Changing our lifestyles won’t be enough- we need to do more
Although sustainable lifestyle choices are a good way for us all to chip in when it comes to fighting climate change, there is more we can do. And even though it might not be our moral duty to force the issue, in the long-term it won’t make a difference.
Whether it’s plastic straws, or changing that old lightbulb and getting an LED installed instead, is changing our behaviours and consumption habits going to make a difference?
The short answer to that somewhat-rhetorical question is, yes… but also, no… Because it’s not as simple as saying that:
‘No, what you, as a lone individual do is immaterial,’ or ‘Yes, you can help save the planet by buying paper straws!’
We’re all on the hook for climate change. There isn’t a single one of us that hasn’t somehow, in some way, contributed to carbon emissions or some other form of environmental pollution.
(Here we can go off on a tangent about how the modern industrialised world makes it impossible for a human to conceivably live without damaging the environment, but we’ll leave that for now!)
We’re in this mess, whether we like it or not
We should all be taking steps to limit our carbon footprint, so installing LED lightbulbs and wearing a jumper indoors instead of jacking up the heat is certainly something to do when we can.
Then there’s the whole consumer goods and packaging/shipping cycle to consider. Taking the bus or walking instead of driving and adding to all the congestion.
Perhaps even flying less…but advice like that is where it starts to get a little complicated, if not downright hypocritical.
Because who are, at the end of the day, the people most responsible for climate change?
So rich people are bad?
Well, that’s neither here nor there but the evidence is there to show that the world’s richest are driving climate change…
That paper straw doesn’t feel so useful now, huh. But before you think about going for a drive nowhere, booking a flight in a private jet, or even buying a shipment of plastic straws, remember that this isn’t a statistic meant to absolve you. If anything, it’s to remind you that our individual lifestyle choices are not enough. There is more to be done to achieve the desired results. It’s your planet.
How can we help?
Put more pressure on our governments, businesses, and work toward changing our lifestyles. The latter of those three is undoubtedly important, but it is certainly not enough.
Whether it’s writing to your local MPs and political representatives, or joining a political lobbying group, there are ways to push for change at a legislative level. The fossil fuel companies have been doing that for a while themselves, and with a much higher budget, so we need to fight back- now, more than ever.
Where possible, look at supporting businesses and products that are sustainable, continuing that trend of lowering your carbon footprint. Or, cheaper still, if you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
As they say, ‘vote with your wallet.’
Back in November, we looked at the Carbon Disclosure Project’s (CDP) ‘A List’ cities for 2021.
Nottingham is on the list because it has been disclosing its carbon emissions data, with plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2028.
The CDP also rates businesses according to their impacts on climate change, forests and water security; you can search through the companies they scored on their website.
Have a look and see if your workplace has been scored. Or ask why the business you shop at isn’t disclosing their data; companies are more than twice as likely to disclose if they are pressured by their investors. Can they be doing more to fight climate change?
In some cases it will be hard difficult to change our behaviours, especially when greener alternatives are more expensive, but that shouldn’t stop us demanding better from those who can make a real difference. Make yourself heard on social media, get involved with your local community and ask questions of those in power.
Don’t let yourself off. Get involved.
Matthew Thomas, Community Development Assistant