6. Here's what you can do to reduce your carbon footprint without changing your whole life. The other thing government can do is on the adaptation side. There are also a number of ‘ethical banks’ you can investigate. Instead, talk positively, and be honest about the ups and downs. Myclimate also compares the carbon emissions of your particular flight, with the maximum amount of carbon dioxide a person should produce per year in order to halt climate change, and the average amount an EU citizen produces each year. But we do need to plant more trees, quickly. For some tips on successful climate-based conversations, check out Climate Outreach’s work with climate scientist and communicator Katherine Hayhoe. We've put together detailed tips on nine things you can do to cut plastic from your shopping basket. When flying is unavoidable, pay a little extra for carbon offsetting. Climate change is happening; it is real. Tell your Member of Parliament, local councillors and city mayors that you think action on climate change is important. Reduce emissions. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Decreasing the consumtion of meat, or even growing your own food, is incredibly helpful for our planet. Thinking and acting at a local level helps communities fight climate … Coasts, from the U.S. Infrastructure is also the area where city leaders have the most control. Animals emit methane and other greenhouse gases and so a meat-free diet contributes to a reduction in global warming. While the group’s interferences across London, Edinburgh and more look to push governments to take the issue seriously and cut carbon emissions to zero by 2025, climate change activists recognise that is crucial for both policy-makers and individuals to take action — another of the organisation’s demands is to create a citizens’ assembly, allowing the public … top 100 climate-change solutions. Grand Rapids, Mich., stands as tangible evidence of what cities can do to reduce human impact on … While the international efforts are discussed, local communities can take action, and many are. St Christopher’s School in Hertfordshire is just one of several schools that provide vegetarian lunches for all on a daily basis. Winterize your home to prevent heat from escaping and try to keep it cool in the summer without an air conditioner. This will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere. By … Scientists, researchers and advocates share the top changes we can make to be part of the climate change solution. This week the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change will release a special report, which the WWF has contributed to, laying out in stark detail the impact of the melting of frozen regions on oceans and coastal areas. Set up a climate-crisis committee (consisting of students, staff, parents and members of the local community) to explore what your school can do. Buy local, organic food where possible. We spoke to our scientists at the Grantham Institute and drew up a list of the most achievable ways you personally can make a difference. 10 Ways You Can Help Reduce the Climate Change. Help to protect and conserve green spaces like local parks, ponds or community gardens. Changes in normal levels of heat, cold, rain, and wind are known as climate change. It has been shown to affect the health of unborn babies and increase the risk of dementia. Encourage the use of renewable energies. Small changes to your behaviour at home will help you use less energy, cutting your carbon footprint and your energy bills: Put on an extra layer and turn down the heating a degree or two. Community energy initiatives have grown massively around the country in recent years too. Our Vision: Healthy People in Healthy Communities . Our actions can create ripple effects that inspire and motivate collective actions, moving us towards the systemic change we need to tackle an issue like climate change. Our work on climate change And there’s a lot cities can do to tackle climate change, whether its promoting local clean energy generation, or putting in place chargepoints for electric vehicles. Organisations like Fields In Trust and the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces have advice and resources on how you can get involved in areas local to you. Make simple changes to how you use hot water, like buying a water-efficient shower head. It makes for sobering reading. Give unwanted items a new life by donating them to charity or selling them on. The Woodland Trust are aiming to plant 64 million trees over the next 10 years – and need your help. While individuals alone may not be able to make drastic emissions cuts that limit climate change to acceptable levels, personal action is essential to raise the importance of issues to policymakers and businesses. But after raising the plinth, water doesn’t enter our courtyard anymore, and we could now do vegetable gardening there. The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate report outlines the impact of climate change on the earth’s oceans and frozen places – or cryosphere – and our options to respond, Thu 26 Sep 2019 02.00 EDT This briefing paper and animation highlight the co-benefits of climate action, high-fibre, plant-based diet is also better for your health, blog on going vegan for top tips on making it a success, investigating how people in the Western world can be convinced to eat them, a passenger in business class has a carbon footprint three times higher than someone in economy, flying shouldn't necessarily be the default option for international travel, variety of reputable carbon offsetting schemes, poor air quality in the capital leads to around 1,000 London hospital admissions, air pollution in the United States is associated with 30,000 deaths and reduced life expectancy, trading in your diesel or petrol car for an electric, Switching energy supply to a green tariff, important habitats for a wide variety of insects, animals, birds and amphibians, provide multiple benefits to public health, National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces, Integrating green and blue spaces into our cities: Making it happen, ask if you can opt out of funds investing in fossil fuels, the discussion around responsible investment, Conversations are a great way to spread big ideas, Climate Outreach’s work with climate scientist and communicator Katherine Hayhoe, Take our online survey to share your suggestions, Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Download a designed, pocket-sized leaflet in PDF. Despite wanting to be seen as a climate leader, the UK government has continued to fall short of what’s needed to meet targets and has not yet prepared the country for the consequences of climate change. Researchers at Imperial have been investigating how people in the Western world can be convinced to eat them. Studies suggest that a high-fibre, plant-based diet is also better for your health - so it can be a win-win. Double glazing, insulation and low-energy lights are all good ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home. 9 things you can do about climate change . You have probably heard that our planet is in danger. Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate report, Extreme sea level events ‘will hit once a year by 2050’. People around the world are already living with the effects of vanishing ice caps, coastal erosion and rising sea levels, which are destroying communities, forcing people out of their homes and damaging traditional lifestyles. Go vegetarian. Here are 10 simple actions you can take to help reduce global warming. Check out our blog on going vegan for top tips on making it a success. Everything we use as consumers has a carbon footprint. Let brands know if you think they are using too much packaging – some will take customer feedback seriously. How we live and work together in communities and cities can have a huge impact in tackling climate change. But there is something we can do – and that's increasing tree and woodland cover. 1. Although a 1 degree rise in temperature sounds minimal, the effects of climate change are far-reaching, with floods, super-storms and droughts on the increase and seemingly no way to stop them. Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the biggest ways to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. Also, as local communities adopt CCCP measures, they become more financially self-reliant and resilient to weather and climate extremes. " Communities can be supported to adapt the ways they shelter and settle themselves. Climate change can make it more difficult for communities to provide drinking water and wastewater services, protect water quality, and maintain healthy aquatic environments. © 2021 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Learn how you can help fight climate change, find educator resources, or try the Climate Kids site featuring games, quizzes and facts. Try to choose fresh, seasonal produce that is grown locally to help reduce the carbon emissions from transportation, preservation and prolonged refrigeration. Here’s how our efforts came out: Climate Action: Growing Renewables: A big part of our Climate Action program aims to grow renewable energy From cleaner air and lower energy bills, to less stress on the NHS. The separation has led to the misinformed view that addressing climate change means pursuing either mitigation or adaptation. This guide was produced by the Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, an institute of Imperial College London. Climate actions have often fallen into one of two strategies: mitigation efforts to lower or remove greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, and adaptation efforts to adjust systems and societies to withstand the impacts of climate change. Replace light bulbs with LEDs or other low-energy lights. However, the discussion around responsible investment – weighing up environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and taking them into consideration when investing money – is growing. There are many benefits to taking action on climate change, such as improved health, growth in the low-carbon jobs market, and reduced inequality. Plant trees. Turn off lights and appliances when you don’t need them. So here’s a toolbox of the most impactful solutions for global warming (in no particular order) that you can do, today – and can pick and choose as you see fit: 1. Put your purchasing power to good use by choosing brands that align with your new green aspirations. Our world is warming, but taking action on climate change can make all our lives better. Transcript. Look for the Energy Star label when buying new appliances. If you don't have direct access to open spaces, this community volunteering charity brings people together to connect to nature, and create healthier and happier communities. Climate Resilience Toolkit. Each year we could prevent thousands of early deaths in the UK, and save the NHS … 54. They also provide multiple benefits to public health, with studies linking green space to reduced levels of stress. There are still things ordinary people can do to fight climate change—but reducing your greenhouse gas emissions is only the first step. Sustainability appraisal can be used to help shape appropriate strategies in line with the statutory duty on climate change and ambition in the Climate Change Act 2008. Over their lifetimes, products in your home that have earned the ENERGY STAR label can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 130,000 pounds and save you $11,000 on energy bills. For leisure trips, choose nearby destinations, and fly economy – on average, a passenger in business class has a carbon footprint three times higher than someone in economy. Create your own green space. ... can reduce flood risk by absorbing surface rainwater and can provide important habitats for a wide variety of insects, ... this community volunteering charity brings people together to connect to nature, and create healthier and happier communities. Photo: Gerardo Pesantez / World Bank Buildings are the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissionswithin cities because of the energy that’s required for electricity, heating, and water. (Assumptions: the start and end location are the main train terminal in the centre of each city; travel costs are for the cheapest advance tickets bought in advance and include all connecting journeys; carbon emissions are calculated using UK government greenhouse gas emissions factors for short-haul flights, ferry and international rail travel.). Read more about why flying shouldn't necessarily be the default option for international travel, and how businesses can lead the way in reducing the demand for air travel. Banks, pensions funds and big corporates often hold investments in fossil fuel companies. To reduce their exposure to the risks of climate change infrastructure can be strengthened, either in advance of an emergency or as part of an emergency response. Not only do cars contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but air pollution caused by exhaust fumes from traffic poses a serious threat to public health. Change to energy-efficient light bulbs. Focusing your efforts to spread awareness about renewable energy is the best way … There’s still time for them to turn this around – and there are clear things they can do – but they need to take bold action now. High rises and hotel buildings in Punta Pacifica, Panama City, Panama. Avoid single-use items and fast fashion, and try not to buy more than you need. Heat and cool smartly. Meat and dairy production is responsible for 14% of global climate-changing emissions. IE 11 is not supported. Add pot plants to your window sill or balcony, and if you have your own outdoor space, don't replace the grass with paving or artificial turf. Over 100 schools have signed up to Meat-free Mondays and are including meat-free options on other days – but there is much more that can be done. From a science education perspective, one major thing that can be done about climate change is to support education efforts that help individuals and societies make informed decisions about climate change. What Can Cities Really Do About Climate Change? We are starting to see a decline in water supplies, increased wildfires, higher temperatures, sea levels rising, … Investigate trading in your diesel or petrol car for an electric or hybrid model. Women and climate change Effects of climate change on women and girls, profiles of women leaders. Let everyone know that each one of us can make a difference. Published: June 29, 2020. Other changes have to be made to reduce global CO 2 emissions and an effective response lies in the hands of world politicians. Ultimately, steps to reduce carbon emissions will have a positive impact on other local issues, like improving air quality and public health, creating jobs and reducing inequality. Find out where your money goes. Switching energy supply to a green tariff is a great way to invest in renewable energy sources – and could save you money on bills too. Seagrass is a vital marine habitat for a variety of species and an incredible carbon sink that helps to reverse climate change. Climate change is real, and here’s how we should do our part to prevent further damage. Hang-dry your clothes when you can and use dryer balls when you can’t. For more details on how eating a more plant-based, seasonal diet can help tackle climate change, support the local economy and help us to live healthier lives, check out our blog: Saving the planet, one meal at a time. They absorb carbon dioxide and are associated with lower levels of air pollution. And how does this fit into the bigger picture? To order printed versions of the leaflet, or for more information, contact: grantham@imperial.ac.uk. Adaptation can help reduce the long-term costs of climate change impacts (IPCC 2007). Scientists, researchers and advocates share the top changes we Don’t be a bore or confrontational. By The Grantham Institute. 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