power up your voice to those able to listen. When elections come around, use your vote to amplify candidates that can make real change in preserving and protecting our planet. Use your democratic rights in calling out for change. Write to the government and tell them that climate change should be the number one issue, to put pressure on the most polluting industries and demand that they make renewable energy affordable and available to all. Do your best to lead by example and share your experience and point of view through conversations with family, friends, colleagues and whomever could use some encouragement. Social scientists have found that when one person makes a sustainability-oriented decision, other people follow. Collectively, with enough people working together, these actions can make a difference to climate change and the sustainability and liveability of earth. ■