What can we DO?
Fixing the Climate change issue is a complex venture. We need to figure out who is responsible before we can start taking action. Is it fair to ask developing countries not to use the same easy energy sources that we did to become developed, without giving them access to clean technologies and support their transition?
Whenever we hear about helping the environment, we always hear about recycling and reducing plastic consumption. However, in order to really help the environment, we need to take further steps -- little changes can have a big impact. We can be the change we want to see.
For instance, let's look at food consumption.
Do you know how much emissions are released to get your food on the table?
Let's calculate it!
For instance, let's look at food consumption.
Do you know how much emissions are released to get your food on the table?
Let's calculate it!
Example: greenhouse gas calculation for a truck moving 1000 miles with 2000 lbs of weight
That is the average for a truck moving food across the country... and if you consider that the average adult eats 2000 lbs of food a year, then you see that eating food that is not local means actively releasing 3.24 metric tons of CO2 per person!
To put this into perspective, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide ... for a whole YEAR!!!
HOMEWORK FOR MARKS:
Look inside your pantry and pick three products that come in boxes or cans. Check out where your food comes from, then use the calculations above to figure out how much emissions were released just to bring those boxes to you.
- Step 1: Determine the total amount of ton-miles (D X W). Multiply 1,000 miles times 20 tons, which gives us a total of 20,000 ton-miles.
- Step 2: Get the weight-based truck emissions factor (EF) for a freight truck. The average freight truck in the U.S. emits 161.8 grams of CO2 per ton-mile.
- Step 3: Multiply this emissions factor with the total ton-miles {161.8 X 20,000), which gives us a total of 3,236,000 grams of CO2.
- Step 4: Convert the total grams into metric tons. Metric tons are the standard measurement unit for corporate emissions of greenhouse gases.
- There are 1,000,000 grams in a metric ton. To convert our answer from step three we divide it by 1,000,000. This gives us 3.24 metric tons of CO2 for this one move.
That is the average for a truck moving food across the country... and if you consider that the average adult eats 2000 lbs of food a year, then you see that eating food that is not local means actively releasing 3.24 metric tons of CO2 per person!
To put this into perspective, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide ... for a whole YEAR!!!
HOMEWORK FOR MARKS:
Look inside your pantry and pick three products that come in boxes or cans. Check out where your food comes from, then use the calculations above to figure out how much emissions were released just to bring those boxes to you.
When people talk about the benefits of eating local, they are not just advocating for fresher ingredients; they are actually trying to save the planet as well.
What else can we do besides eating local foods instead of foods from outside of BC?
What else can we do besides eating local foods instead of foods from outside of BC?
This video had wonderful ideas on how to diminish the damage to our planet and stop climate change from advancing. How can we revert the damage already done, however? Turns out the best way is planting a tree.
It doesn't have to be on your backyard, either -- there is only so much space around the house to add trees. But did you know that there are companies buying land and planting trees around the globe? It doesn't matter where your tree is planted -- the benefit spreads to the whole Earth.
Of course there are negatives; once the tree dies, the carbon will get released into the atmosphere. A little seedling will also take years to grow into a full tree. But considering how long trees can live for (hundreds of years, if healthy) this is a long-term plan that can not only make our air cleaner, but also provide homes for thousands of animals.
What do you think of starting a fundraiser with One Tree Planted?
This company has several projects on the go, including one that is actively planting the trees taken by the fires in recent years.
Of course there are negatives; once the tree dies, the carbon will get released into the atmosphere. A little seedling will also take years to grow into a full tree. But considering how long trees can live for (hundreds of years, if healthy) this is a long-term plan that can not only make our air cleaner, but also provide homes for thousands of animals.
What do you think of starting a fundraiser with One Tree Planted?
This company has several projects on the go, including one that is actively planting the trees taken by the fires in recent years.
What else can be done? Well, you have learned that cow burps and farts are one of the leading causes for the release of GHGs in the atmosphere. Methane can reflect the heat back to the Earth much more efficiently that CO2, which is bad news for us!
One single cow emits the equivalent amount of methane to equal a car's release of CO2 every year.
Cattle farms are also one of the biggest reasons why rainforest and other natural land has been taken and clear-cut, making the damage twofold -- not only methane rises, but we lose our favourite carbon sinks -- our trees.
One single cow emits the equivalent amount of methane to equal a car's release of CO2 every year.
Cattle farms are also one of the biggest reasons why rainforest and other natural land has been taken and clear-cut, making the damage twofold -- not only methane rises, but we lose our favourite carbon sinks -- our trees.
Over a hundred years ago, Albert Einstein already stated that "Nothing will benefit health or increase chances of survival on earth as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
But we don't have to be radicals about it!
If we only reduce our consumption of meat and switch to mostly chicken and fish, we will already be doing our part to reduce methane in the air. Even cutting red meat and cheese once a week makes an impact!
Remember that demand controls supply, and if more and more people change what they are demanding, then the supply will also change -- and we won't have the need for the continuous growth of cattle farms.
Using public transit and driving a bike are also much better options than driving a car every day. Or, if you live close-by, you can always go for a walk!
So, besides recycling and writing the government, there's TONS to do.
Check out the graphic below for more awesome ideas.
We are not powerless!!!
So, besides recycling and writing the government, there's TONS to do.
Check out the graphic below for more awesome ideas.
We are not powerless!!!
