How to Help Climate Change – Everyone can pick choices that protect nature and fight climate change to help our planet. It’s clear we need to act fast.
If we don’t cut down on greenhouse gases soon, we’ll face even worse climate impacts. Already, the world is 1.2°C warmer than before. Every small temperature rise brings big problems like droughts, floods, and storms.
The goal is to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means every person plays a part. If we work together, we can slow down climate change and protect our future.
Urge Government for Bold Climate Action
Top climate scientists issued a grave warning in 2021. They said it’s our last chance to make big changes. These changes are key to avoid major climate chaos.
Canada needs to up its game. Our efforts are not enough to make a global impact. Our emissions have actually gone up since the Paris Agreement. The time to act is now.
Sign Climate Petitions
Signing climate petitions is a great way to push leaders for big changes. It shows them we, the public, want action. This pressure makes them more accountable.
Lobby Local Politicians
Don’t forget to talk to your local politicians. Ask them to make fighting climate change a top priority. Let your voice be heard in different ways, like during town halls.
Vote for Climate-Conscious Leaders
When you vote, choose candidates with strong climate action plans. Pick leaders who are ready to make serious changes. These changes will help our planet and our communities.
Use Energy Efficiently to Reduce Emissions
Canada uses the most energy per person in the world. But, you can cut down on pollution! How? By using less energy and saving money. You should switch your gas appliances for electric ones. Also, getting a smart thermostat can help control home temperature and lower energy use.
Swap Gas Appliances for Electric
Changing to energy-efficient electric appliances can make a big difference. An electric furnace, water heater, and stove reduce energy use. This decreases the carbon footprint of your home.
Install Smart Thermostats
Get a smart thermostat to manage your home’s temperature better. It works with your schedule to save money and reduce waste. Smart thermostats get to know your preferences over time, making your home more efficient.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Lighting
Switching to LED lights is a smart move. They use much less energy than traditional bulbs. Plus, they last longer. This helps you lower electricity bills and help the environment. When buying new lights, choose ones with the ENERGY STAR label.
how to help climate change
There’s a lot we can all do to fight climate change. Every action we take counts. Niklas Hagelberg of UNEP’s Climate Change team says we must aim for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is important for everyone. We need to change what we buy and use. Also, we should ask our leaders to push for a cleaner world quickly.
Consume Less, Waste Less
Focusing on life’s simple pleasures brings more happiness than shopping. Spending time outside, with family, or helping others feels better. It makes us happier and helps the planet by using fewer resources. We should share, create, fix, reuse, and recycle to start this journey.
Focus on Experiences Over Possessions
Memories from trips or learning new things last longer than flashy items. Choosing to invest in travel, classes, or time with family brings more joy. It also avoids the harm to our planet that heavy shopping causes.
Repurpose and Upcycle Items
Before throwing things away, see if you can use them in a new way. Repurposing or upcycling stuff reduces the waste we produce. It also cuts down the demand for new, Earth-harming products. Have fun with DIY projects or find treasures at thrift stores to do this.
Compost Food Waste
A lot of the food we make ends up wasted, which hurts the Earth. To stop this, buy smart, use every part of food, mind portion sizes, and store food well. Don’t forget to compost the parts you can’t eat. Composting food scraps makes soil healthier and cuts down on a gas called methane.
Support Indigenous-Led Climate Initiatives
Indigenous Peoples are leading in the fight against climate change. They know the land deeply. They have a strong link to nature. They also face climate change and environmental issues directly. Defenders of their lands and waters take big risks. They fight to keep their areas safe from harmful activities like digging for oil.
As supporters, we can do a lot. We can help, join in, give money, and stand by groups like Indigenous Climate Action and local defenders of the land. By backing indigenous leaders, we make sure their wise thoughts and solutions help the world deal with the climate crisis.
Indigenous Peoples have looked after the earth for generations. They have deep wisdom and ways to use resources without harming the planet. When we partner with and give to projects they lead, we use this wisdom. We help these communities act on climate change in ways that respect their cultures.
Invest in Renewable Energy Sources
Even without installing solar panels or a wind turbine, you can help the environment. Look for local renewable energy co-ops online. As a co-op member, you own some of the renewable projects and earn money. Talk to your financial adviser about these investments too.
Join Local Renewable Energy Co-ops
Local renewable energy co-ops let you support green projects in your community. By joining, you share in the co-op’s work and get a return on your investment. It’s a way to help grow renewable energy in your area.
Divest from Fossil Fuels
Show businesses you’re serious about fighting climate change by checking your investments. Make sure your money doesn’t support fossil fuels. Check your job, pension, school, or bank too. If they’re invested in fossil fuels, join or start a divestment campaign. This action can push them to choose more sustainable options.
Start Climate Conversations
We all need to address climate change together. It’s important to find common ground with those who might see it differently. By talking about climate change with friends and family, you can make a big difference. You are trusted more than experts by many.
Initiate Workplace Green Teams
Start by forming a green team at your job. If you’re not working, try making green agreements with your housemates. This way, you all can think of eco-friendly ideas and support each other. It helps in handling climate matters both at home and at work.
Join Community Climate Groups
Consider joining your local [community climate group] via the Future Ground Network, too. These groups are great for meeting others who care about the planet. You can learn together and work on projects that make a real difference in your area.
Mobilize for Local Climate Action
In Canada, cities influence about half of our emissions. Over 80% of Canadians live in urban areas. It’s key that we see the power of cities in fighting climate change. By working with local leaders, you can help a lot. Your role as a citizen is strong when it comes to local climate action.
Work with Municipal Leaders
Our online resource helps you connect with your local leaders. Together, you can bring big changes to your area. This might include bringing in more renewable energy or better public transport. Your involvement can inspire leaders to make significant moves towards a greener community.
Explore Local Government Climate Guides
Learn about your city’s or town’s climate action and sustainability plans. Many places offer guides for joining local efforts. Look through these to see how you can help. Knowing the goals and strategies can guide you to make a big difference.
Adopt Sustainable Transportation
Transport contributes about 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions. To combat this, governments worldwide work to make travel more eco-friendly. We, too, can help by preferring sustainable travel over using our cars.
Walk or Cycle When Possible
Walking and cycling are great for our environment. They offer free, fun ways to stay active and explore our neighborhoods. If you can, skip the car for short trips.
Use Public Transit
For longer journeys, buses, trains, and subways are smart choices. Many places are improving their electric transport systems. This makes public transit even better for the planet.
Consider Electric Vehicles
When you must drive, think about an electric car. They don’t pollute directly, lowering your impact on the environment. More and more, these cars are becoming an affordable and smart option.
Choosing greener ways to move reduces our personal carbon footprints. It also helps push society towards a more sustainable future.
Embrace a Plant-Based Diet
Eat more meals from plants – it’s good for you and the Earth. Currently, about 60 per cent of the world’s farming land goes to raising animals. This is more than what’s good for us. Eating plants can lower the risk of illness, like heart problems, diabetes, and cancer.
Producing plants uses less energy and creates fewer gases. It also helps animals and plants thrive. So, it’s better for the environment.
Choosing plant foods helps our health and the planet. It lessens how much we harm the Earth. Farming that mainly grows plants cuts back on gases that heat our planet. And it saves precious resources.
So, eating more plants is a smart move for everyone to fight climate change.
Engage in Sustainable Consumerism
To shrink your carbon footprint, think about your shopping habits. Buying local and seasonal foods is a big first step. It cuts down on the emissions from moving food far and the power to keep it cold.
Buy Local and Seasonal Foods
Eating food that comes from nearby and is in season connects you to your area. This kind of food doesn’t need as much energy to get to you, so it has a smaller impact on the planet. The best part is, it tastes amazing and fresh.
Reduce Fast Fashion Consumption
The clothes we wear can have a big impact. The fashion industry creates a lot of carbon emissions, more than planes or ships. Fast fashion makes it easy to throw clothes away. Shop for clothes less often and pick brands that are good for the planet.
You can also rent clothes for special events or fix up older clothes to last longer. This way, you’ll look good and help the Earth at the same time.
Conclusion
The climate emergency is a challenge for everyone. We must reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This means we all must make changes.
By changing how we live and putting pressure on our leaders, we help. We can ask for more from our governments. And we can start living greener.
It’s not too late to fight climate change. We need to act now. By choosing eco-friendly options and supporting green efforts, we make a difference.
Our choices matter. And when we join with others to push for big changes, we can do a lot. Let’s work together for a better, greener future.
FAQ
What are the key steps we can take as individuals to help address climate change?
How can we urge the government to take bold climate action?
What are some practical ways to use energy more efficiently and reduce emissions?
How can we consume less and waste less to help the climate?
How can we support Indigenous-led climate initiatives?
What are some ways to invest in renewable energy sources?
How can we start climate conversations and get involved in community climate initiatives?
How can we get involved in climate action at the local government level?
What are some sustainable transportation options we can adopt?
How can we embrace a more plant-based diet to help the climate?
How can we engage in more sustainable consumerism?
