It’s no secret that climate change is progressing at an alarmingly rapid pace, but one thing that’s changed over the past year is the public’s attitude toward the phenomenon known as global warming.
In one survey, “some 70% of survey participants said they were more aware now than before COVID-19 that human activity threatens the climate and that degradation of the environment, in turn, threatens humans.”
With the majority of survey participants responding that environmental action should be prioritized at or above the level of public health, there seems to have been a massive shift in public opinion when compared to pre-virus attitudes. The fact that we’ve endured the loss and isolation of COVID-19 and still rank environmental reforms as more important than public health seems in itself indicative of the dire situation in which we find ourselves.
Deepening your awareness of your carbon footprint is the first step in making environmentally-friendly life changes, which have a long-reaching impact far beyond you and your home.
Cultivating Awareness
Psychologist Nathaniel Branden once said, “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
When applied to our own relationship with the environment, Branden’s words allow us to recognize the sheer importance of acknowledging just how much of an impact we have on the earth as individuals. The second part of his quote need not mean we throw our hands up in despair, doomed to live wasteful lives with high carbon footprints. Rather, it signifies a deep acceptance of our role in damaging the natural world, a starting point from which to mend our relationship with the earth.
In addition to the latest statistics on public opinion, another positive shift in the fight against climate change is increased feelings of empowerment. People — especially young people — are approaching their commitment to sustainability with a new fire. They’re becoming more aware of how their own habits and lifestyles impact the environment, for good and for bad.
One way to deepen your awareness in this department is to make use of online carbon footprint calculators, which can help you by estimating your annual carbon footprint and indicating areas in which cutbacks may be beneficial. Another is simply to monitor your electric, water, and gasoline usages. For instance, measuring your water usage can lead to faster leak detection and repair right from the start, an important part of maintaining a healthy and ecologically friendly home.
Or you may decide to focus first on quantifying the impact of your personal consumption habits, from food intake to entertainment subscriptions. The choice is yours, and going green can be personalized to your life. Education and awareness are the first positive steps forward in the fight against climate change.
Jumpstarting Personal Changes
During the awareness phase, you may feel a bit overwhelmed. It can be challenging to try to reform all of your habits and home appliances in one go. But one positive change is enough to start a domino chain of cause-and-effect.
You can start small by reading a book about climate change or go big and completely upgrade your HVAC system. One thing people typically ask when considering green home upgrades is, “What uses the most energy in my home?” The answer:
- Air conditioning and heating (46%)
- Water heating (14%)
- Appliances (13%)
- Lighting (9%)
- TV and media equipment (4%)
Targeting these areas is one of the quickest and surest ways to upgrade your home in an environmentally friendly fashion. Knowing the different impacts of energy-saving measures is key in decision-making, so you can maximize environmental good for every dollar you invest.
For those ready to invest in a new heating and cooling system, smart technologies can intuit temperature based on the number of inhabitants and time of day, along with allowing you to control the temperature from your smartphone.
Even if you can’t afford to install a new, top-of-the-line HVAC system, you can take measures to reduce the workload on your unit. You can make sure to draw your blinds during the day to conserve the inside temperature, for example. It’s also common practice to turn your thermostat off when you’re away at work for the day or on vacation.
There are also smaller ways to reduce your ecological footprint in your everyday life. You may be biking to work or you may be aiming to lessen the carbon footprint of the food you consume by eating local, sustainably farmed produce. Other ways to save energy and reduce waste at home include:
- Trying to reduce waste associated with grocery shopping.
- Installing LED lighting.
- Using automation and smart technology.
- Practicing responsible cleaning habits.
- Reducing water and electric consumption.
- Eating less meat and dairy products.
- Using more public transportation instead of cars.
Expanding Your Sustainable Vision
When it comes to sustainability, making an individual effort is important, but you don’t have to go it alone. Environmental organizations provide support and offer forums to meet like-minded people. Carbon offsetting sites allow you to invest in projects that offset the carbon you do emit, especially when it comes to flights and other unavoidable emissions. Finally, getting your friends and family involved is a great way to create an eco-friendly community that goes beyond just you.
Image Source: Unsplash.
