Can the actions of one person have an impact when it comes to climate change?
Climate change is an issue that we would all like someone else to deal with. Whether it’s scientists in white coats, politicians sitting around tables, or the CEOs of international companies, everyone has their own idea of who should be fixing problems like global warming or our total dependence on fossil fuels. However, here’s where an old truth comes in: if you want something done right, do it yourself!
What can I do about Climate Change?
One of the easiest ways to have a positive impact is to reduce your energy usage. The best thing about reducing energy usage is that is also reduces your energy bill, so there’s a financial incentive for your work. Switching your light bulbs to CFLs is a great start, as is looking for energy efficient replacements whenever your current household appliances develop faults. Using a cold wash for your laundry and the summer heat for your drying are also good ideas. There are countless ways to cut down, and they all add up in the end.
Invest in Solar Panels and other renewable energy technologies
Renewable energy is the only environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. There are a huge range of renewable energy technologies on offer and they can lead to massive energy savings in the long run. The costs of solar panels are plummeting, down 80% on 2008, and the technology is only getting better, lasting longer and working harder. For a typical home solar PV system, you could end up reducing carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering thirty tonnes over the lifetime of the product. With the price of electricity set to keep on rising, investing in a solar panel is both good for the planet and great for your bank balance.
Be a Conscious Consumer
Another way to help the planet is by thinking about what you buy and who you buy it from. As Anna Lappe puts it, “every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want.” Shop at your local farmer’s market instead of at a supermarket. Not only is the produce fresher, but it hasn’t travelled across the world at great energy cost either. Another great tip is to check Freecycle before buying a new product to see if someone has what you need already. If enough people cut demand by reusing instead of buying new, then wasteful manufacturing can be slowed, or even reversed.
Take steps towards preventing climate change. Complete Renewables are a group of renewable energy developers and installers based in Essex.