Consider walking, cycling or taking public transportation
Transportation is one of the largest sources of individual greenhouse gas emissions, with a significant portion coming from driving. Therefore, for short trips, experts recommend walking or cycling. These options can not only reduce emissions, but also decrease pollution, alleviate traffic congestion and improve health. For long-distance travel, you can choose public transportation or carpooling. Not driving a private car can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 2 tons each year.
Pay attention to your energy consumption
Since electricity still mainly comes from the combustion of fossil fuels at present, saving electricity is one of the fastest and most economical ways to reduce emissions. The additional benefit is that it can also lower your water and electricity bills.
Our electronic devices also consume a lot of electricity. Therefore, experts suggest limiting the use of unnecessary data as much as possible and choosing energy-efficient technological products. In addition, the production processes of products such as mobile phones and computers are also energy-intensive processes. Therefore, it is advisable to consider extending the service life of the equipment and repairing it first when it breaks down instead of discarding it casually
Improve residential energy efficiency
Heating stoves, air conditioners and other heating and cooling systems are major energy consumers. Therefore, it might be a good idea to slightly adjust the thermostat up or down to reduce their usage time. If high temperatures are a problem, one can invest in "passive cooling". Measures such as reflective roofs, cross-ventilation and natural shading can lower the indoor temperature by up to 8°C.
To have a greater impact on emission reduction, one can improve the insulation of residential buildings or switch to heat pumps - an ultra-efficient indoor heating and cooling system. These upgrade measures can reduce your carbon footprint by approximately 900 kilograms each year while lowering your energy costs.
Adjust the diet structure
Food choices are of vital importance in actions against climate change. Animal-based foods, especially red meat, dairy products and farmed shrimp, have the highest greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts and lentils, are usually more climate-friendly (they also take up less land and water resources). Therefore, it might be a good idea to try more plant-based diets and obtain energy and nutrients from different food categories.
Don't waste food.
More than one billion meals are wasted by households around the world every day. Discarding food means wasting the energy, land and fertilizers invested in the production process in vain.
If it is really necessary to deal with food, you may consider composting leftovers. This can significantly reduce the methane and carbon dioxide released by organic waste - both of which are common greenhouse gases.
Protect the forests around you
Forests are of vital importance in the fight against climate change. They store a large amount of carbon that causes global warming. Once released into the atmosphere, it may exacerbate the climate crisis. You can protect these key ecosystems by choosing sustainable wood and paper products and supporting forest restoration efforts.
Buy less and use it for a longer time
Everything we purchase comes with a carbon cost label. For instance, extracting raw materials, manufacturing products and transporting them all over the world all consume energy - and this energy often comes from fossil fuels. One of the most effective ways to reduce emissions is to cut down on consumption. Repair what can be repaired, continue to use what can be reused, and recycle as much as possible.
Make your voice heard and use your wallet well
By actively speaking out, supporting climate-friendly policies, and making conscious choices as consumers, voters, and community members, individuals can drive broader change. Consumers' influence is also reflected in the products they purchase, the enterprises they support, the leaders they vote for, and even the banks they choose - because the projects funded by financial institutions will shape our future.
World Environment Day is held on June 5th every year and is one of the world's largest environmental awareness platforms, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This year's event is hosted by Azerbaijan and will focus on the rapidly spreading climate crisis.
