The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released a report stating that we have 12 years to save the Earth before things start to significantly worsen. Once the earth reaches a maximum climate of 1.5 degrees celsius by 2030, even half a degree more will cause a higher risk of droughts, floods, extreme heat and poverty for over hundreds of millions of people.
The IPCC states in their report that “rapid, far-reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society” are what need to be made to turn this 12 year timeline into a long-lasting life.
So what can people do to save the earth little by little? Here are some ways to help fight climate change:
Collective Action.
Coming together as a community is one of the first steps to solving the problem. Issues regarding climate change have been ignored in the past due to lack of public interest. In order to start fighting against climate change the most important thing people can do is come together to form movements – or join existing groups – that can push for change
Green your commute
In Canada, transportation accounts for 24 per cent of climate-polluting emission. An easy way to eliminate this is choosing a different way of transportation. If you are travelling somewhere local, riding a bike, walking, or using public transit is also efficient. If you’re travelling far, electric vehicles and carpooling will get you to where you need to go as well.
Conserve Energy
Small changes to daily routines and lifestyles adds up. Unplug electronics/turn off lights when they are not in use, air dry clothes instead of using the drier, switch to energy efficient lightbulbs, switch to renewable energy (solar panels)
After years of people advocating for preventing climate change, there is officially a 12 year timeline until destruction. Making some of these small changes everyday and spreading the word is ultimately what is going to make a difference.
