How You Can Help to Build a Healthy Planet

The world is becoming less liveable due to climate change and the loss of nature. Every one of us can make choices to protect nature, tackle climate change, and take care of our planet. Climate action is a task for all of us. No one can do it all alone – but we can do it together.

Small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference – think about your electricity use and your travel, check your dinner table, reuse whatever you can. The possibilities for action are many – and add up fast.

Here are some actions to reduce your impact on the environment.

1.  SAVE energy at home. Much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by reducing your heating and cooling use, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water, or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.

2.  WALK, cycle or take public transport. The world’s roadways are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or gasoline. Walking or cycling instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible.

3.  REDUCE, reuse, repair and recycle. Electronics, clothes, plastics and other items we buy cause carbon emissions at each point in production, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. To protect the climate, buy fewer things, shop second-hand, and repair what you can.

4.  EAT more vegetables. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land, and water.

5.  DON’T waste food. When you throw food away, you’re also wasting the resources and energy that were used to grow, produce, package, and transport it. And when food rots in a landfill, it produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. So purchase only what you need, use what you buy and compost any leftovers.

6.  PLANT native species. If you have a garden or even just a plant or two outside your home, check for native species. Plants, animals and insects depend on each other. Most insects will not eat non-native plants, which means birds and other species lose a food source. Biodiversity suffers. Even a single tree or shrub can offer a refuge – just remember to skip insecticides and other chemicals.

7.  CLEAN up your environment. Humans, animals and plants all suffer from land and water contaminated by improperly discarded garbage. Use what you need, and when you have to throw something out, dispose of it properly. Educate others to do the same, and participate in local clean-ups of parks, rivers, beaches and beyond. Every year, people throw out 2 billion tons of trash. About a third causes environment harms, from choking water supplies to poisoning soil.

8.  MAKE your money count. Everything we spend money on affects the planet. You have the power to choose which goods and services you support. To reduce your environmental impact, choose products from companies who use resources responsibly and are committed to cutting their gas emissions and waste.

– Info and image sourced from UN’s article, “Actions for a healthy planet”