Eat Ethically
Adopt a low carbon diet, it's fairly easy and it can have a great impact. You can cut down on consuming meat and dairy with very little pain to yourself. You can choose foods that have less miles to travel to your plate. You can avoid packaged and processed foods and you can choose seasonal and sustainable options.
Some facts:
"livestock production worldwide is responsible for a whopping 18 percent of the world’s total greenhouse gases" Audubon
"The food system is responsible for a third of global greenhouse gas emissions" EatLowCarbon.org
"dietary GHG emissions in self-selected meat-eaters are approximately twice as high as those in vegans" 2014 UK Study
You can start by looking at the helpful guide & calculator at EatLowCarbon.org or you can calculate your whole carbon footprint at the Nature Conservancy.
Tread Lightly
Choose your transportation wisely. Bike or walk instead of drive, when you can. Choose public transport, and insist that your public transport is clean green and smart. If you don't have adequate public transport then call, write and urge your government to provide it. Publish articles, create social media campaigns and build awareness and push for change.
More bike lanes, green public transport and fuel alternatives are all things you can and should demand. Be polite, forceful and consistent.
Photo by Vincent Tantardini
Switch Off
Cut your energy consumption every way you can. Switch off, unplug and choose low energy appliances. Switch to renewable energy options if you have them. If you don't have renewable energy options then use your voice to push for options in the private and public sector.
Vote with your Wallet
Shop ethically, reduce your consumption and avoid brands that do not meet environmental & human rights standards.
Look out for labels like Fair Trade, Project JUST Seal, Organic and Ethical.
Get Political
The little everyday things we do alone are important but even more vital are the things we do as groups, as citizens and as members of our society.
Contact your representatives in every way possible, connect with them, make your voice heard. Be civil, clear and persistent.
Vote for representatives who have a clear honest environmental and human rights platform. Make sure your representative knows those values matter to you and that they must meet those standards.
Run for office! Get to know the local, regional and government positions open to you and then represent your area, your values and fight to make things better.