The fact that the climate crisis is “inevitable and irreversible”, as emphasised by the recent IPCC Report, is undeniable. However, that shouldn’t be our call to throw in the towel and continue living with our failure. There is a need for individuals and businesses to take bolder action in limiting the extent we contribute to climate change.
Our current levels of destruction will take hundreds, or even thousands, of years to return to normality, even if we immediately halted our destructive activity. This is a point emphasised by our oceans, with melting ice caps causing rising sea levels resulting in significant destruction to communities and livelihoods. It will likely take centuries, even if we immediately cut our emissions, before we start to see a gradual move towards former sea levels.
This does not, however, mean there is no hope in preventing and reversing further extreme or even uninhabitable damage to our planet. By limiting rising temperatures below the globally held 1.5C target, we can work against climate change at all levels, meaning that our current destruction can be limited before it becomes unliveable.
Yes, absolutely. To bring about the global change we need global solutions, and these must come from the mobilisation of world governments. It is integral as citizens that we first and foremost push our governments towards taking critical action; overcoming the core causes of our climate crisis.
Although individual sacrifices won’t solve the climate crisis alone, this doesn’t mean we can’t play our part in reducing our own impact and that of our businesses. Being engaged with the climate crisis, alongside seeing the devastating impact it has already caused, it is easy to want to reduce our own and our businesses contribution to it, and have a truly positive impact; especially when governments have failed to bring about change on our behalf.
First, we can all make changes in our daily lives, and this can start by asking ourselves simple questions. Do I really need to drive to the shop? Perhaps I could start turning that light off when I leave the room? Are my light bulbs energy efficient? Or for those running a business, you can start looking at ways to reduce your organisation’s impact, such as reducing your energy use or turning to more sustainable supply chains.
Making a significant reduction in personal and business emissions, or even becoming carbon positive, can be incredibly difficult and a long-term investment. For most of us, we don’t know where to start. However, there are various ways to achieve these goals. For instance, you can offset your carbon emissions by supporting projects that reduce global carbon emissions, such as providing energy-efficient stoves or preventing methane pollution from landfills. Additionally, you can plant trees that will continue absorbing carbon for the coming decades, whilst also supporting the development of natural habitats in which biodiversity can thrive.
By looking at ways to reduce your emissions and supporting such projects, you can play your part in achieving carbon neutrality or even carbon positivity. Although we are desperate for global government action, we all must start to take responsibility for our own carbon footprints.
here are a number of steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and work towards becoming carbon neutral or even carbon positive. One of the most impactful things you can do is reduce your energy consumption. This can be done in a number of ways, such as turning off lights when you leave a room, using energy-efficient light bulbs, and adjusting your thermostat to use less heating or cooling. You can also reduce your energy consumption by using appliances less frequently or investing in energy-efficient models.
Another way to reduce your carbon footprint is to minimize your transportation emissions. Consider walking, cycling, or using public transportation whenever possible, and try to combine trips or carpool with others to reduce the number of individual trips taken. If you must use a car, consider investing in a hybrid or electric vehicle.
In addition to these steps, you can also offset your carbon emissions by supporting projects that reduce or capture carbon, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. This can be done through organizations that specialize in carbon offsets, which typically calculate your carbon footprint and offer ways to offset your emissions through a financial contribution. You can also consider supporting local organizations that work to protect natural habitats, promote renewable energy, or advocate for climate action.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and work towards becoming carbon neutral or even carbon positive. While individual actions alone may not be enough to solve the climate crisis, they can contribute to a larger movement towards reducing emissions and working towards a more sustainable future.
