Jul 06, 2022 07:00:00

What are the effective efforts that individuals can take to stop climate change?

In recent years, the need for various measures to stop climate change has been called for, but some people feel helpless, saying, 'To stop climate change, the power of companies and governments is needed, and there is nothing that individuals can do.' There should be. For such people, Max Callahan, who is enrolled in the doctoral program at the

University of Leeds , England, explains 'effective climate change countermeasures that you can do'.

Here are the most effective things you can do to fight climate change
https://theconversation.com/here-are-the-most-effective-things-you-can-do-to-fight-climate-change-183555

Zero emissions must be achieved by the mid-21st century to keep temperature rises due to global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. To achieve zero emissions, we will reduce carbon emissions by making our lives as clean as possible, while actively removing carbon from the atmosphere to offset the inevitable carbon emissions for the year. It is required to reduce carbon emissions to almost zero.

Callahan points out that while people need to do their best to reduce fossil fuel use to reduce the time to zero emissions, many don't know what to do. The latest

report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) includes 'what individuals can do to control climate change,' based on a study at the University of Leeds. The contents are explained in an easy-to-understand manner.

◆ Things to avoid
The most effective way for individuals to reduce carbon emissions is to 'avoid travel as much as possible.' According to Callahan, switching to a car-free life can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 2 tonnes per person per year, and avoiding long-distance flights will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 1.9 tonnes per person. It is possible. This is said to be comparable to carbon dioxide emissions that make a round trip between Hamburg in Germany and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia with a car of general performance in the EU.

◆ Things to switch
Also, living a sustainable life for climate change is not equal to giving up everything. By switching something to something else, it is possible to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For example, switching to public transportation, walking, cycling, etc. instead of private cars can reduce carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution, as well as benefit personal health.

Similarly, due to the high carbon dioxide emissions associated with meat and dairy products, switching to a more sustainable diet can reduce dietary carbon dioxide emissions. A vegan diet that does not eat meat or dairy products at all is most effective, but simply replacing high carbon dioxide emissions such as beef and mutton with relatively low emissions pork and chicken can also be carbon dioxide. It is said to help reduce carbon emissions.

◆ Things to improve
Installing a heat insulating material or heat pump in a house to maintain a comfortable room temperature by installing a method that does not emit much greenhouse gas, or installing a solar panel to generate electricity with renewable energy also helps to improve carbon efficiency in the home. increase. Even if you have no choice but to use your own car, you can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by switching from a gasoline car to an EV car.

Callahan points out that as many people as possible need to be interested in climate change issues and work to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in order to achieve their ambitious climate change goals. At the same time, we should promote the switch to a more sustainable life from a political perspective, such as setting restrictions on the use of fossil fuel energy and promoting the development of public transportation and bicycle lanes. He argued that there is much that politics can do to change people's behavior.