Battling Climate Change: How You Can Help?

After abusing and depleting the Earth’s resources for hundreds of years, we are now faced with the harsh reality of climate change. The planet’s temperature is slowly rising and causing more erratic weather conditions with this last decade being the hottest on record.

The time to act is now. Two artists have tried to communicate the urgency of this message by installing a ‘climate clock’ in Manhattan’s Union Square. This countdown warns that if our current greenhouse gas emissions do not slow down before the deadline, the damage we will have done will be irreversible. Given the looming window of opportunity to battle climate change, here are various ways that you can help.

1. Get Informed

Many contend that we are currently living in the age of technology and information. This is indeed a blessing, as we have countless resources available with the click of a button. Nevertheless, it is also a curse as we are subjected to a lot of disinformation and fake news regarding important subjects like climate change. Even President Donald Trump propagated the myth that climate change is a hoax. It is essential that you read up on the facts surrounding climate change. Look for reliable news sources and environmental blogs to keep up to date.

2. Take Action

Once you are informed, it is time to take action in whichever way you can. There are many different ways to understand global warming and to help battle climate change. You can ask your energy provider if they offer any services with renewable and clean power sources. In your everyday life, you should avoid driving when possible and opt for carpooling or public transport instead. Make informed food choices, such as eating less meat or purchasing ingredients from a sustainable soy production supplier.

You can also avoid purchasing fast fashion and try to buy second-hand pieces instead. Re-cycling old possessions is also a great way to help the environment as many discarded items end up in a landfill for hundreds of years.

3. Rally Others

Rallying others is one of the best ways to help tackle the climate crisis. Every small change can help make a large-scale impact on the environment, therefore the more changes the better. Open up a climate conversation with friends or family and try to shine some light on their carbon footprint. What can they do to reduce this? Don’t refrain from rallying some of the bigger players on the field too!

Companies have a corporate social responsibility and you, as a customer, have the right to demand change. Contact a senate or member of congress and ask them for support too.

We only have one planet so we must do everything we can in order to save it. Although attitudes towards climate change have been shifting in a positive manner, there is still much more that we can do. If everyone does their part, including large corporations and governments, we can all strive towards a more sustainable and greener lifestyle.

Recommended Reading: How to Mitigate Climate Change

Salman Zafar

Salman Zafar is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of EcoMENA. He is a consultant, ecopreneur and journalist with expertise across in waste management, renewable energy, environment protection and sustainable development. Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biomass energy, biogas, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management. He has participated in numerous conferences and workshops as chairman, session chair, keynote speaker and panelist. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability across the globe Salman Zafar can be reached at salman@ecomena.org

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