When people become aware of the importance of climate change and want to do something about it, they often want to know what they can do about it. What simple actions can we do that will make a difference? There are a few things to say about this question whenever it is asked.
First, it’s important to recognise that climate change will not be reversed by personal actions. It’s systemic and far bigger than us, and so it’s the actions that we take together that are more powerful.
Second, it’s equally important to recognise that climate change will not be reversed without personal actions. Around a quarter of emissions come down to consumer behaviour, so there’s that to be getting on with. Individual actions also model the change, and demonstrate to politicians and companies that there’s a desire for change. So don’t let anyone tell you they don’t matter.
With that understood, what can we do? There are numerous lists like this one, and so I offer this latest one from the World Resources Institute as a reminder rather than anything new.
Exercises like this are worth repeating because climate impact is not well understood. As a climate action advisor to schools, I regularly meet people who are convinced that recycling is the most important thing they can do to reduce emissions. In a school context, it’s a fraction of one percent of total emissions. Do it, of course. But if it’s climate change that’s worrying you, you’ll want to start elsewhere.
Start with car travel and with home energy. Think about what you eat, and remember that what you eat is a much better question than how far it has travelled. The emissions from meat vastly outweigh the impact of transport and processing. If you can make changes on transport, energy and food, you’ll be making a difference.
- See also Drawdown, The Jump or Seth Wynes’ research for alternatives.
The Earthbound Report 