In this article we are going to look at several areas in which you can make a difference and have a positive impact on our environment.
What are you eating?
If the UK population was killed at the rate farmed animals are killed around the world, it would end in just 11 hours. With this in mind, you must be wondering why we are not swarmed with farm animals. The only reason this is not the case is the ridiculously high demand for meat. This demand, and the supply required to accommodate this, can lead to a variety of problems for our environment. Converting grass into meat is like converting coal to energy and the implications on our planet are the same. Methane production comes as a result of reproducing farmed animals. Methane is a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming. With 45% of the Earth’s surface covered by livestock systems the production of methane is only growing.
So what can you do to help? As mentioned before demand is directly correlated to supply. Therefore cutting demand will remove the negative effects breeding farmland animals can carry. To reduce consumption of meat you could change your diet and remove meat from your meals. There are various diets which are meat free - such as Veganism and Vegetarianism.
How do you travel?
Our current forms of transport are contributing massively to the rising pollution levels on our planet. “Passenger vehicles are a major pollution contributor, producing significant amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other pollution. In 2013, transportation contributed more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, and almost a quarter of the hydrocarbons emitted into our air.” (link here).
So what can you do to help? The best thing you can do is to completely stop travelling by vehicles. However, we are aware this is difficult in our current society which is now very mobile. Therefore a more realistic path of change could be purchasing an electric car or car pooling with colleagues for your commute to work.
Who do you talk to?
To fight this battle against global warming and climate change, education is key. Your own education and how you educate others is vital in this joint effort to save our planet. Who you talk to is very important. When sharing your views are you telling someone that doesn’t even care or are you preaching to someone who can make a difference. Additionally, what are you saying? Are you just judging people at their lack of effort to make positive change, or are you teaching people how they can actually make a difference?
Change is hard. But not impossible. These are just a few areas where you can have a positive impact as an individual. This will be an uphill battle, but we can’t do nothing. Change starts now.
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