Should I Really Be Scared of Climate Change? + 7 Things You Can Do to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
There are a lot of scary headlines in the news these days and the ones we click on far too often are things like: “Life On Earth To End By 2050”…REALLY?? Eek.
Talk of climate change and our planet’s dire straights is everywhere, and there are so many conflicting reports about the health of mother earth that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and scared.
To answer our headline, should I really be scared of climate change–yes, and no.
Yes–we should be concerned. Global temps and sea levels are rising at an alarming rate. BUT technology and innovation is also booming, and it’s easier than ever to spread information and education. And maybe it’s just us, but we feel like at least some of the world is starting to listen. (Thank you, Greta Thunberg!)
Also–no. We’re alarmed/concerned, yes, and we like to use fear as a driver and catalyst for GOOD. (That energy has to go somewhere, right?)
Here are some tips beyond walking and ditching your straws (that bonus, cost nothing) to help reduce your carbon footprint.
Repurpose & reuse old clothes.
Did you know that the fashion industry has a bigger carbon impact than the airline industry? Wild, right? Our closets or, more specifically, our buying habits, are pretty harmful to the planet. The rise of fast fashion (think H&M, Zara, or Forever 21) have made it easy to wear and discard, and the emissions from textile production are “more than those of all international flights and maritime shipping trips combined”, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
So–what can we do? Donations of unwanted clothes are great, but for the t-shirt that has a few too many holes/stains? Chop that baby up and use it for cleaning rags. The dress with an out of date hemline or a botched button? Don’t replace it, take it to a tailor! Reusing, repurposing, or mending clothes to give them more life keeps them out of the wasteful cycle a while longer.
2. Skip the produce bags.
We know - the bottom of that shopping cart is a germaphobe’s nightmare. But that avocado doesn’t need to be wrapped in a plastic bag. A good wash means you can skip the produce bag (or use a reusable kind like this one!).
3. Reduce food waste.
There are a lot of deeper food supply chain issues we CAN’T fix by saving our veggie scraps but ultimately, consumer behavior affects production. Buy only what you need and when you end up with an assortment of random perishables in your fridge, try an “everything but the kitchen sink” buddha bowl (check out some inspo here). Also, pro tip: freeze things that are about to go bad! From spinach to avocados, you can pop them in the freezer to get a little more life out of them.
4. Avoid buying multiples online.
The pair of boots you’ve been eyeing for months have 30 conflicting reviews on whether they run small or true to size. So what’s the harm in buying an 8 AND a 9? You can just return the one that doesn’t fit, right? Yeah, technically. But buying with the intent to return wastes packaging, not to mention the emissions from getting the product from the warehouse to your door and back again.
5. Eat “for here”.
Sometimes there’s just no avoiding takeout containers (takeout + couch = love). But every once in a while, we can take a page from our friends across the pond and spend 15 minutes sipping that coffee from a mug or eating out of real dishes instead of doing meal time on-the-go.
6. Go “one part plant”.
Keto, vegetarian, paleo, vegan, labeless, pescatarianhowever you eat, we’re here for it. And the one nutrition tidbit every doctor agrees on is that it’s totally cool to eat more plants. And hey–it’s cool for the environment, too! Veggies have a lower carbon footprint than animal products, so swap one meal a day, or one a week, for a plant-powered dish. Not sure where to start? Check out one of our fav cookbooks, One Part Plant, by the lovely Jessica Murnane, which is chock full of amazing plant based recipes.
7. Know that YOU are enough.
You don’t have to boycott air travel, cringe at the sight of straws, or buy a Tesla to make a difference. Lots of little things, all bunched together, make big things–make CHANGE. Conscious choices are powerful choices, and no action is too small. YOU, and your actions, matter - don’t forget that.
Feeling drawn to making meaningful, positive change in your life + community? Check out our upcoming CHANGEMAKERS retreat here.
For even more GOOD reading on ways you can start living more sustainably, invest in Ashlee Piper’s phenomenal, fun, and practical handbook, Give a Sh*t. Read cover to cover + take notes along the way + pass along to a friend + support each other as you commit to doing what you can, where you are
Image: Markus Spiske