10 Ways to Slow Climate Change
Photo credit/Mention de source: Tina Mokhtarnejad
Dana Dallal
(FR) Cet article traite de dix solutions que nous pouvons entreprendre afin de ralentir les effets néfastes du changement climatique, qui ne cesse de s’empirer. C’est à nous de prendre les choses en main. Il y a quelques mois, qu’un incendie monumental s’est déroulé au cœur de la forêt d’Amazonie. Cet évènement a été déclencheur et les médias ont pris conscience de l’ampleur du problème : l’alarme est sonnée. Voici plusieurs mesures que nous pouvons entreprendre afin de remédier à cette crise, classées des plus drastiques au plus simples.
Bringing awareness to the danger of climate change has been a common international theme for the past few months. There have been global climate change movements for months on end. Many, such as #FridaysForFuture, have been started by the young Greta Thunberg. On Friday September 27th, even students of our campus, UofT, were involved in the global climate strike at Queen’s Park. As climate change is only getting worse, it is important to realize exactly how significant this catastrophe is. According to the United Nations (UN), “the last four years were the four hottest on record”.[1] While this sustainability crisis is both daunting and intimidating, there are many things that one can do in order to help. Not only will these changes help us slow climate change, but they also have personal benefits as well. The following ten ways for individuals to slow climate change are in order below, from those which require the most effort to those which require the least.
1. Animal products
Agribusiness is responsible for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, which is more than the combined exhaust from all transportation.[2] It is important to note, however, that massive forests and green spaces are not just being cleared for just animal products but also for their substitutes, such as soy.
Personal gain: There are many benefits of curbing animal products such as dairy and red meat away from your diet. In fact, Dr. T. Colin Campbell, a pioneer of nutritional biochemistry at Cornell University, has discovered that dairy protein is a primary cause of disease.[3]
2. Palm oil
The production of palm oil is a leading cause of deforestation. It is found in almost 50 percent of packaged goods, including the popular food item Nutella- not to worry though! If you are not willing to give up the delicious hazelnut spread, Costco offers a palm-oil free version.
Personal gain: Not only is the switch from palm oil beneficial to you, as it makes you more aware of the environmental footprint of food items, but it also forces you to pay attention to ingredients and become aware of exactly what you are consuming- a healthy habit that is not as popular as it should be.
3. Volunteer to spread awareness
Let’s get the word around in a more direct way-through contact in our community. Join a club and make personal connections. For example, a new UofT campus club called L’arbre has just been approved and the club’s mission is to positively impact the air-quality of Toronto and create a safe environment for members to plant and distribute trees. While the club attempts to slow down carbon emissions, it simultaneously adds oxygen to our environment by restoring green life.
Personal gain: You can even use this involvement to put on your resume and your co-curricular record.
4. Self-education
There are still people who deny the existence of global warming, who claim that it is a myth. There are also people who feel that the problem will magically disappear. It is important that you keep yourself up to date with climate change statistics and progress because it directly impacts your future.
Personal gain: You are aware and honest with yourself. Becoming more educated always contributes to one’s self-enhancement.
5. Transportation
The transportation sector is responsible for “13% of all greenhouse gas emissions”.[4] Car production itself even leaves a huge carbon footprint, which is why electric cars are not as sustainable as they might appear to be.
Personal gain: If the distance is short and the weather is nice, why not walk to places? It is a great way to get some cardio in and enjoy your surroundings. If the distance is farther, public transit or Uber pool usually tends to be significantly cheaper, which comes in handy when you are on the student budget. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and GO transit also offer student fare tickets.
6. Behaviour changes
Small changes like getting in the habit of switching off your lights and turning off the water while brushing your teeth can be more important than you might think! This is because these things occur on a daily basis. Think about it, most people brush their teeth twice a day and use the lights every day!
Personal gain: These types of habits are economically effective as well- even if you do not pay for your utilities right now, you probably will in the near future!
7. Food waste
All varieties of food are wasted, but in Canada, 45% of food waste is comprised of fruits and vegetables.[5] We can help this by freezing any extra produce- which comes in handy when blending a morning smoothie. Moreover, just remembering to ask for a take-out box for leftovers when you eat out helps the issue. If you do not want the extras, just take them and give them to someone else.
Personal gain: Students are often busy and would sometimes prefer buying a quick snack on campus to preparing some fresh fruit and veggies in the morning. Not to worry though, because your money will not be wasted if you stick the extra produce in the freezer and save it for a smoothie later.
8. Reuse Good On One Side (G.O.O.S.) paper
As students, we use paper all the time! It is a good idea to start your own GOOS paper pile, which is used in many York Region elementary schools. It is simple! Just keep a stack of paper by your desk that is used on one side only, then when you need scrap paper (to for example, make notes, to-do lists or grocery lists) you are set! Once you use both sides of the paper you can then recycle it as well!
Personal gain: Believe it or not, this truly saves a lot of time, and when it is mid-term season we need as much time as we can get.
9. Thrift shopping
If you thought you could only recycle paper and food waste, you are wrong, you can recycle clothes too! Thrift shopping is the way to do this. It is also a great way to get your next Halloween costume. You can find everything in one stop; clothing, accessories, and props- and definitely for a fraction of the price! If you feel that you are not comfortable with buying used clothes, you can still be part of the process by donating them. Some second-hand stores will pay you a fraction of your clothing’s worth in return! Passing unwanted clothes around your family or friends is another form of recycling them.
Personal gain: Thrifting is a great way to save money and give back to the community at the same time.
10. Reusable cups
Whenever you get your morning coffee from a Tims, Starbucks, or campus café, a cup is being wasted. Think of how often you, and many other students, grab that cup of coffee (or tea). Bringing reusable cups for cold drinks helps the environment as well. These containers have reusable straws which are great because they cut down on plastic straw usage. Plastic, in general, kills sea animals- they either get stuck in it or they ingest it because they think that it is food.[6]
Personal gain: Starbucks gives you a 10-cent discount every time you bring a personal cup and it sells reusable coffee cups for just $2. Campus cafes will also give you a discount if you use the reusable coffee cup from U of T’s frosh week.