Last Updated on Thu, 02 Feb 2023 | Green Life
It is important that we learn how to reduce climate change, and put them into practice now, before it is too late.
We have outlined some ways below.
Because climate change today is very much linked to global warming, efforts to fight climate change is very much about reducing the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and global warming.
Reducing climate change: Cleaner alternative energy sources
One important way to fight climate change is to use alternative sources of renewable energy which will not release harmful emissions.
Some of these cleaner sources of renewable energy include wind energy, solar energy, water or hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy. Read more about these renewable energy sources.
By reducing our reliance on and usage of fossil fuels, and tapping on alternative and greener sources of energy, not only are we helping to reduce the release of greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, and hence helping to reduce global warming and fight climate change, we are also helping to ensure the sustainability of the world’s living and development.
How to reduce climate change: Energy saving tips
But before we discover reliable and sustainable green energy sources that we can tap on effectively, we need to learn how to conserve our energy sources.
(Even if we discover the green energy sources to last us forever, its is still a good value to not be wasteful).
To do so, we can adopt energy saving tips like using energy-saving appliances like the compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, switching off our electrical appliances when they are not in use. Read more energy saving tips.
How to reduce climate change: Green driving tips
Given the number of automobiles in the world today, they emit a substantial amount of greenhouse gases and contribute significantly to global warming and climate change. In fact, after coal-burning power plants, automobiles are the second largest source of carbon dioxide.
Which is why cutting greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles is a critical strategy to fighting global warming and climate change.
The best strategy on how to reduce climate change is definitely to reduce the use of automobiles.
Use public transport or carpool if you can, instead of driving your own car. This is because the amount of pollution created when you drive by yourself (as opposed to carpooling or driving others) can be as bad as taking the plane!
If you must drive, then use an eco-friendly and fuel efficient car, and ensure that your vehicle’s engine is working in impeccable condition at all times. A car in poor working condition uses more fuel for the same mileage covered, and releases more carbon dioxide and exhaust gases. Also, adopt green driving tips.
How to reduce climate change: Reduce Reuse Recycle practices
The culture of consumerism today encourages people to buy and throw, with little consideration for the impact of such unsustainable consumption on the world.
For each item that we purchase and use, energy and resources are used in its manufacture, packaging, transportation and retail, and ultimately its disposal. Pollution is created each step of the process, and substantial greenhouse gases are also released.
It is time we think twice about the way we are living life.
If we are to live a sustainable and green life, leaving minimal carbon footpaths during our passage through this earth, we need to resist the culture of consumerism, and instead adopt a lifestyle guided by the Reduce Reuse Recycle principle.
Reducing, reusing and recycling help us conserve resources and energy, and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions produced, for example in the raw material extraction and disposal processes. In turn, reducing our greenhouse gas emissions substantially would help us reduce global warming and fight climate change. Read more about the benefits of recycling.
Start now before it is too late.
How to reduce climate change: Re-forestation
The cleanest and most efficient remover of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere actually comes free. This remover is a gift from nature – our green plants and trees.
Unfortunately, we have taken this gift for granted.
The rate at which we are cutting down our trees and forests to make way for human developments has greatly reduced the earth’s ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This has in turn contributed to a faster rate of global warming and climate change.
You can do your part by contributing to forest conservation and re-forestation efforts.
Take part in your local community’s plant-a-tree effort. Grow an organic garden of your own.
Reduce your usage of paper – paper production is one main cause of deforestation. But if you must, use recycled paper.
How to reduce climate change: Organic farming
Soils are an important sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, deforestation to make way for conventional agriculture is increasingly depleting this sink.
Sustainable and organic agriculture helps to counteract climate change by restoring soil organic matter content as well as reduce soil erosion and improve soil physical structure. Organic farming also does not use chemical fertilizers that release substantial nitrous oxide and methane (greenhouse gases) into the environment, and as such reduces global warming, while at the same time maintaining crop yields. Read more about the benefits of organic agriculture.
As individuals, how to reduce climate change through organic farming is to switch to organic products. As the demand for organically grown produces increases, organic farming will become more economically viable and more popular.
Or better still, grow your own organic garden.
As a community, encouraging local farmers to cultivate various products by rotating their crops can also go a long way in reducing carbon emissions and restoring the ecological balance in the environment.
How to reduce climate change: Green shopping tips
One point on how to reduce climate change through green shopping tips is to buy local products instead of those produced overseas.
Transporting exotic fruits and vegetables from one destination to another requires a lot of energy, usually from the burning of fossil fuel, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Moreover, in attempts to keep the fruits and vegetables fresh, chemical pesticides and preservatives are used, which again contribute to toxins and greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.
Hence, buy local produces if you can – not only do they leave less carbon footprints and are cheaper, they are also healthier.
And as mentioned below, reduce consumption, reuse whenever you can, and recycle whatever you no longer need. Then complete the recycling loop by buying recycled products.
How to reduce climate change: Education
While it is important that you and I start practicing green living tips and fight climate change from this moment, it is not enough.
We need many more others to join us in this important and meaningful journey.
We need to help others (especially those who are not already convinced) become aware of the seriousness of the climate change issue, as well as help them realize that there are things they can do to make a difference.
So talk to your immediate family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours about going green today. Spread the message and encourage them to live a green life. Use yourself as a living example for them to learn from.
In fact, schools and institutions also have an important part to play in this process of education – educating our children on the importance of protecting the earth will help us (and them) secure the future of the planet.
So talk to your children today about going green and fighting climate change. Discuss with other parents on how the message can be more effectively communicated to the children. Talk to your children’s teachers and help identify creative ways of encouraging youths in your community to go green.
Continue reading here: Air Pollution Solutions For Cars
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