Earth is the only planet we have for human life, so we must be wary of its health. The ‘health’ in question is in danger due to humankind constantly depleting Earth’s natural resources and the constant effect of human living. In the modern world, we humans rely on various technological advances, such as mobile phones and cars, the latter emitting gas pollution. Another source is negligence, which can be seen when people dump waste unsafely. There is much to address when we want to stop climate change, and recognizing the problems is the first step in order to stop it. Let’s look into the causes of climate change.
Vehicle Use
Today, the car is an essential tool in daily life, as is an airplane for travelling. But the problem here is the gas pollution and the overall effect it has on the ozone layer. It is a fact universally acknowledged that our carbon footprint is tied to how much greenhouse gas emissions we produce. Also, as airplanes fly high into the atmosphere, the close proximity of fuel emissions damage the ozone. Luckily, human advancement in technology has allowed for the creation of electric and solar-powered cars to exist and maybe one day replace all gas-powered cars. This is a great way to reduce gas pollution. Solar-powered vehicles are slowly rising to production in the world, but electric cars are now becoming quite common in Canada. However, banning all conventional vehicles is still a long way ahead. That is why we need to start promoting these vehicles as best as we can to the general public.
For the time being, electric powered planes seem to be ‘taking off’ for commercial use, allowing for less emissions in the sky. Technology has come a long way, and scientific advancements such as these are truly beneficial to sustaining Earth’s health.
Waste Management
A waste dump is necessary for hygiene and clean living in cities, but the effect it might have on the environment needs to be acknowledged as well. People feel as long as garbage is away from their neighborhood, it can be anywhere, but what about the forests and ground? The waste could be potentially harmful and leak into the forest, damaging the environment. Greenhouse emissions are also part of this factor. We all need to eat but we should still consider Earth’s health and resources as part of our duty. That is why precautions must be made to ensure that all dumps and areas of waste are contained and disposed of properly. Also, make sure food waste is taken care of carefully, as decomposing food emits methane in landfills. Find a compost plant or worm farm to take care of wasted food. Take into account what kinds of food you eat and consider more eco-friendly alternatives, such as vegetables.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Just like saving your leftover food and reducing your consumption, recycling daily objects and material is just as effective in stopping climate change. This common and catchy jingle of the three Rs is to teach everyone-from children to adults- on the importance of keeping track of what we call ‘garbage.’ There could still be use for your old pairs of sneakers or an old television set that doesn’t work. The former can be used for camping and dirty recreation work and the latter as a foot stool or a stand. This is where creativity comes into play, finding the different ways to use old materials as opposed to throwing them into the dump. Reduce your spending and consumption as well, buy the products you need in bulk. Also, be careful in what you feel you actually need, as opposed to just wanting it for a different reason. This notion ties well with your personal self-control and development, as you may decide you might not want something you usually buy; a person who really wants to stop climate change will stop buying his favorite cologne after finding out how the company’s waste is mismanaged. It is a sacrifice for the greater good. Lastly, recycling is a major step that we learn from a young age, and needs to be monitored with extreme care. Luckily, recycling plants are prominent, and many people promote recycling and explain its details to the public almost daily. This means that recycling will continue to exist and combat global warming.
It should be noted that thanks to modern technology, we have found solutions to greenhouse and methane emissions, and hopefully, with the help of science, the world can find ways to actually fix and rebuild the ozone and the unstable climate. But more importantly, it is up to you, as a single individual, to remember the main factors here on how to stop the climate crisis from getting worse.
Babak Eslami | Writer
