With so many environmentalists keen to address climate change, it remains crystal that these professionals need support. While some governments could make serious efforts to address climate change, you can also contribute at a personal level. Well, while you might not be able to fund a global green movement campaign, the little you do could go to could go a long way in influencing global climate change. That said, here is what you can do to add more fuel to climate action campaigns.

Use Your Voice

At least every one today knows that future generations do not stand a chance on this planet if things remain unchanged. In light of this, individuals should stand up and engage the political elites or decision-makers on environmental issues. In addition, you might consider joining a social movement that focuses on environmental campaigns. Using your voice could, at least, get people to talk about climate action, which is usually the first step to initiating any change in society today.

Invest in Creation of Sustainable Communities

There is a need to create communities and infrastructure that that clean. In light of this, cities and governments are keen to offer incentives to individuals who can help realise this goal. Currently, the focus is to reduce emissions and waste from households. Besides creating awareness, individuals are also encouraged to offer innovative solutions to develop zero-emission buildings and waste reduction.

Consider Greener Locomotion Options

The transport industry accounts for a considerable portion of the volume of greenhouse gases produced today. You can do many things as an individual on advancing the climate change agenda today. First, you should consider cutting back on flights. Instead, try other options like the electric train or a car. And when flying is unavoidable, you should consider paying a little extra for carbon offsetting. Secondly, instead of getting in a car, why not walk or cycle. For longer trips, you can always take advantage of ride-sharing options and public transport means.

Respect and Protect Green Spaces

The green spaces around you play a vital role in preserving the environment. They absorb carbon dioxide, regulate urban temperatures, and reduce the risk of flooding. At a personal level, you should be at the forefront in ensuring that green spaces are conserved. Better yet, you should also consider planting a tree and create your green space.

As you try to make these positive changes, you should embrace the fact that results might take longer than you expected. Therefore, you do not have to be confrontational or too aggressive. Instead, you should be alive to the challenges facing society today and remain optimistic. The best thing about individual commitment is that it is transmitted to other institutions.

Everyday pollutants including methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons, and ozone gases leave a massive impact on the environment. Besides the global warming potential, pollutants also significantly affect air, water, food, and economic security for much of the world. As a result, there is a long list of proposed measures to help achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Saying you would act is not enough; you should act now. Delayed efforts to mitigate the effects of pollution pose an adverse and potentially irreversible impact on the environment. Here are some reasons why it is imperative to act now.

To Address Global Warming

Individual actions against pollutants could see a reduction in global temperatures by 0.6 degrees in the following years. However, this can only be achieved if individuals start taking measures to cut down the greenhouse emissions. This temperature reduction will be instrumental in realising the 2 degrees target set by the Paris agreement.

To Improve Global Health

Researchers have established close links between warmer climates and public health issues such as the prevalence of heat aggravated illnesses and decreased access to water and food. Thus, reducing pollution could go a long way in reducing global warming and its related public health issues. For instance, dealing with pollutants such as ozone and black carbon could see a marked reduction in premature deaths blamed on dangerous air pollutants.

To Promote Food Security

Pollution and its effects pose a real threat to global food security. Floods, drought, increase in pests, and diseases hurt global food production. Thus, taking climate action gives you a better chance of managing the risk to food security. Researchers have established that pollution caused by tropospheric ozone, singularly, could cost up to 110 million tonnes in annual losses of the major staple crops.

To Save the Economy

The impact of pollution and global warming on public health, agriculture, and the entire ecosystem has economic consequences. For instance, the massive dip in plant yields caused by pollution costs billions of pounds annually. The financial burden caused by pollution can be addressed by cutting down short-lived pollutants at an individual level.

Immediate actions to address pollution promise a long list of short-term benefits. Combined, these benefits aid in the realisation of the SDGs.

Private transport remains to be one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gases. In our car-dominated cities, we all have a responsibility to relook into our daily commute options so that we can reduce the ever-rising emission figures.

The journey to and from work are the bookends of the daily grind. But how you choose to travel to the office is one of the most significant decisions you can make in addressing climate change personally. In the UK, for instance, the transport sector is responsible for emitting more greenhouse gases than any other industry.

So, choosing greener transport means goes a long way in reducing your carbon footprint. For instance, you might consider looking at ‘cleaner’ alternatives like using public means if you often drive to work. If you have to use a car, you might consider buying a new car or even an electric vehicle.

Can you walk to work? You stand to make an immediate contribution towards reducing carbon emissions by prioritising walking more in your short street travels. The more we embrace walking, even while taking kids to school, the higher chances that this change will be sustained over time.

As you consider walking kids to school, this move will also impact a positive attitude about taking care of the environment. In addition, you should educate your kids on the benefits of walking to school, not just on the environment, but also on their health.

Cycling could be another alternative that shares many of the climate benefits of walking. This is primarily a personal issue, but it can be spearheaded through policy change. However, policy changes could also be central to this change. Ideally, when governments invest in cycling infrastructure, it becomes easy for individuals to embrace cycling.

Most of the world is conscious of the danger posed by climate change. Yet, even though most people agree on the need to take climate action, it still remains the elephant of the room. Climate action requires significant sacrifice and action. While there have been serious investments and deliberate efforts to address pollution and climate change, here are some challenges that hold us from winning this ‘fight.’

Greenhouse gases Can’t Be Contained

C02 is a global pollutant, meaning its effects of greenhouse emissions are usually felt on a global scale, far from where it was produced. Therefore, if an industry in the US produces a tonne of CO2, London might feel the potential effects. Unlike other local pollutants, the inability to manage greenhouses is often seen as a real impediment to the fight against climate change.

Effects of Climate Change Could Still Be “Hypothetical

You feel the effects of pollutants produced now in the future. This is another reason why the fight against climate change could be far from over. The fact that people who stand to be harmed by climate changes are yet to be born does not offer enough incentive for policymakers who are only interested in the now.

Most people tend to ignore climate change, mainly because the effects seem too underwhelming now. However, recent reports on climate change paint a worrying picture about the future.

As the climate crisis becomes more apparent, the political elite is still not decisive in taking climate action. Lack of decisive and comprehensive restorative steps now will undoubtedly see humans welcome ab environmental apocalypse where temperatures in some parts of the world will be unbearable.

Other effects of climate change are that food shortage will soon become a norm, some countries will be underwater, breathing will not be as easy as it is, and pandemics might increase due to disease mutations. Lack of immediate climate action could be a recipe for social, economic, and political chaos.

The Political Connection

Despite the evidence, there is still no significant political action. It is worth noting that members of the public remain divided on environmental matters. And unfortunately, the political class remains indifferent. Therefore, as much as environmental laws and policies are in place, the volume of global pollution might still keep rising unless attitudes and perceptions towards climate action change. If things remain as they currently are, natural disasters could help address some challenges towards climate action.