You’re probably aware that climate change is a Big Problem. What is less obvious is what we can actually do about it.
Sure, we can buy less stuff, recycle as much of our waste as possible and cut down on our flights. But it’s pretty clear that doing all that – while important – isn’t enough on its own.
I sometimes feel like we’ve left it too late, and that we’re still doing too little. But most of the time I’m still hopeful that we can turn things around, and there’s two ways we can do this:
- Reducing our own emissions.
- Pushing for wider change.
To achieve number two, we can encourage our friends and family to reduce their emissions, shop with carbon footprints in mind and push for positive change in our schools, universities and workplaces. Most importantly, we can let our MPs know that sustainability and the environment are issues that will sway our vote, increasing the pressure on the government to make it a priority. You can find out who your MP is (and how to contact them) here.
When it comes to reducing our own emissions, Mike Berners-Lee’s book, How Bad Are Bananas, provides actual data on how much carbon is created by everything from, yes, bananas (spoiler alert: they’re not that bad) to flights, baths and even smartphones. This info means it’s possible to start being more aware of the impact of our choices, which hopefully nudges us towards making choices that are better for our planet.
The author suggests that we aim for a maximum personal carbon emission total of five tonnes per year. The current UK average is 13 tonnes. Of course, five tonnes per year is still too much – but it’s a target on our way to reaching global net zero.
You can read more about what I’m doing to reduce my emissions and create a sustainable life and photography business here.
