Global wildfires are expected to increase in intensity up to 57% by 2090 due to climate change
Climate change is becoming a very clear reality with unusual shifts in weather patterns happening all around the world. Just recently, we’ve observed wildfires in Canada, unprecedented heatwaves across Asia, and severe flooding in New Zealand. But climate change is not only impacting our planet through extreme weather events, it is also contributing to an increase in turbulence on planes caused by warmer air.
Over time, these types of events are predicted to surge in frequency. According to a United Nations report last year, global wildfires are expected to increase in intensity up to 57% by 2090 thanks to climate change. Scientists are even warning that 2024 could be the year that global warming exceeds 1.5°C for the first time. This is a worrying statistic, however, collectively we can all make a difference by making an effort to change habits in our daily lives. If we each drop our average emissions to around 2 to 2.5 tons of CO2e by 2030, we can help to preserve a climate that is livable[1].
Here are six simple things you can do to protect the planet:
1. Educate yourself
The first thing you need to do before embarking on your journey to help the environment is to educate yourself on climate change. Take the time to read articles such as the one you’re reading now, or visit helpful websites such as WWF, Greenpeace or the United Nations. After all, #It’sInOurHands to make a difference and before we can, we need to proactively learn how to do that effectively and sustainably. You’re off to a good start by reading the #IIOH website!
2. Use transport responsibly
Transport is one of the most polluting industries in the world and accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions[2]. Therefore, tackling this is very important when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. If you are considering your next holiday destination, have a look at places closer to home. One short-haul return flight can account for 10% of your yearly carbon emissions — and long-haul flights way more![3] By travelling by train you can cut down your carbon footprint a lot more than flying across the world.
For everyday travel, try to walk or cycle where possible. If this isn’t viable, use public transport or an electric car to get to your destination.
3. Adopt a more plant-based diet
Meat production causes more carbon dioxide than plants, and meat and dairy farming also use up huge amounts of water and food. Therefore, by switching to a more plant-based diet and eating less meat and dairy you can significantly reduce your impact on the environment. It’s easy to find vegan and vegetarian foods in shops and eating less meat will also save you some money! In addition, plant-based diets offer all the required protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and more to help boost your immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of cancer.
4. Reduce, Recycle & Reuse
The fashion industry accounts for 8-10% of global carbon emissions[4]. We can help to change this by reducing the new clothes we buy and wearing them for longer. Try to repair clothes if broken and recycle what we can or give to a friend or charity rather than throw them away.
And it’s not just clothes that we are buying too much of, we are also consuming too much food. A third of all food produced is estimated to be wasted[5]. But it is easy to do your part to fight food waste. Consume the food you buy, create a meal plan to ensure you are not using different ingredients for every meal, save and eat leftovers, be smart about storing food, and compost food scraps. Buying less consumer goods can reduce your carbon footprint and also cut down on waste.
5. Preserve energy at home
Not all houses can allow this — but if you can — switch to a renewable energy provider or install solar panels on your roof to try to reduce the amount of energy you are using at home. Also, consider installing a small wind turbine to provide your home with clean, renewable energy. Even if this is not possible, you can turn your heating down by a couple of degrees and insulate your loft or roof, so you’ll be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
6. Help raise awareness
Now that you have taken the appropriate steps to reduce your own carbon footprint, it is important to raise awareness and encourage others to do the same. A good way to do this is through volunteering for environmental organizations and taking friends and family along with you. You could also join a global movement like Count Us In, which is building the world's largest community of people and organizations to take action against climate change and challenge their leaders to act more boldly.
#It’sInOurHands to stand up, speak up, and use our voice for the greater good by raising awareness of the need to act on climate change and protect the planet.
[1]https://www.un.org/en/actnow/ten-actions
[2]https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/media_gstc/FACT_SHEET_Climate_Change.pdf
[3]https://www.wwf.org.uk/thingsyoucando
[4]https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200310-sustainable-fashion-how-to-buy-clothes-good-for-the-climate
[5]https://greenly.earth/en-us/blog/ecology-news/global-food-waste-in-2022.