Consider consuming more plant-based foods. Plants require fewer resources to grow and distribute than meats, lowering the cost and carbon emissions. In comparison to all other meats, beef leaves the largest carbon footprint, requiring more land and more feed to raise a cow. Cutting out just red meats will decrease your carbon emissions from food bymore than a quarter and eating vegan will decrease it by two thirds. But if you aren't ready to give meat up yet, try including more poultry and plants, in your diet since the carbon emissions are much less.
Of course, not everyone can make these lifestyle changes, but maintaining a habit to do everything possible, including little things like using reusable water bottles and containers, or bringing your own grocery bags, can have a large positive impact in the future. And you can never go wrong with observing the Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle mantra.
Combating climate change is an effort that every human must take part in. It is worrisome that many people don’t realize the permanent impact they make on the environment, especially since the negative effects are everywhere. You don’t have to install solar panels on your house or stop doing your laundry to be environmentally friendly. But when you are conscious of the things you consume and your impact on the environment, it may inspire you to make necessary changes for yourself and the world.
Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (Nov 26, 2020) www.c2es.org
Energy Education from University of Calgary (Nov 30, 2020) www.energyeducation.ca
Green Eatz Blog (Nov 26, 2020) greeneatz.com
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (Nov 30, 2020) www.energy.gov
North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (Nov 30, 2020) www.energync.org
National Geographic Encyclopedia (Nov 26, 2020) www.nationalgeographic.org
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (Dec 15, 2021) www.ipcc.ch
The United Nations (Dec 15, 2020) www.un.org
Union of Concerned Scientists (Nov 26, 2020) www.ucsusa.org
Zero Waste America (ZWA) (Nov 26, 2020) www.zerowasteamerica.org