By: María Luisa Arredondo
By: María Luisa Arredondo
The recent report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is devastating. In short, it tells us that the world has warmed faster than expected and that we are now heading for a crisis of no return as a result of human inaction to reduce greenhouse gases.
The signs of disaster are everywhere: various regions of the planet are facing a historic drought; other places suffer from gigantic forest fires, glaciers are melting and many populations along the coasts are destined to disappear due to the increasing floods. The red lights are on: we must immediately reduce our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels.
Despite this, many governments refuse to act and continue to bet on oil and coal. We cannot allow them to do so. Through political action, complaints in the media and educational campaigns, we must call on people to vote for those politicians who defend the environment, not for those who lead us to destruction.
We must also become aware that the responsibility does not only lie with governments. Each of us has to do our bit to make a difference. Our daily habits can make a significant contribution to making the situation better or worse. Some of the actions that scientists recommend to help save our planet are the following:
Consume less meat, especially beef cattle. It is scientifically proven that cows produce large amounts of methane, which is a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. In addition, to feed this type of livestock, large areas of forests that are vital for the production of oxygen have to be deforested.
Use the car less. Whenever possible, let’s try to go to nearby places on foot, by bicycle or by public transport. Cars are largely responsible for air pollution due to the enormous amount of carbon dioxide they emit.
Recycle and use less plastic items. When we go shopping, keep in mind that it is preferable to buy products packed in glass or packaged. If we have plastic items, we have to recycle them. This material has become a nightmare for the planet, especially for life in the oceans because they are ingested by the animals that inhabit it and then end up on our table. The harmful effects of plastic on our health range from carcinogenic conditions to vascular and nervous system problems.
Take care of water. We all know that water is vital for our subsistence and that it is becoming increasingly scarce.Among the measures we can take to conserve it are the following: shower instead of taking bathtubs, do not leave the tap open when washing our hands or teeth and be careful with leaks in the bathroom and in the kitchen.
The list of actions we can take is long and includes planting trees, substituting chemical cleaning products for natural ones like vinegar and lemon and reduce food waste. Let’s do it!
María Luisa Arredondo is a Mexican journalist based in Los Angeles