Climate Change: Five things you can do to help

In case you missed it, it’s getting hot in here.

But in all seriousness, The United Nations has warned that the planet will reach its global warming limit within the next 20 years, causing irreversible environmental damage and climate change.

The latest report calls for urgent changes and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Climate change is now, truly, an immediate threat.

You might be sat there feeling a little helpless, you’re just one person, how can you make a difference? Well STOP.

You may just be one small fish in a sea of 7.6 billion (ish) people, but that doesn’t mean you can’t help out, tiny fish friend.

One small change can make a big difference, and if we all contribute, we can help the planet out in bigger ways than we ever thought possible. Plus, you’ve got us, your favourite neighbourhood pandas, to guide you.

So, here are five things you can do to help reverse the effects of climate change.

WALK or CYCLE

Stop getting in your car to go to the shops. You know it’s not good for our lovely planet, so stop. Get out and stretch those legs of yours, that’s why you’ve got them.

Cars are a major contributor to pollution – with vehicles accounting for 60% of total CO2 emissions from road transport in Europe. Keep your carbon footprint minimal by strolling, cycling, hopping, jogging, unicycling, or tandem-bike-riding (but not on your own).

The only acceptable car is the one from The Flintstones that you push with your feet, but for that, you’ll need thighs made of rock…
 

Less meat, less emissions

Livestock is responsible for around 15% of world emissions and, according to researchers at the University of Oxford (the smart guys), adopting a plant-based diet is one of the best ways to reduce your impact on the environment.

It may not be something you want to hear, but cutting down on your meat/dairy intake is a great way to help fight climate change. Switching up your diet and having a few more portions of fruit and veg could help our precious planet recover a little.

To put it bluntly, we need to reduce the number of gassy cows and plant more carbon-inhaling trees. Imagine if you just sat on your sofa tooting away, your house would get hot too. That’s what’s happening to the Earth.

Staycation, staycation, staycation

Listen. We know the weather here is fickle. It’s as reliable as that package turning up when you’ve been waiting inside all day for it…

BUT. The places you can go in the UK are incredible, plus, you don’t need to fly to get there. And what does flying a plane do? Causes more carbon emissions. So, go on a Staycation instead.

Think about it – no 4am flight, no security-induced anxiety and you can take as much moisturiser in huge bottles as you want – no 100ml limit here.

And you might just discover something, or somewhere, that was right under your nose this whole time.

Reduce your SUPs

What’s SUP?

No, it’s not a friendly greeting from the 90s/early 2000s. SUP stands for Single Use Plastic, and they need reducing, fast. 

Think of how you can use less or, if it’s unavoidable, reuse them as much as you can.

Invest in a fancy, reusable coffee cup rather than using the cups at your local café, they end up in landfills and cause damage to the planet. Or switch out your cupboard full of plastic bags for a couple of bags-for-life. 

Simple switches, big difference!

That’s what’s SUP.

Stay social

Bit of a strange one but – use your social media platforms. Social media is a powerful tool and has seen numerous climate campaigns go global, raising awareness for important causes.

Greta Thunberg’s efforts are a great example, as is Extinction Rebellion. Use your voice to spread the word around climate change – even just sharing content to make others aware is enough.

There are, sadly, still people out there who deny that all of this is happening, even though it’s literally occurring in front of their eyes. It’s our duty to help them understand the impact that climate change is having on our planet.

One small change can make a big difference, and you have that power. So use it (and then reuse it).

Love,

Team Cheeky Panda x