Humanity has been aware of the changing climate and our impact upon the planet for longer than you might expect. It’s an issue growing in urgency as we begin to notice radical changes in weather patterns, animal extinctions, and spreading diseases. While the news, media, and social platforms might present these facts as hopeless and alarming, there is still time to improve our situation.
Why Should You Care?
For some people, thinking about climate change and the environment is too frightening. For others, it’s difficult to see its effects and therefore believe that it’s happening at all. One thing is for sure, however; humans are a part of the natural ecosystem, whether we like it or not. How we influence the environment and other species on the planet directly affects us too. Fortunately, we are intellectually and technologically advanced enough to try and reverse the negative effects.
Switch to Alternatives
Reliance on fossil fuels and other unsustainable fuel sources have been partly to blame for the situation our environment currently faces. Researching alternatives and adopting them into your life can be a small change that leads to something more significant. Find solar providers to help install solar panels on your home or look into other renewable energy such as wind or hydro. Setting this example might encourage your family and friends to do the same. Small changes can have large ripple effects.
Decrease Your Consumption
Another problem is over-consumption. This includes fuel, water, land, forests – all-natural resources we can use to advance society, which we have taken advantage of. Of course, we often need these resources, but over-using them and depleting them without regard for the impact this cause has inevitably led to the destruction of the environment. To combat this yourself, be mindful of what you buy and use. Single-use plastic, for example, is damaging our water supply hugely. Choosing more sustainable alternatives can make a small but lasting improvement overall.
Upcycle and Repurpose
A part of reducing your consumption can come from thinking of new ways to use the things you already have. Containers and clothes, for example, can come to the end of their initial purpose’s life but find new uses in other places and ways. This helps to reduce waste that ends up in landfills and causes methane build-up in the atmosphere.
Shop with Awareness
An excellent way to make meaningful changes is to shop with more consideration for the lifespan of your possessions and resources. Where was your food grown? How was your coat made? Think about the processes that led to your item being made and the processes that will take place when you discard it. It can feel overwhelming at first, but a little research goes a long way.
Small Changes Make a Difference
While climate change and the destruction of the environment is a huge concern, there’s no need to feel disheartened. Your actions may feel insignificant compared to the larger-scale problem, but your influence and example can pave the way towards a better, healthier future for humanity and the planet.
