The fight against climate change can feel overwhelming.
But what if we could make a big impact by focusing on just a few key areas?
That’s the promise of the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle: roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
Hannah Ritchie‘s book, Not the End of the World, emphasizes that by focusing on a few key areas, we can make a significant difference, just like the 80/20 rule.
Inspired by this message, I’d like to break down some of the biggest environmental problems and share a powerful principle for climate action.
Together, we can make a real difference.
Air Pollution: 2 Clear Solutions
Did you know air pollution is linked to an estimated 9 million deaths annually?
Exposure to air pollution can lead to a variety of health problems, including:
- Respiratory illnesses: Air pollution can irritate the lungs, causing coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It can also worsen existing respiratory conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Heart disease: Air pollution can damage the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
- Lung cancer: Air pollution is a major cause of lung cancer.
The culprit? Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.
The good news is the solution is clear: we need to transition to cleaner energy sources like solar, wind, and geothermal.
While big companies and governments have a big role to play here, we can still make a difference.
Here are two main ways individuals can help reduce air pollution:
- Ditch your car whenever possible and opt for a bike or public transport
Not only will you be getting some exercise, but you’ll also be helping the planet.
A study found that cycling just 10 km a week can offset the carbon emissions produced by an average car.
- Turn away from solid fuels
Solid fuels like fireplaces and wood-burning stoves might seem eco-friendly, but data from the book suggests otherwise.
Burning these fuels can release large amounts of pollutants inside your home and contribute to outdoor air pollution. In fact, they can be significantly worse than gas or electric heating systems.
With these key steps, we will start to enjoy cleaner air and contribute to a healthier planet.
Climate Change: 6 Powerful Actions
Climate change can feel like a colossal, overwhelming issue. Reducing emissions is key to fighting climate change.
But how?
First of all, we’ve got to understand the primary sources of emissions so we can target our efforts more efficiently.
The two main sources are:
- Electricity and heat: This sector is responsible for roughly 25% of global emissions.
- Transportation: Cars, planes, and trains are another major source, which accounts for roughly 28% of the emissions.
Next, how do we reduce emissions from those two main sectors?
We should:
- Support clean energy initiatives
Cleaner energy sources are becoming increasingly affordable. Solar and wind energy have seen dramatic price drops, making them a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
- Advocate for policies that promote renewable energy sources
Let your voice be heard! Contact your local representatives and express your support for renewable energy policies.
You can also find and join online petitions or social media campaigns advocating for clean energy solutions.
- Reduce your reliance on cars
Consider walking, cycling, carpooling, or using public transport whenever possible.
Food production also has a significant impact on the environment and climate change. Here’s what we can do:
- Shift to a more plant-based diet
Meat production, especially beef, has a large carbon footprint. Reducing your meat consumption can significantly lower your environmental impact.
- Tackle food waste
Food waste is a global problem. Planning your meals, buying what you need, and storing food properly can make a big difference.
- Reduce overconsumption
Buy and consume only what you truly need. This not only benefits the environment but also promotes healthy eating habits.
Remember, we can turn the tide on climate change and build a sustainable future through the above impactful actions.
Deforestation: 3 Ways To Stop It
Forests, particularly tropical rainforests, are often seen as the ‘lungs of the Earth’, playing a vital role in our planet’s health.
However, deforestation, the large-scale removal of trees, is a major threat to this critical system.
Why deforestation matters?
Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. Deforestation releases this stored carbon back into the atmosphere, accelerating climate change.
Deforestation’s devastating impact extends beyond climate change.
Forests are teeming with unique life, from towering trees to hidden insects. When forests are cleared, these irreplaceable habitats vanish, pushing countless species towards extinction.
What’s driving this destruction?
- Appetite for beef: Believe it or not, the biggest culprit behind deforestation is beef production. Raising cattle requires vast areas of land, often leading to deforestation for grazing or growing animal feed.
- Hidden in our shopping: Palm oil is another major culprit of deforestation in many everyday products. It’s found in processed foods, cosmetics, and even cleaning supplies. While sustainable palm oil exists, a significant portion of deforestation is linked to unsustainable production practices.
There are three main ways we can help stop deforestation:
- Reduce meat consumption
Cutting back on red meat, like beef, is especially important. This reduces the demand for land used for cattle grazing and feed production.
- Be a label-conscious consumer
When shopping for processed foods, check for products that use sustainable palm oil (RSPO certified).
- Think beyond biodiesel
While biodiesel might sound eco-friendly, palm oil-based biodiesel can actually release more emissions than traditional fuels. Opt for other biodiesel options.
By making informed choices about what you eat and buy, you can help protect our vital forests and the incredible biodiversity they hold.
Food Carbon Footprint: 7 Key Actions
Food production plays a surprisingly large role in climate change, responsible for about a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.
According to the book, raising animals for food is a major contributor to emissions, land use, and water pollution.
The more meat we eat, the more land is needed for grazing and feed production. This can lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity.
Also, did you know raising animals for food isn’t the most efficient way to get calories on your plate?
Livestock require a lot of feed to grow, but only a small portion is converted into edible meat. For instance, a cow might need 100 calories of feed to produce just 3 calories of beef!
So, how do we shift our diet to a more sustainable future? Here are some tips for eating more sustainably:
- Reduce meat consumption
Especially focusing on cutting back on beef and lamb. Consider a hierarchy of meat choices: plant-based foods have the lowest impact, followed by chicken, pork, dairy, and then beef and lamb.
- Embrace meat substitutes
Explore plant-based alternatives like veggie burgers and sausages. These options offer lower environmental impact.
- Go plant-based with dairy
Plant-based milk, yoghurts, and cheeses offer delicious and sustainable alternatives.
- Embrace ugly fruits and vegetables:
They’re perfectly edible but often left behind.
- Best-before dates aren’t discard dates
Trust your senses when it comes to these labels. By consuming items even after their ‘best before‘ dates, we can significantly reduce food waste.
- Reduce food waste
Around one-third of the world’s food goes to waste! This squanders all the resources invested in its production.
So, plan your meals, buy what you need, and avoid impulse purchases.
- Focus on what’s on your plate, not the packaging
The environmental impact of food packaging is minimal compared to the food itself. Focus on what you eat, not what it’s wrapped in.
In a nutshell, by choosing plant-based options more often, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable practices, we can help ensure a healthy planet and a delicious future for all.
Our Oceans: 5 Ways to Make a Difference
The ocean, once teeming with life, faces several threats: plastic pollution, overfishing and bleaching of coral reefs.
Plastic production has exploded over the past few decades.
From a mere 2 million tonnes in 1950, it has ballooned to a staggering 460 million tonnes in 2019. Unfortunately, most plastic ends up in landfills or, worse, our oceans.
While recycling helps, it’s not a permanent solution.
Most plastics can only be recycled a limited number of times before ending up in landfills or the environment.
As for overfishing, one-third of the world’s fish stocks are already overexploited, pushing them towards collapse.
While fish farming might seem like a solution, it often relies on wild fish for feed, creating an unsustainable cycle.
Moreover, coral reefs, vibrant underwater cities that support a quarter of the world’s marine life, are facing a devastating threat: bleaching.
Warming ocean temperatures and pollution cause coral to expel the algae it relies on for survival, leading to starvation and death.
These vital ecosystems face a double whammy – overfishing disrupts the delicate balance, and climate change heats up their waters.
So, what can we do to protect our oceans?
- Reduce reliance on plastic
Use reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and containers whenever possible.
- Participate in beach cleanups
It offers a way to directly combat plastic pollution and prevent it from entering the ocean.
- Support sustainable seafood
Look for certifications, e.g., Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), indicating fish are caught using practices that minimize environmental impact.
- Reduce fish consumption
Explore delicious plant-based alternatives to seafood.
- Advocate for change
Support policies that promote sustainable fishing practices and protect our oceans.
The Future We Choose: Empowered by Action
The book ‘Not the End of the World’ paints a clear picture: climate change challenges are real, but solutions exist.
This breakdown offered practical steps we can take, from reducing our carbon footprint to protecting our oceans.
These actions, far more effective than traditional ‘eco-friendly’ steps, such as recycling or growing your own food, can create a ripple effect.
Imagine a future with clean air, thriving ecosystems, and a sustainable way of life. It’s within reach. Let’s make these actions the norm, not the exception.
Together, empowered by action, we can build a better future for generations to come.