Climate Change: What can You do?

By Sarah Warnecke

Climate Crisis

Climate Change is such a major problem that it is being referred to as “the Climate Crisis”. This issue needs much more attention and action than it is receiving. Understanding Climate Change and realizing the drastic changes that need to be made globally can be overwhelming. However, there are some simple things every person or family can do to help.

Energy/Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum, and natural gas) are non renewable energy sources that have formed over hundreds of millions of years from ancient, fossilized organisms being exposed to extreme temperature, pressure, and decomposition time. The use of fossil fuels is a major contributor to Climate Change. 85% of the US energy supply comes from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels power our cars, busses, trains, and they heat our houses in winter. Some simple things can be done to conserve energy, such as carpooling, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Walk to places you can and bike to others, this is also a great way to get exercise so it’s a win-win! On cold fall days, try to layer up and use more blankets at night instead of cranking the heat. Or in winter, turn your heat down during the night and layer up. On hot days, try to bear the heat and reduce your use of Air Conditioners.

Fossil fuels do not just heat and cool our houses but also light up the majority of our houses. Always turn off lights when you leave a room and try to keep lights off during the day if you can. Switching all your lightbulbs to more environmentally friendly ones such as LEDs rather than the traditional incandescents. If you live in an area where solar power is possible and agrees with your budget, install solar panels. Although this is not a viable option for everybody, it is a great way to reduce your home’s use of harmful energy sources.

Appliances such as washers, dryers, and dishwashers use a lot of energy. To reduce appliance usage, taking time to do the dishes instead of running them through the dishwasher or hanging your clothes out to dry on a good old-fashioned clothesline or hand washing some clothes will help.

Buying organic foods from local farmers and farmer’s markets will reduce the transportation needed to get your food to a supermarket. This is especially important during the offseason of certain crops. Eating what's in season reduces fossil fuel use, as you are not supporting shipping foods from far away. Not only does buying in season foods locally reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it also supports local farmers and gives you more fresh and nutritious food!

Water Conservation/Agriculture

Water conservation reduces the energy it takes to process and transport it. Taking short showers and turning the faucet off when not being used is important. Dishwashers and washing machines also use a lot of water, so always make sure to have a full load of clothes or dishes.

Appliances and home water usage are not the only contributors, another major factor is agriculture. For example, it takes between 2,000-2,500 gallons of water just to produce one pound of beef. Whereas it only takes approximately 17 gallons of water for an eight minute shower. Animal agriculture does not just affect water consumption but also greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing the amount of meat you and your family eats is good for the environment.

Waste

Hazardous waste is extremely harmful to animals, humans, and vegetation. When hazardous wastes are not disposed of properly, they can be fatal to the environment and contaminate groundwater. This makes it super important to dispose of hazardous waste correctly. Hazardous waste can be disposed of at the Springfield Transfer Station, for more information on how to dispose of waste visit: Springfield Recycling/Transfer Station , or, Transfer_Station__Recycling_Center_information_-_2020.docx (located at the bottom of the Springfield Recycling,Transfer Station link).

Recycling is important, but the transportation and processing required produces carbon outputs, so an even better thing to do is reduce. Always try to reuse what you can or donate your old clothes, shoes, or electronics. To eliminate what you throw away and recycle, invest in reusable bags, beeswax wrap, and other reusable products. Old glass jars are a great thing to reuse after a good cleaning. You could make flower vases, drinking glasses, pencil holders, or all sorts of other crafts.

Waste does not just come in the form of products, but also food. Composting is effectively recycling your food. When food is thrown in the trash, it goes into a landfill where it cannot break down properly. When you compost, the food breaks down into nutrient rich soil to be used again. It’s great for gardening!

The Bigger Picture

These are all important things to be doing, however, they are not enough on their own. More drastic changes are essential to combat Climate Change. There are bigger things you can do such as switch out appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, washers, and dryers to more environmentally friendly and energy conscious ones. Other things such as switching to solar panels and buying new showerheads and faucets to ones that use less water.

What You Can Do!

❏ Carpool

❏ Walk or bike places

❏ Layer up (reduce heat use)

❏ Turn off lights

❏ Switch to LED light bulbs

❏ Air dry clothes

❏ Buy locally

❏ Eat ‘in season’ foods

❏ Take short showers

❏ Always have full loads for dishwashers and washing machines

❏ Turn off the faucet when doing dishes, brushing teeth, etc.

❏ Reduce meat consumption

❏ Dispose hazardous waste properly

❏ Reduce and reuse

❏ Compost

Sources:

https://www.thegreenage.co.uk/%EF%BB%BFlightingchoices-how-to-choose-the-best-eco-friendly-light-bu lbs/

http://www.bionomicfuel.com/why-are-fossil-fuels-bad-for-the-environment/

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-do-we-use-wat er-and-why-conserve-3157863

https://whatsyourimpact.org/fight-climate-change/buy-local

https://www.nemoequipment.com/11-things-you-can-actually-do-to-slow-climate-change/

https://www.reference.com/science/hazardous-waste -affect-environment-3ad9aa571ce15d8

https://naplescompost.com/why-is-composting-import ant/