6 ways you and your family can take action now on climate change

you have no doubt read Already about the latest Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Or maybe you are thinking about how to improve the world For our children or grandchildren. Whatever the reason, you may be someone who wants to know how you can contribute to the fight against climate change, but you’re not sure where to start. The good news is that there are many ways you can contribute – with research support – and many of them can also save money.

(1) Reduce your meat intake

One of the easiest ways to reduce your emissions is to reduce your meat intake. research It found that switching to a plant-based diet (vegetarian with seafood) or an all-vegetarian diet compared to traditional diets could reduce 45% or 55% (respectively) of agricultural emissions. even in reduce meat To weekends or one day a week can earn a significant percentage of these emissions savings and, in most cases, saves on groceries costs.

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From today’s RTÉ Radio 1, Professors Jessica Fanzo and Eddie Punch from ICSA discuss the Lancet Report on Reducing Meat Consumption

(2) Watch your food waste

You may not realize how much food is wasted, but Project Drag Estimates Nearly a third of the world’s food is never eaten. This is both a waste of resources and a contributor to the climate, with uneaten food contributing to emissions at every stage of production. The solution is simple: realize that you are not buying, cooking, or ordering more than you need. Again, doing this effectively can also save you money.

(3) Limit driving and flying

Another way to reduce your emissions is to reduce driving and flying. ride a bike or walk when possible; Reduce your flights (which in the contexts of Covid-19 Means Fewer connections as well). These decisions are among the most important transformations that individuals can make, such as Seth Waynes And Kimberly Nicholas found in Research. What is its importance? Car-free living can save the equivalent of 2.4 tons of carbon dioxide per year, while just avoiding it One A round trip across the Atlantic saves 1.6 tons – not to mention the cost and complexity of flying.

(4) Talk about climate change to others

Another free thing you can do is think and talk about climate change with others in your daily life. climate world Kathryn Hayhoe she has argue Talking about climate change – what it means for your community or for Ireland as a whole – is already showing others something real: most people care about climate change and take it seriously. If you don’t know how to talk about climate change, or want to learn more about it, you have produced Several useful videos.

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From TED, Kathryn Hayhoe on why the most important thing you can do to combat climate change is to talk about it

But expressing your concern for climate change shouldn’t be limited to speaking in person. It can include voting on green policies, advocating for radio shows, or writing letters to the editor in response to articles. All this can indicate that you are a citizen who cares about this issue.

(5) Look around your house

When you’re upgrading your home or replacing old appliances, making smart climate choices for your home can make a big difference to the climate impact. On a smaller scale, replace your old incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED lights. It may cost more now, but Newer bulbs last longer and cost less energy over timeThese energy savings are climate benefits.

For most people, air conditioners and refrigerators are major contributors to their impact on the climate, since older appliances use something called «HFC . Refrigerant‘, which are very efficient heating gases. If Irish consumers Request for alternative chemicals Like NH3, CO2 and N2, the upcoming shift from harmful to climate-smart devices could become easier for the country as a whole.

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From RTÉ Radio 1’s Ryan Tubridy Show, WEEE Ireland’s Declan McKelwin answers questions about common home appliance problems

(6) Supporting environmental groups

Even if you have limited time or energy to change your behavior, you can contribute to helping others do so by donating to effective environmental groups. There are many ways to think Effectiveness in environmental charities. For example, you can choose the best Climate Solutions And find out which charities are working on the best solutions, such as Rainforest Nations Alliance To save tropical forests, or International Population Services that Empowering women and girls in relation to reproductive health– Activities that come with it Climate benefits.

Or you can look at organizations that are actively changing their policy, where Clean Air Task Force, Which Founders Pledge (Charity Assessor) Estimate Prevents a ton of carbon dioxide for approximately 0.02 to 0.61 euros in donations. Other Politics Charity Climate lobby for citizens, which is trying to impose carbon taxes – the policy we already are Successfully here in Ireland-To the United States.

The Irish response to Covid-19 has been to take an interest in protecting others, from wearing masks to getting vaccinated. These ways of contributing to the fight against climate change will also contribute to protecting others – around the world and those yet to be born.

The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ