Yes, a greater impact on the environment is only possible if corporations and governments revoke those detrimental environmental activities. But there are some incredible things we can do as responsible citizens of the planet earth. If one of us throwing plastics affects the environment, a personal decision to stop the throwaway culture would also help save nature. If air and sound pollution from one vehicle is bad for nature, taking public transport or walking whenever possible will help reduce pollution. Every action to change the climate crisis matters and will help save the planet.
Spread Awareness
Awareness is the first thing one should take to fight climate change. Make yourselves keep up with everything that happens around, which is directly or indirectly connected with the environment. Educate yourself and then those around you. Make people aware of energy deficiency, forest fires, overconsumption, natural disasters, temperature rise, resource depletion and so on. If it’s only one person attitude you can change or if it’s only you that changed, that is surely a desirable result.
The Three Rs for Nature
From seminars, social media sites and magazines, we hear about the three Rs to preserve the natural system — Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Do you know that when we start reusing and recycling products, it makes a considerable difference in climate change? It conserves energy and limits the exploitation of resources. If people practice the three Rs and change the purchasing pattern of people, then companies will be urged to stop over-extraction, resulting in a decline in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Save Water
Studies by the World Economic Forum suggest that this generation is going to face an unprecedented increase in water scarcity. We know that failure to rain, drought and overuse of water is the reason behind the shortage and we should be aware of the measures to protect our water sources too. We can stop the world from running out of the water by being more responsible. So, stop throwing wastes to water sources, and halt unnecessary use and overuse. Also, we can limit the usage and stop water runoff by increasing storage methods like rain harvesting and take advantage of modern-day technologies to avoid water leakages.
Sustainable Shopping
Let’s face it, what we buy has an immeasurable impact on the environment. This is the point where we seem to stumble upon because for many, shopping is a hobby and sometimes an addiction. A lot of products we buy are harmful to the nature. Therefore, our decision on shopping what and what not is of grave importance. Again, as responsible individuals, we shouldn’t buy animal-tested products, those mined out of environmentally vulnerable areas or from companies that over-extract natural resources, plastics and non-reusable commodities. For sure we should switch to recyclable products.
Go Green!
One must grow one’s own garden, I didn’t say this, Voltaire did. He sure meant it more in a philosophical way, but it is significant in every way for the present generation. If it’s possible, we should grow plants and vegetables of our own, which will give us chemical-free, healthy food and the more people make it to practice, the more it will bring down corporations that over-extract land for production. Essentially, we must try to purchase locally produced organic foods, thereby helping reduce pollution out of transportation and advance local productions. Also, taking up veganism or limiting meat intake is a big step toward tackling climate change.
Lights Off
Switch off the lights when you are not in the room! How many times did our parents yell at us for this one? Energy-saving might not be their best intention, but the results are of course good for the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by less usage of light bulbs. Energy-efficient bulbs like LEDs are better power-wise and last long. Switch to energy-efficient and high power bulbs that consume much less compared to others and are the best sustainable choice.
Plant Trees
Want more rain and water, want less heat, less pollution, and more fresh air? Plant Trees. A list on saving the planet cannot be written without telling about reforestation. It is the foremost thing to save and keep the biodiversity of the earth. Trees are the habitat of several different species. They store carbon dioxide and gives us amble fresh air, clear up toxic air from the atmosphere, pull down temperature, and give us rain. We know all the benefits of trees, but their significance right now is mightier than we can imagine.
Let’s not be the people who know the ways to save our earth but don’t do anything about it. Let us be the people who step up for a greater good for all including the generations to come.
About the author: Nivya Jayan is a graduate in Economics and a passionate writer. She is a reader for life, who is interested in politics and diplomacy.