Our actions and climate consequences.

With the recent news that Waitrose is the first supermarket to offer a pick and mix refill section to reduce packaging and plastic waste, I wanted to write about how I feel publicity and further education to the non-scientific community are really making a difference in raising awareness.

The Attenborough effect has made a dramatic difference to both the scientific community and the global community, I really think TV programmes like Blue Planet have massively raised awareness to climate change. As an oceanographer, I am so lucky to have learnt about these topics first hand and have started to notice more people sparking up a conversation with me about climate change, or the oceans, biology and even plastics, instead of me raising the issue to them and giving information and facts. I think it’s a great opportunity to change the global community’s perception on our human effects on our planet.

Our current actions are not enough to meet our target of 1.5°C warming. Therefore, we need to do more to help out planet as there is NO planet B… There have been so many programmes recently catching our attention on Planet Earth, including the oceans and climate change, and more stories are appearing in the News daily. This presence on the screens is showing us the impacts of our everyday actions.

There are a few things everyone can do to make a difference. These are easy, small changes to one’s day to day life, which can be introduced straight away. Like the people’s climate movement states, “to change everything, we need everyone”.

Firstly, I try to take a reusable coffee cup everywhere and use a thermos water bottle. This reduces plastic usage, and although it costs more to buy one primarily, it balances out with the added cost of continuously buying one-use plastic bottles and you’re helping save the planet! Furthermore, it helps to take reusable bags for food shops as this helps avoid buying one-use plastic bags at each shop.

I recently discovered a zero-waste shop in Southampton which is really cool! These shops are beginning to open up in major cities are a great way to help reduce plastic packaging. Buying dry foods in bulk is so much more cost effective and reduces the amount of individually wrapped food you’re buying. I have lots of glass jars which I fill up with pasta, lentils and other dry foods and I really find this motivates me to buy more sustainably sourced products.

I personally look for brands which are making effort to do something about climate change, trying to reduce their carbon footprint. By seeking out products which bear badges like Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Better Cotton etc. you help support these organisations which are working hard to protect our planet’s resources.

Cutting back on meat helps to cut pollution impacts as the production of livestock is one of the single biggest contributors to greenhouse gases which are increasing global temperatures and amplifying global warming. This is mainly because trees are being cut down to provide more space for cattle farming. Therefore, even becoming a flexitarian reduces your carbon footprint. Going car free more often is cost effective and reduces pollutants. Other means of transportation like walking, biking or using public transport are available for us to use, but even car sharing helps make a difference.

Finally, focusing on life’s simple pleasures, spending time in nature provides more purpose in life and happiness than consuming and purchasing goods, which means you’re enjoying life more but consuming and wasting less. According to the Story of Stuff, we use too much and don’t share enough, so through sharing, making, fixing, upcycling and composting we can make a difference and reduce waste.

I hope this article has helped you take note of some small steps we can all take to helping reduce human impact on our planet, as we need to make a decision, to change our habits for the future.