How to minimise our impact on our planet, our shared home
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), everything we do makes a demand on nature. The food we eat, the clothes we buy, the way we travel, everything. Added together, the demands made by each and every one of us are far too much for our planet. 50% too much, in fact.
A good start toward making a difference is to first understand where your own impacts come from so you can make simple changes to your daily life, wherever possible. We found this carbon calculator to be incredibly insightful and a straightforward way to get a simple, topline look at your impact.
From all of our reading and research, here are some key things to consider in montoring and managing your impact:
Your Diet. According to Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations, total emissions from global livestock are at 7.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide per year, representing 14.5 percent of all greenhouse-gas emissions. Livestock farming has a vast environmental footprint. It contributes to land and water degradation, biodiversity loss, acid rain, coral reef degeneration and deforestation. To help minimise impact, we might consider going meatless altogether or choosing to abstain on specific days/ weeks/ months
Reduce, reuse, and recycle. Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three "R's" to conserve natural resources and landfill space.
Plant a tree. Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air, and help combat climate change.
Don't send chemicals into our waterways. Choose non-toxic chemicals in the home and office.
Conserve water. The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean.
Choose sustainable. Learn how to make smarter consumer choices that leave less of an environmental footprint (e.g. production, transportation)
Shop wisely and buy less. Be aware of unconscious over-consumption of foods, goods, electronics, material possessions that you do not need, or do not add specific value to life. Use less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag.
Energy consumption: use less energy where you can, choose energy efficient fittings and encourage this amongst others in your life
Shared transport: walk or bike more, drive less, take more public transport (this is a tricky one for me personally but one that I am committed to trying this!)
Volunteer. Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed, too.
Educate. When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources.