How You Can Do Your Part To Fight The Climate Crisis

Prsna Hirani-Shah | May 7th 2021

As the effects of the climate crisis continue to loom, people are becoming more environmentally conscious to do their part to help. People are looking for ways to be more eco-conscious and change their buying or energy use behaviours. Here are 7 ways you can do your part to combat the climate crisis:

1. Reusable water bottles

By investing in a reusable water bottle, you could avoid using 117 plastic bottles each year. This will reduce your carbon footprint and plastic waste. Reusable water bottles will also help you save on money too (this has got to persuade you). The average person spends around £70 on plastic bottles annually. Some of the best reusable bottle brands are:

• Chilly's

• Sho

• Hydro Flask

2. Reduce Meat consumption

Meat consumption has many negative environmental impacts. The meat and dairy industry makes up for an estimate of 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. These are some reasons why its bad for the environment:

• Leads to deforestation and forest fires

• Effects on climate change

• Extinction of the Amazon Rainforest

• Lack of efficiency

• Extinction of wildlife

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It also has negative health impacts too, especially red meat like beef, pork and lamb. It can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.

Sorry meat lovers!

3. Shop second-hand or sustainably

The fashion industry produces 10% of carbon emissions. Many fashion brands like H&M and Zara etc are culprits of using the fast fashion method. They produce excessive amounts of new clothes on a weekly sometimes daily basis, which takes a toll on the climate and environment as the majority of it ends up in landfill and less than 1% is recycled.

So buying second-hand or sustainably can also reduce your carbon footprint. Buying less overall will help massively too because many of sometimes buy things we don't necessarily need. Some brands that are shifting to sustainable production are:

• Adidas

• Levi's

• Patagonia

• Thought Clothing

4. Buy local or in season

Transportation of food from long distance locations uses trucks, ships, planes and railways, which produce a lot of pollution and consume large amounts of energy for cooling systems to prevent spoiling. Buying produce that is local or in season means less fossil fuels and packaging are being used.

Buying local also helps the economy, local businesses and the community.

5. Drive less

When you next need to travel somewhere, ask yourself the question, "do I really need to take my car?". Sometimes you find that taking public transport, walking or cycling is also a viable option. This will reduce your carbon emissions but also lessen traffic congestion. If you do need to take the car, download Waze, this app can help you avoid sitting in traffic, which lets be honest, no one likes doing so its a win-win.

6. Energy save around the house

Some things you can do around the house to conserve energy are:

• Turn off lights that you aren't using or don't really need

• Invest in LED lightbulbs - they last longer and use less energy

• Unplug devices that aren't in use

• If possible, install a smart thermostat

• Check if your house is insulated - it can save you on heating bills

For more information, click here

7. Taking a carbon calculation test

This carbon calculator asks you to information about your car, house, buying habits etc and then uses this information to tell you your carbon footprint. Not only that but it also provides ways to help you reduce it. It categorises you into 1 of 4 results: climate villain, climate cheat, climate friend and climate hero.

Find the link here

Try these tips to reduce your carbon, energy and plastic usage over the next year.

Thanks for reading!