The daunting nature of climate change should not be a reason to avoid its presence. Climate change is not even a looming, future concern.
It has arrived.
Ignoring it would be like having someone stop by your home uninvited and ignoring them as they cut up your bed, ripped up your paintings, and slowly cut away every brick that makes your home a viable shelter. Meanwhile you sit on your couch and sip Starbucks, while your house is being dismantled.
Climate change is that unwanted guest and we can’t ignore her any longer.
I will be the first to admit that I am not a perfectly eco-friendly person. I love to shop and I am guilty of picking up a coffee to-go.
And I have been there, reading the news and coming across an intimidating title such as the United Nations report on global emissions, and am struck with a deep desire to flip to the next most enticing news clip.
It’s human to want to privilege the good news over the bad news. But it’s also important, as a human, to listen to the realities of what’s happening in our home.
“I will always try to live my life ‘eco-responsibly’, walk lightly on the Earth and hope that people will follow by example but that simply is not the most important thing” - My Wise Friend
We all have questions about the environment, but the plethora of documents available can make the entire dialogue seem inaccessible.
I’m here to save you from the scientific jargon and political speak of traditional pieces on climate change. I’ve left the big titles behind to create a distilled must-read on climate change, with basic insights and practical tips on what you can do to effect change.
We’ll start with the facts, then move into what you can do. Here we go.
Pretty staggering isn't it? This means that despite your best efforts to bring your reusable mug (which I still support you doing - see below) the impact is small relative to the bulk of emissions being
So who are these 100 companies, and how exactly are they getting away with harming the planet so disproportionately? They are the usual suspects, of course. But don’t they know that we all live and breathe here? Yes they do.
The good news is that addressing the behaviours of these companies “may hold the key to systemic change on carbon emissions”. The bad news is that these companies are extremely powerful, and very wealthy.
A very wise friend of mine opened my eyes to the role that these companies play in our narratives on climate change (many many thanks to you, John Nathaniel Gertler).
The primary narrative on climate change encourages the individual to use less plastic and reduce their carbon footprint, which is a noble endeavour that I still believe in. But I have to come to see that it distracts us from the systemic change required (exactly what these companies emitting 71% of global emissions want it to). Collectively our efforts to buy second hand clothing and not grab the convenient plastic fork only amounts to addressing 29% of global emissions. Shocking isn't it?
These companies have accomplished a massively successful endeavour in “convinc[ing] people that the problem is THEM and that we need to make small changes in our own lives to become more eco-responsible, deflecting the real responsibility which is on them - the biggest polluters”. Activism and education are thus the most important actions we can take in saving the planet from the weight of emissions.
JNG, my insightful friend who is a genuine activist and contemplative individual, puts it this way: “I will always try to live my life ‘eco-responsibly’, walk lightly on the Earth and hope that people will follow by example but that simply is not the most important thing”. To his mind, and now to mine, the most effective thing we can do is try to affect systemic change in addressing the 71% emissions created by a small few.
Pretty stark isn’t it? I told you my friend is wise.
This massive task cannot be tackled by environmentalists alone. It is imprudent to view climate change as a “tree hugger” issue. It is a now a human issue.
Not to sound dramatic (but at the same time, to sound dramatic) this is a fight for all life on earth. So often the narrative turns into one that focuses on saving the planet, but in reality, “the planet would be fine without us. It has been fine without us before”.
This affects you. This affects me. This is something to unite all of humankind.
Climate change is not a future problem - it is a NOW problem and it’s urgent.
To many, climate change is in the “future” - an unseen place. Akin to why people aren’t good at saving for retirement - it is for a unseeable future.
But this is not an issue just for our grandchildren. it is something that is affecting people today. The ramifications of overusing the earth are already happening.
It’s referred to as climate (in)justice - witty right? It describes the manner in which the effects of climate change most affect those already living on the edges of society.
Take for example, the inhabitants of the global south. We read about tsunamis and watch horrific clips of lives suddenly interrupted by massive waves that destroy lives, killing and leaving the already impoverished without infrastructure for months and years to come. Bringing with it diseases and absence of basic structures such as schooling and healthcare, making life for those who survived doubly traumatic.
Climate change cannot be tackled by environmentalists alone. It is imprudent to view climate change as a “tree hugger” issue. It is a now a human issue.
For the Indigenous who live in the North of Canada, and rely upon the land for their daily needs. For those who are poor/marginalized, for people of colour - the effect of climate change is already felt and experienced daily. Not to mention its effect on the wildlife with whom we share this sacred earth.
Some of the world’s brightest minds are telling us to wake up. They're telling us that the gorgeous world we know and love (and depend upon) is headed toward catastrophe if we continue to consume and burn fossil fuels at the current rate.
We listen to science in other domains, why not this one? We are vaccinated (most of us) because science tells us it will save us. We eat well and exercise because science tells us it will help us lead longer lives. Science dominates our actions in most areas of life - why not this one?
Greta Thunberg has a strong message, and she has made millions listen, including people in high places. But like anything that is as daunting as climate change, it’s difficult to see how you and your actions fit into the broader scope of things.
While these small eco-sustainable living techniques WILL NOT COUNTER climate change on their own (see above), they make a small difference in quelling our own anxieties and making change within the 29% of emissions we are collectively responsible for.
Here are some steps you can take in your daily life.
But you’re just one itty bitty person, what can you do?
Turns out, you can do quite a lot.
Read the news, and talk about it. Integrate discussions on climate change into your daily life. It is easier than you think, and raising global conscience is essential to this fight for humankind.
Join a protest, write an op-ed, attend a lecture. There are weekly protests happening in cities globally called Fridays for Future. Join one!
Bring your own mug (always), keep reusable utensils (in your car), straw, etc. Lessen your carbon footprint and be more mindful in your day-to-day life. Don’t eat out as often, and if you do, bring your own container. Shop locally.
Recycle properly and be conscious of your waste - you will feel better, and you will become more mindful of the waste in your daily life and how to curb it.
Reduce your meat intake. You don't need to give up meat altogether, but check out the remarkable footprint the meat industry has on the planet.
Shop second hand. The clothing industry has a massive carbon footprint - it is both shocking and disturbing to learn the amount of clothing fast fashion introduces to landfills.
Take public transit and walk. Even if you own a car, choose not to drive it all the time. Plus walking makes you heart healthy. Win-win.
Let's take care of the planet together.
