7 Easy Local Actions to Help Fight Climate Change

Climate change is an issue that will affect all of us in the future. Climate change was always going to happen. However, because humans have been emitting more carbon dioxide into the air, our earth has been getting warmer at a speed we have never seen before. As an individual, each of us can do our part to help climate change. We can do this by making small changes to our lifestyle. Here are some examples of climate actions:

1. Transportation

Cars produce a great amount of greenhouse gases. If you have the time, carpooling or using public transportations is a good idea. Or, if you are not going far, you could walk or bike. This is even better as walking and biking does not produce any carbon dioxide emissions. This also gives you an opportunity to exercise. All of the transportation ideas above will save you money which is always great.

2. Bringing a reusable bag, straw or cup to go shopping

Single-use plastics produce a great amount of greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the energy used to make one plastic bag, is equivalent to the energy used to drive a quarter of a kilometer. Some websites even say that this amount of energy is equivalent to driving one kilometer.

We are producing so much single use plastic. Australian scientists have found that 90% of the seabirds have eaten single-use plastics at some point in their lives. If we reduce the amount of single-use plastic being produced, this will not only save the planet, it will save the animals we share earth with. Adding on to that, bringing sustainable and reusable items to shop is an easy thing to do. All you have to do is remember to do so. I recommend leaving a reusable bag on your doorknob or leaving it as a reminder on your phone.

3. Eat less meat

This doesn’t mean you should go vegetarian. You need the protein inside meat to keep you healthy. What this means is that you could have meatless Mondays or eat at a vegetarian restaurant on the weekends. You can find some recommendations from this website here.

4. Donate or do a garage sale for old items

When you have old items that you don’t use anymore, don’t just throw them away. It’s better to give your items to the people in need or sell it to your community. This is easy to do, doesn’t cost you any money and helps the planet. There won’t be plastic packaging when people buy secondhand items and the items won’t have to end up in landfills.

5. Turn off the taps and lights when it’s not in use

This helps save energy and water. Even though many of us already have these habits, we do forget sometimes. If we keep reminding ourselves to turn off the taps and lights, this will not only save the planet, it will save your money when it’s time to pay your electric bills.

6. Buy more recycled products

An important reason for why we should buy more recycled products it uses much less energy. An example of this is it takes 95% less energy to recycle an aluminum than to create a new one. If you’re still not sure whether buying recycled products is a better idea, it saves water and money. Although some recycle products may cost more for you, it saves manufacturers on resource output. When you buy a pound of recycled paper, it saves 3 gallons of water! It’s a win for all!

7. Plant trees on Ecosia

Ecosia is a search engine that plants a tree somewhere in the world when you make 45 searches. Personally, I think this is the easiest action out of all seven because search engines are something that we use every day! Access Ecosia here!

The actions above are only some of the easiest things that we need to do. Even though we aren’t the government, if we each of us do our part by acting locally, there will be significant improvements for climate change.