The world is no stranger to the ongoing climate crisis. While many are split on whether the crisis is real or if it’s as bad as people say, others are doing their part to help combat the crisis altogether. It might seem like there is nothing we can do to help or that there is no point in helping, but that’s simply not the case. There are plenty of things people can do to help our planet in the long run. Below is a list of some of the things you can do to help.
- Get political. Let your local government know you’re interested in the environment by getting environmental issues on the table. You can do this by writing letters to your state’s governor, signing petitions that benefit the environment, and holding protests outside your state’s government building.
- Cutting down on carbon emissions. Simply carpooling to an event or riding your bike, can help cut down on the amount of carbon in the air.
- Plant a tree. Another way to cut down on carbon emissions is to plant trees. Deforestation has left lasting effects on our planet because with every tree that’s cut down, a new one isn’t planted in its place. Trees help take the excess carbon dioxide in the air and turn it into oxygen for us to breathe. You know photosynthesis.
- Delete your old emails. You may be wondering how your email inbox affects the climate crisis. While no paper is used, you’re still contributing to carbon emissions.
- Changing up your diet. It may be crazy to think that what we eat affects the planet, but it does. The amount of water it takes to produce some of the food we eat is a lot when we think about it. Switching to a plant-based diet can help with this. It is good to note that a plant-based diet isn’t for everyone and may not work for everyone. So in this case, changing one thing like drinking oat milk instead of dairy milk can make a huge difference as well.
- Cut back on food waste. We waste so much food in our day-to-day lives. Simply eating smaller portions or composting our leftovers can help here. Make sure to check if a food can be composted because not all can.
- Shop smart and eco-friendly. Cutting down on buying fast fashion, single-use plastics, and non-sustainable products can also help. Simply buying a reusable water bottle or going to the thrift store can make a big difference. It is good to note that not everyone can cut out fast fashion from their shopping, so do what you can. But make sure to watch out for greenwashing.
Since April is the host of Earth Day, companies will most likely take advantage of this all month long, using a marketing technique called greenwashing. But what is greenwashing? According to investopedia.com, greenwashing is “the process of conveying a false impression or providing misleading information about how a company’s products are more environmentally sound.” This is a very popular marketing technique that many companies have been called out for in the past. Companies like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and IKEA are just a few examples.
There are plenty of other things you can do to help combat the climate crisis. Simply doing some research to find out more can be a great place to start. Overall, if we each do our part every day, we can help combat the climate crisis and save the planet.
Harley Johnson
Executive Editor