Simple Changes for Climate Change
When the announcement for Blog Action Day (http://blogactionday.com/) landed in my mailbox, I signed up immediately. I had no idea what I wanted to write about but I knew my passion for the topic would lead me to something. It did :)
When we hear about climate change, and the devastation to the planet it causes, one thought pops up almost immediately: it is such a big, global, problem, I am only one person. What can I do?The answer: a LOT. Here are some truly simple things that you can do to fight climate change. Eat less meatThe meat industry is one of the biggest sources for green house gasses. Add to that all the other things that are wrong with the industry (treatment of animals for instance), and it should be enough reason to go meat free for a couple days a week. There are so many delicious variants of vegetarian replacements for meat. Short distance? Cycle, don't drive
Even though cars aren't attributed to be the greatest cause of green house gasses, you still can do your bit by using a bike for short distances. Or walk. You get two for the prize of one: exercise and no extra green house gasses added. Bottle your own water
Don't buy plastic water bottles anymore. Get a stainless steel water bottle, and fill it with water from your tap. Don't like the taste? Get a filter! Brita filters make your water taste delicious. Don't add more plastic to the overgrowing garbage dumps. Be a conscious shopper
As I said earlier, the garbage dumps are overflowing. People throw away everything. Next time you buy something bring your own bag. Add some small cotton bags to it, so you can put veg in there, and then go shopping. Don't accept more plastic bags, just let the fruit and veg be placed in one of your small cotton bags. Grow your own veg
If only for the simple reason that you don't need to use a truck to transport the veg to your kitchen :) But, veg also tastes much better coming from your garden, and you can grow it without using chemicals. Much better for your health! Location, location, location
So you need something new, some furniture, some clothes, an appliance, a gadget. You go to the store, and you buy what you think is the best, based on price, on functionality etc. Quite sensible, right?
Nope. Many things you can buy in the store today have caused a lot of pollution on their way to the store. Most phones for instance? Made in China and Taiwan for instance. It traveled from a factory over there, to a distribution center, and from there it was transported half way across the world, to another distribution center, and from there to your store. You may think: oh but it is just one phone... But everyone thinks that way.
So next time you are buying something new, check where it was made first. It may be something small, but a lot of something smalls still make a lot of difference. Also, watch out for durability. Sometimes it is better to save up some more money, to get something that will last you for 20 to 30 years.
The one exception to this rule for me is fair trade goods. That way I know that the person who made it, gets a fair price for it. You can save the planet too. Do visit the blog action day site for much more information on Climate Change.
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