Climate Change One Step at a Time
Tackling climate change one step at a time
The World Health Organization " WHO" has introduced a program called “Healthy Planet – Healthy Hospitals – Healthy People”. This program uses a variety of interventions to reduce CO2 balance. These interventions include sustainable/renewable energy sources, building design that promotes sustainability, switching to more eco-friendly transport options, avoiding waste, stepping up recycling efforts, more careful consumption of water, and switching food sources to organic, local food options. Despite the WHO’s intention, researchers Nikendei et al. (2020) identified only one country (Great Britain) to date that has incorporated this program within their health sector.
This example illustrates the nature of global warming and climate change as a difficult and challenging problem to solve. Although we appreciate the urgency of this issue, it can present as an overwhelming problem. Strategies to save the environment can appear complex and severe.
Therefore, this article provides some easy actions you can do today to adopt a more climate-friendly lifestyle. Here are some suggestions:
- Consider your modes of transport
Walk instead of drive. Take the bus to reduce your carbon footprint. Plan your activities around a singular trip where possible, rather than multiple trips.
- Offset your flight’s carbon emissions
When booking a flight, if the airline offers the option of a carbon emissions offset, elect to pay for that emissions cost. Better yet, choose to fly only with airlines who offer this offset. The airlines pass these carbon emissions offset fees on to organizations that fund climate-friendly restoration and regeneration projects.
- Reduce consumption
Think twice before purchasing products, particularly single-use, disposable products. If a product ends up in the landfill generating waste and producing more greenhouse gas through emissions, consider a substitute eco-friendly product. Be mindful of your buying habits.
- Educate yourself
Educate yourselves on the effects of global warming, climate change, and preventive measures.
Some good sources of science-based literature include the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Canada Green Building Council, National Geographic, and the Journal of Climate Change and Health, an open-access scientific journal.
You can also calculate your personal CO2 using a calculator (click here). The CO2 balance is approximately 2.5 t CO2e annually, which translates to around 6.8kg per individual a day.
The global goal is to reduce the personal CO2 balance to a net of zero (or better yet, a negative emission) by the year 2050.
- Eat more plants
Another easy way to reduce CO2 balance is to emphasize plant-based meals and reduce consumption of meat (Nikendei et al, 2020). Reduced consumption of meat provides various benefits. One health benefit is that less red and processed meat in our diet lowers our risk of cancer (Corse, 2014; Gonzalez & Riboli, 2010). Reduced meat consumption also has the added benefit of reducing methane emissions through decreased commercial farming of livestock.
- Switch off that light
If you leave a room, switch off the light and/or heating. This will also save on your electrical bill.
- Plant a tree
Scientists and researchers view forest restoration as an excellent solution to combat carbon emissions (Mader, 2020). You could support a non-profit organization whose aim is forest restoration/plantation. Or for those who love gardening, you could plant a tree in your yard. It’s that simple!
These are easy ways in which we can reduce our carbon emissions footprint and do our part to reverse the effects of global warming on the environment. A bonus benefit is that these solutions cost less. Look at it as saving the environment and improving your bank account. Regardless of how you choose to position the benefits of these actions within your life, it contributes to a significant global effort that improves the outlook for our planet’s future.