According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, humanity has until 2030 to significantly transform our energy system or else we will face catastrophic results like the increase of droughts, stronger hurricanes, and rising sea levels. These events will cost the US millions of dollars over the next few decades. As Delaware being the lowest-lying state in the country, we must take action before our state is underwater.
Climate change is a critical issue facing our world, and the university of Delaware can take its own steps to help address and mitigate the effects on our campus. I recognize that enacting change on a large scale is difficult, to say the least. Nonetheless, on the front of climate change we must do everything in our power to combat these issues as quickly as possible. This article addresses potential ways that you, the university, and the nation can help society by reducing our carbon footprint.
The popularity of single mitigation actions has been studied widely. Research shows that more than two thirds of people report to have personally taken action to mitigate climate change in Australia and New Zealand (Korkala, 2014). In the U.S., climate change mitigation actions most commonly taken include reducing energy consumption and recycling (Semanza, 2008 & 2011). In the UK, actions such as turning off lights when they are not in use and turning off tap, stopping running water while brushing teeth are popular (Whitmarsh L, 2011). On the whole, people are most willing to perform mitigation actions that are perceived as low-cost in terms of money, time and effort (Tobler 2012).
Encouraging individuals to take action is extremely important for overall success to climate change mitigation. By changing people’s perception and personal responses to climate change we could ultimately triumph. Simple alternatives in individual behavior can significantly impact global warming. We must identify actions that reduce energy consumption and waste of products. Primarily looking at a personal level, these are some key points to do to positively mitigate climate change.
What You can do to mitigate Climate Change and reduce your carbon footprint:
- Shop locally – Supporting small business and reduces travel
- Do not waste food (Eat your leftovers!) – According to one study, 40% of food is wasted daily
- Carpool – Reduce individual travel emissions and saves money!
- Shop for only what’s necessary – Minimalism – A documentary about the important things
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! – Fundamental cycle of habit to do daily
Let’s look at it through the lens of our great former President, John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Now, translate that idea globally! The world is the only habitual place we call home. Meanwhile, shooting a rocket to Mars and creating a new form of civilization sounds remarkable, in reality it will take us a lot years and effort to execute this idea when we can use that same energy towards our current home.
Let us not roll the dice any longer and take action towards creating a more sustainable planet. Mindfulness and integrity play a huge role in behavior towards mitigation, though every individual may struggle a bit, it is only a matter of habit change. With formation to more sustainable habits, we are able to reduce our individual carbon footprint – essentially reducing the use fossil fuels. Shifting our focus on what we can control first, then protesting against industries of major fossil fuel users is ideal. By taking these small steps to reduce our carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels, we can preserve our planet for current and future generations.
References:
Semenza, J. C., Ploubidis, G. B., & George, L. A. (2011). Climate change and climate variability: personal motivation for adaptation and mitigation. Environmental health : a global access science source, 10, 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/1476-069X-10-46
Semenza JC, Hall DE, Wilson DJ, Bontempo BD, Sailor DJ, et al. (2008) Public perception of climate change voluntary mitigation and barriers to behavior change. Am J Prev Med 35: 479–487.
Whitmarsh L, Seyfang G, O’Neill S (2011) Public engagement with carbon and climate change: To what extent is the public ‘carbon capable’? Global Environ Change 21: 56–65
Tobler C, Visschers VHM, Siegrist M (2012) Addressing climate change: Determinants of consumers’ willingness to act and to support policy measures. J Environ Psychol 32: 197–207
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