Climate change is real. It is a huge threat that is slowly destroying the planet. If we don’t acknowledge it now, it may become too late. However, all of us making minimal changes to our lifestyle can lead to significant change. A change for the better.
If you sit and think about the issues facing our planet, it’s quite worrying. I’ve never been one to preach about protecting the environment and the importance of decreasing climate change. Yet, over the past few months it has constantly been on my mind.
After doing my research, it enlightened me on how much people have really damaged this planet. It’s time to recognize and hold ourselves accountable. The Coronavirus problem our world is currently situated in should not dismiss this global issue that has been around for much longer.
The issue with littering and the effects you never knew it had:
Being out and about, I have nearly always seen somebody littering. Whether that be throwing their rubbish out of a car window or leaving it in a park for someone else to pick up.
I’m sure we were all astounded to witness how many people were on Bournemouth beach back in June. This was not only a huge risk to life, but also to the environment. As bins are left overflowing, many left their rubbish on the beach. If the water comes in or the wind picks up, most will drift off into the sea and down drains. Take your rubbish home to avoid things like this.
Many marine wildlife can mistake things, such as plastic, for food. This can affect seabirds, turtles, seals and many more. The United Nations stated that as many as 800 species have been affected by marine debris worldwide. The majority being plastic.
Many materials contain germs and are non-biodegradable. This can pollute water sources and create diseases such as cholera. Your litter effects eco-systems.
The majority of rubbish from bins ends up in landfill. When it is decomposing, it releases methane. This is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Releases of gases, such as this, contributes to the planet heating up.
But most of the waste we put in bins can be recycled. It’s important for us all to check what we throw away and make sure that we’re all being eco-friendly.
It’s not just littering. There are a whole range of issues contributing to the problem. This can include the excessive use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and farming. Even simple things such as leaving the water running when you’re not using it, filling the kettle up with more water then you need, or eating a lot of meat can all contribute to climate change.
The effect on everything that lives amongst us:
The planet heating up can cause a range of disruptions for all the living. It can cause floods, droughts, wildfires and spread of diseases.
“With temperatures rising and unpredictable weather, diseases such as Cholera and Ebola can ruin lives.”
Many of these destroy vital crops for communities and destroy homes. Animals lose their habitats and sources that help them to thrive in the wild. This could lead to extinction, being vulnerable to human infliction and confrontation with people over habitats and food. Destruction of eco-systems disrupts nature.
A few years ago, I remember watching a specific WWF advert. It was of a starving polar bear on a patch of ice floating on the water. As heartbreaking as it was watching something like that, it’s necessary. With rising water levels and the planet becoming hotter, species like this suffer.
With temperatures rising and unpredictable weather, diseases such as Cholera and Ebola can ruin lives.
I remember in science lessons at school, talking about climate change and the effects it has on the environment was a topic that was quickly brushed over. It is up to us to care about it and educate ourselves. Websites such as WWF, offer informative descriptions on why we should care about our planet.
How can I be more sustainable?
It’s actually extremely easy and simple. I know many people don’t talk about climate change as there are ‘bigger’ things going on in the world or some don’t believe it exists. Even so, how can a threat to our environment not be serious enough to be spoken about? There’s no doubting that trying to be more eco-friendly can have a positive aftermath on the planet.
As I start college soon, I’ve been in the phase of panic buying all the stuff I’ll need. One important way of reducing your plastic bottle buying, is getting a metal one instead. I always have water, and the thought of constantly buying plastic bottles doesn’t sit well with me. A lot of plastic can take years, even hundreds of years to decompose. It’s not only environmentally friendly but it saves money too.
But I understand that it can sometimes be convenient to buy a plastic water bottle. If you do, try to buy bottles that can be recycled and that it goes in the recyclable bin. The same goes for glass. Any jars or glass bottles should be recycled and taken to places such as bottle banks.
Another big thing is straws. Not so long ago there was a surge in fast food joints and restaurants using paper straws. Although this is a step in the right direction, places such as Starbucks still give you a drink with a paper straw, but a plastic cup. This totally defeats the purpose.
I for one understand how annoying paper straws are. In contrast to paper straws, there are also metal straws. They are cheap to buy and save the frustration of dealing with a soggy paper straw. Nonetheless, paper straws are an improvement of cutting down on plastic.
What else can I do?
Even at Christmas, we have started using brown paper. Most of your traditional wrapping paper can’t be recycled. A good way to check if it is recyclable is to do the scrunch test. If it stays in a ball, it most likely can be recycled.
“Small changes can lead to a huge difference.”
When buying fruit and vegetables, try to go for products not wrapped in plastic. Although it’s not always easy, as the majority is covered in it. There was positive news not so long ago that Morrisons was trying out paper bags in a few of its stores. If customers are happy with it, it will be in all of their shops. Why don’t all supermarkets follow their example? You could also take your own bags when you go shopping, reducing the amount of plastic bags bought.
Something that I have been trying to do lately is using products that are environmentally friendly. I recently bought a product that uses honey and contributes to bee welfare. This could also mean buying shampoo bottles and other packaging that can be recycled.
Small changes can lead to a huge difference. So, what are you going to do?
Robyn Lawrence
Featured image courtesy of Markus Spiske via Unsplash.