Environmentalism – Why and How
Before getting started I want to say I’m hardly the perfect model here, nor am I a climate science expert.
I’d say I’m not that different from most mainstream folk from Upstate New York. Taking actions to protect the environment is not something that I’ve dedicated a large part of my time or attention to.
However, because of my similarity with those who I imagine will be reading this page, perhaps I can convince someone else who doesn’t see themselves as radical. I’d like to show that it is possible to reduce your impact on the environment without taking drastic steps.
I also want to nod with respect to Greta Thunberg who has made the climate crisis much more visible to people everywhere. Her obstinacy and clear sight are influencing many to take our impact on the environment more seriously.
Just as she dedicated one-fifth of her school week to the future of humanity, I would like to reserve one-fifth of this site to articles dedicated to the environment and ways we can lower our impact on it.
Why
If you are already convinced that protecting the environment is necessary please jump ahead to the How section.
Now to the underlying question: Why do we need to act to help the environment?
I grew up in a place where climate-change denial was perhaps not common, but it wasn’t laughed away either.
I know those opinions are still out there.
Sometimes people will claim that the planet has gone through wild changes in terms of CO2 levels and temperatures before – why can’t it do the same again now? Or they will say that we’re currently in a warming and cooling cycle and human impacts on the environment can’t be proven.
Let’s brush aside the altruistic reasons for protecting the environment because though noble, I don’t think they affect everyone the same way.
To me, the most poignant argument is that we should protect the environment because it is us, the humans, who have the most to lose.
Yes, the planet has gone through cycles of heating and cooling before, but not with us around. The planet will be just fine without us, however, we will not be fine without the environment we have evolved to survive in.
The Best Figures
I would love to put convincing statistics and figures here, but as I said, I’m no expert.
The data will continue to change, and it will become more and more precise – I don’t think I can keep up. Nevertheless, there are climate experts who have been saying for a long time that our impacts on the environment need to be reduced.
Just as you would go to a doctor when you are sick and you would trust their judgement – we should go to these people who have devoted their lives to learning about the natural world for their judgement.
Climate scientists, in overwhelming majority, say that we need to lower our burden on the environment and we need to begin immediately.
When you don’t know all the details in a given scenario it is usually best to choose the conservative action. By that I mean to say, the action that is most likely to leave you with future choices.
In this case, it means reducing our environmental impact as much as possible. If the scientists are wrong, we lose nothing in reducing our impact, if the scientists are right, we stand to gain immeasurably.
If you want to consult what the scientists say directly here are a few links to respected organisations:
Environmental Protection Agency
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
How
Now that you know why we need to act, here are the ways that you can have the most impact:
Pressure your representatives – This is a hard one to gauge. No matter how optimistic I am about democracy and the importance of voting I’ve never finished writing a letter or voting in a national election without feeling that it was futile.
However, we have representatives and they are supposed to champion the causes that are in our best interest. Please make it known to them what your interests are. You get double points for seeking out the representatives that are closest to you, meaning local or state representatives.
According to the Census Bureau, in America, you are one of ~333 million other people. Your voice will easily be drowned out on that scale, but on a state scale, or even better, on the municipal scale you have a much better chance of being heard.
Write a letter, show up to vote, join a protest, get your neighbors to vote!
Convince others – Want to double your impact in one sole action? Convince someone else to take the same steps as you.
Make changes in your personal life
This is the easiest action to take. It involves no one else and will probably save you money and make you healthier.
Before starting to make any changes it makes sense to take a baseline measurement. See this carbon footprint calculator to get an idea of what impact you have.
Diet – According to Our World in Data “food production is responsible for one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.” If you’re a typical American or ‘Westerner,’ eating is something that you probably do three times a day, every day, for your whole life.
Think of the opportunity – you have a chance to directly lessen your impact on the world multiple times a day!
See the graph below to get an idea of how much your choices can matter.
Just by substituting chicken for beef, you can cut your environmental impact dramatically. If you opt to minimize the number of meals you eat that contain meat you can even further reduce your impact.
I’m not going to tell you how to eat or what not to eat so no need to get defensive.
I think that most people would agree that acting on behalf of the environment is a good idea, they just aren’t sure where to start.
I started with my diet.
After reading Eating Animals by Jonathan Safron Foer I went vegan for a good six months. Since then, I’ve relaxed into being a vegetarian who occasionally eats meat at family gatherings.
Vegan/vegetarianism diet deserves its own site so I won’t go in-depth here, but what you choose to do has huge implications for your carbon footprint.
Travel – As an American, I grew up used to the idea that driving was essential. It was 8 miles to my hometown highschool and 12 to the next biggest city. Just buying groceries required a car. Nevertheless, our carbon footprints are so much greater when we use cars extensively.
If you don’t have the option of living in a town consider at least carpooling or minimizing the number of unnecessary trips every week. If you live close enough to bike or if there is bus service, consider doing that a few times a month.
I do live in a city and the ability to walk or bike where I need to go is incredible! It makes me healthier, happier, and more in tune with my community. All that, plus I save on gas and car expenses.
If you will soon be house hunting and notice that houses outside of town are cheaper, don’t forget to add car expenses to the price of the house to get the real cost. And remember that it isn’t just money you’ll be spending on your daily commute but your irreplaceable time as well.
Purchases – I’m not sure how this affects the carbon footprint but it’s unquestionable that all our purchases end up cluttering our living spaces and will someday end up in the landfill. Where possible buy used and search for reparable items. That way you won’t be directly encouraging the overproduction of goods. Try not to buy items packaged in plastic.
Waste – If you have access to an outside space consider setting up a compost pile. Make sure to recycle containers whenever you can’t re-use them. Bring fabric bags to the grocery store every time. Keep a pile of them in your car.
Can you think of other ways to reduce one’s impact on the environment? Should I cite some other sites or information here? Please let me know!