Although it may seem daunting, there are easy steps you can take to help prevent climate change. Here Sky News looks at six of them. The average carnivore diet produces 7. But by lowering methane levels we can not only stop the planet getting hotter, we can actively lower global temperatures, he added.
If you are not able to cut out meat completely, chicken production produces around a third of the CO2 per kilogram of protein than beef and lamb.
So swapping red meat for poultry or cutting out dairy products will still make a difference. The coronavirus pandemic proved just how much vehicle pollution adds to our carbon footprint. During various lockdowns in , UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by 8.
Transport accounts for around a third of total emissions in Britain and toxic fumes from cars, vans and lorries cause thousands of premature deaths every year. So opting for public transport or car-sharing to get around will help lower your carbon footprint considerably.
The government is banning any new petrol and diesel cars from , but before then, if you're able to travel by electric bus or tram - or have your own electric car - this is the best option for the planet. Overall greenhouse gases also fell as a result of air travel being ground to a halt during the pandemic.
But while reducing unnecessary air travel will make a difference, climate campaign group Possible claims that a small minority of frequent flyers are the ones causing the real damage. As a result, they want a frequent flyer levy introduced to deter people who can afford to fly more often from doing so.
Professor Collins explains that while you can electrify cars, you can't do the same with planes. So the only way to reduce emissions from air travel is to fly less often.
From Greta Thunberg to Extinction Rebellion, climate change activists have used social media to make their campaigns go global. But you don't need to be part of a group to advocate for climate change. In terms of what to share on your social media channels, Professor Collins told Sky News: "It's helpful to point out the consequences of climate change.
Previous research suggests that even if countries do meet their pledges to reduce emissions, those commitments won't be enough to stave off severe warming. Addressing climate change will require many solutions —there's no magic bullet. Yet nearly all of these solutions exist today, and many of them hinge on humans changing the way we behave, shifting the way we make and consume energy.
The required changes span technologies, behaviors, and policies that encourage less waste and smarter use of our resources. For example, improvements to energy efficiency and vehicle fuel economy, increases in wind and solar power, biofuels from organic waste, setting a price on carbon, and protecting forests are all potent ways to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases trapping heat on the planet.
Scientists are also working on ways to sustainably produce hydrogen, most of which is currently derived from natural gas, to feed zero-emission fuel cells for transportation and electricity. Other efforts are aimed at building better batteries to store renewable energy; engineering a smarter electric grid; and capturing carbon dioxide from power plants and other sources with the goal of storing it underground or turning it into valuable products such as gasoline.
Some people argue that nuclear power—despite concerns over safety, water use, and toxic waste—should also be part of the solution, because nuclear plants don't contribute any direct air pollution while operating.
While halting new greenhouse gas emissions is critical, scientists have also emphasized that we need to extract existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. An iceberg melts in the waters off Antarctica. Climate change has accelerated the rate of ice loss across the continent.
But planting trees, restoring seagrasses, and boosting the use of agricultural cover crops could help clean up significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
Restoring forests already chopped down in Brazil, for example, could draw about 1. Those are relatively modest numbers given historic carbon emissions of 2. Communities around the world are already recognizing that adaptation must also be part of the response to climate change. From flood-prone coastal towns to regions facing increased droughts and fires, a new wave of initiatives focuses on boosting resilience.
Those include managing or preventing land erosion, building microgrids and other energy systems built to withstand disruptions, and designing buildings with rising sea levels in mind. Recent books such as Drawdown and Designing Climate Solutions have proposed bold and comprehensive yet simple plans for reversing our current course. The ideas vary, but the message is consistent: We already have many of the tools needed to address climate change.
Some of the concepts are broad ones that governments and businesses must implement, but many other ideas involve changes that anyone can make— eating less meat , for example, or rethinking your modes of transport. All rights reserved. Find out who your MP is , and the best way to contact them. This briefing paper and animation highlight the co-benefits of climate action , and why it is particularly relevant for decision-makers in cities and devolved regions.
Share it with your local MP. Join a social movement or campaign that focuses on environmental activities or gets everyone talking about climate change action, such as the Youth Strike 4 Climate or Extinction Rebellion. There are many benefits to taking action on climate change, such as improved health, growth in the low-carbon jobs market, and reduced inequality.
Avoiding meat and dairy products is one of the biggest ways to reduce your environmental impact on the planet. Studies suggest that a high-fibre, plant-based diet is also better for your health - so it can be a win-win. Eat fewer or smaller portions of meat , especially red meat, which has the largest environmental impact, and reduce dairy products or switch them for non-dairy alternatives.
Try to choose fresh, seasonal produce that is grown locally to help reduce the carbon emissions from transportation, preservation and prolonged refrigeration. Check out our blog on going vegan for top tips on making it a success.
And have you thought about eating insects? They are a healthy and environmentally friendly food source, so why don't we eat them? Researchers at Imperial have been investigating how people in the Western world can be convinced to eat them. For more details on how eating a more plant-based, seasonal diet can help tackle climate change, support the local economy and help us to live healthier lives, check out our blog: Saving the planet, one meal at a time.
If you need to fly for work, consider using video-conferencing instead. For trips in the same country or continent, take the train or explore options using an electric car. For leisure trips, choose nearby destinations, and fly economy — on average, a passenger in business class has a carbon footprint three times higher than someone in economy. Read more about why flying shouldn't necessarily be the default option for international travel , and how businesses can lead the way in reducing the demand for air travel.
How do the cost, time and carbon emissions of a single journey from London to Amsterdam by plane, compare to travelling by train? Assumptions: the start and end location are the main train terminal in the centre of each city; travel costs are for the cheapest advance tickets bought in advance and include all connecting journeys; carbon emissions are calculated using UK government greenhouse gas emissions factors for short-haul flights, ferry and international rail travel.
There are a variety of reputable carbon offsetting schemes that fund sustainable development projects or natural solutions like planting trees. Myclimate also compares the carbon emissions of your particular flight, with the maximum amount of carbon dioxide a person should produce per year in order to halt climate change, and the average amount an EU citizen produces each year. It makes for sobering reading.
Instead of getting in the car, walk or cycle — and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits , and the money saved. For longer journeys, use public transport, or try car sharing schemes. Not only do cars contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, but air pollution caused by exhaust fumes from traffic poses a serious threat to public health.
It has been shown to affect the health of unborn babies and increase the risk of dementia. Furthermore, Imperial research shows that poor air quality in the capital leads to around 1, London hospital admissions for asthma and serious lung conditions every year, and that air pollution in the United States is associated with 30, deaths and reduced life expectancy.
Investigate trading in your diesel or petrol car for an electric or hybrid model. Alternatively, if you only need one for a short time, there are some all-electric car hire companies. Small changes to your behaviour at home will help you use less energy, cutting your carbon footprint and your energy bills:. Make simple changes to how you use hot water , like buying a water-efficient shower head. Make sure your home is energy efficient. Check the building has proper insulation, and consider draught-proofing windows and doors.
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