Editorial: You can make a difference on climate change
Fifth in a series
We tend to think of climate change as a monumental global challenge that can be reduced only by the concerted efforts of nations, and certainly, a commitment by governments and international corporations is essential to the planet's response.
But each of us as individuals can have an impact too, not just because of the effects of our personal efforts, but also because our positive or negative behavior influences those around us more than we may realize.
"In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket," Canadian geneticist and environmentalist David Suzuki says, "but with enough drops, we can fill any bucket."
What can any of us do? Our first recommendation is to complete a carbon footprint calculator to determine how much carbon your family is contributing to the environment so you can determine some simple and for the most part inexpensive ways to reduce it. Several of these calculators are available on the internet and almost all of them are credible and useful. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has one at www.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator. If you don't use a computer, request information from: Climate Change Division, Office of Atmospheric Programs (MC-6202A), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
You also can find several articles on the internet with suggestions of what an individual can do to combat climate change. Some are more doctrinaire than others, but if you take the time to go through some of these articles, you can decide for yourself what sounds practical and doable for you.
Among those to consider, a 2017 article "How You Can Stop Global Warming" with 101 suggestions from the environmentalist Natural Resources Defense Council; a 2018 article "Top 10 Things You Can Do About Climate Change" from the environmentalist David Suzuki Foundation; and a 2017 Forbes article, "9 Things You Can Do About Climate Change;",
What can any of us do? Above all, become informed, and then casually talk about it with friends, neighbors, colleagues and family - not just about your concerns but more importantly, about what you're doing personally.
This may be the most important thing you can do. You don't need to lecture or to be preachy; in fact, that approach may in some circumstances be counterproductive. You just need to drop the topic into conversations. Approach this as a topic the way a good parent approaches conversations with his or her kids about drugs: A specific sit-down occasionally perhaps, but mostly, the little references you make as part of everyday conversation that reinforces how you incorporate this challenge into your lifestyle.
A few basics:
Transportation is a big contributor to greenhouse gases. Drive less, fly less, if you can. When you buy a car, make high-mileage a priority, consider hybrids or electric-powered vehicles. Avoid running your car in idle. Don't run the air conditioning unnecessarily. Minimize purchases that require international shipping; in part, that means buying fruits and vegetables in season when they're more apt to be available domestically.
It's no joke that livestock contributes significantly to greenhouse gases. You don't necessarily have to become a vegan, but even a reduction in the amount of meat and dairy you include in your diet can have a big impact. Gradual moderation is a practical approach and one that makes a difference. At home, put on a sweater in the winter, wear a T-shirt in the summer, aim to run the furnace and air conditioner less. Turn off the unnecessary lights and use energy-efficient light bulbs. Take an inventory of all the devices that are plugged in all over the house, and unplug whatever ones you can. Look for the blue Energy Star label when buying appliances, furnaces and air conditioners. Power your home with renewable energy sources.
Remind yourself that as one person, you don't need to solve the world's climate problem. You just need to make a difference. And you can.