10 actions to limit climate change
Jesus Kiteque
The Case for Climate Action
Everyone can help limit climate change. From the way we travel, to the
electricity we use, the food we eat, and the things we buy, we can make a
difference. Greenhouse gas emissions per person vary greatly among countries.
In the United States of America, emissions in 2020 (the latest available data)
were 14.6 tons of CO2 equivalent per person – more than double the global
average of 6.3 tons, and six times the 2.4 tons per person in India.
10 actions to limit climate change
To preserve a livable climate, the average emissions per person per year will
need to drop to around 2 to 2.5 tons of CO2e by 2030.
Start with these ten actions to help tackle the climate crisis:
2
Save energy at home
Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and
gas. Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling,
switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric
appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging
things to dry instead of using a dryer. Improving your home’s
energy efficiency, through better insulation for instance, or
10 actions to limit climate change
replacing your oil or gas furnace with an electric heat pump
can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 900 kilograms of
CO2e per year.
3
Walk, bike, or take public transport
The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them
burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or riding a bike instead of
driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions -- and help your
health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train
or bus. And carpool whenever possible. Living car-free can
reduce your carbon footprint by up to 2 tons of CO2e per year
10 actions to limit climate change
compared to a lifestyle using a car.
4
Eat more vegetables
Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts,
and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower
your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods
generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and
requires less energy, land, and water. Switching from a mixed
to a vegetarian diet can reduce your carbon footprint by up to
10 actions to limit climate change
500 kilograms of CO2e per year (or up to 900 kilograms for a
vegan diet).
5
Consider your travel
Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels, producing
significant greenhouse gas emissions. That makes taking
fewer flights one of the fastest ways to reduce your
environmental impact. When you can, meet virtually, take a
train, or skip that long-distance trip altogether. Taking one less
long-haul return flight can reduce your carbon footprint by up
10 actions to limit climate change
to almost 2 tons of CO2e.
6
Throw away less food
When you throw food away, you're also wasting the resources
and energy that were used to grow, produce, package, and
transport it. And when food rots in a landfill, it produces
methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So use what you buy
and compost any leftovers. Cutting your food waste can
reduce your carbon footprint by up to 300 kilograms of CO2e
10 actions to limit climate change
per year.
7
Switch to an electric vehicle
If you plan to buy a car, consider going electric, with more and
cheaper models coming on the market. In many countries,
electric cars help reduce air pollution and cause significantly
fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gas or diesel-powered
vehicles. But many electric cars still run on electricity
produced from fossil fuels, and the batteries and engines
10 actions to limit climate change
require rare minerals which often come with high
environmental and social costs. Switching from a gasoline or
diesel-powered car to an electric vehicle can reduce your
carbon footprint by up to 2 tons of CO2e per year. A hybrid
vehicle can save you up to 700 kilograms of CO2e per year.
8
Reduce, reuse, repair & recycle
Electronics, clothes, and other items we buy cause carbon
emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of
raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to
market. To protect our climate, buy fewer things, shop second-
hand, repair what you can, and recycle. Every kilogram of
textiles produced generates about 17 kilograms of CO2e.
10 actions to limit climate change
Buying fewer new clothes – and other consumer goods – can
reduce your carbon footprint and also cut down on waste.
9
Change your home's source of energy
Ask your utility company if your home energy comes from oil,
coal, or gas. If possible, see if you can switch to renewable
sources such as wind or solar. Or install solar panels on your
roof to generate energy for your home. Switching your home
from oil, gas, or coal-powered energy to renewable sources of
energy, such as wind or solar, can reduce your carbon
10 actions to limit climate change
footprint by up to 1.5 tons of CO2e per year.
10
Make your money count
Everything we spend money on affects the planet. You have
the power to choose which goods and services you support.
To reduce your environmental impact, choose products from
companies who use resources responsibly and are committed
to cutting their gas emissions and waste. If you have money
that is being invested for you, through a pension fund for
10 actions to limit climate change
instance, it may be supporting fossil fuels or deforestation.
Making sure your savings are invested in environmentally
sustainable businesses can greatly reduce your carbon
footprint.
11
Speak up
Speak up and get others to join in taking action. It's one of the
quickest and most effective ways to make a difference. Talk to
your neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family. Let business
owners know you support bold changes. Appeal to local and
world leaders to act now. Climate action is a task for all of us.
And it concerns all of us. No one can do it all alone – but we
10 actions to limit climate change
can do it together. Explore ideas here.
12
Note
The term ”carbon footprint” used hereabove refers to the amount of
greenhouse gas emissions associated with a person’s activities.
Emissions are measured in carbon dioxide equivalents, CO2e, which takes into
account not only carbon dioxide but also other greenhouse gases, such as
methane and nitrous oxide, by converting them to carbon dioxide equivalents
with the same global warming potential.
10 actions to limit climate change
For more detailed information on low-carbon lifestyles, see the UN
Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2020.
For more on how to reduce carbon-intensive consumption and scale up low-
carbon alternatives, see this UNEP policy brief.
13
Thank you!
Source: United Nations campaign Act Now, Speak Up!
