LECLIC Guide

Section 4. Actions to mitigate climate change

You can learn about:

Actions to be done to mitigate climate change

Particular actions to be done in each country

Short-videos to learn more about actions to mitigate climate change

Students opinion about their learning actions to mitigate climate change

Bibliographical references

Actions to be done to mitigate climate change

Climate change is a complex and urgent issue that requires action at various levels, from individuals to governments and international organizations. Here are some actions that can help mitigate climate change:

Reduce your carbon footprint: this can be done by reducing energy consumption at home, using energy-efficient appliances, choosing low-carbon transportation options, eating a plant-based diet, and reducing waste.
Support renewable energy: encourage the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power by choosing to purchase renewable energy certificates or investing in community solar projects.
Advocate for climate policy: urge your elected representatives to act on climate change by supporting policies like carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and energy-efficient building codes.
Plant trees and protect forests: trees absorb carbon dioxide and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Support reforestation efforts and protect forests from deforestation.
Reduce food waste: food waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Reduce food waste by planning meals, buying only what you need, and composting food scraps.
Support sustainable agriculture: choose foods that are produced using sustainable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve soil health.
Use your voice: speak out about climate change and its impact on your community and the planet. Encourage others to act and engage in conversations about solutions.

Particular actions to be done in each country

The four countries should:

Increase Energy Efficiency - All four countries can benefit from policies that promote energy-efficient practices, such as upgrading buildings with insulation, promoting electric vehicles, and reducing waste.

Encourage Sustainable Transportation - All four countries can promote the use of public transport, cycling, and walking, and discourage the use of private cars.

Implement Circular Economy - All four countries can promote the reuse, repair, and recycling of products to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of production.

Education and Awareness - Education and awareness-raising campaigns can help people understand the importance of mitigating climate change and inspire them to act in their daily lives.

Other actions to be developed specially in one of the countries are

Greece

Reduce Carbon Emissions from Tourism - Tourism is a major source of carbon emissions in Greece. The government can encourage tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing waste and energy use, and promoting eco- friendly activities and transportation.

Promote energy efficiency: Greece has a high dependence on imported fossil fuels, making it vulnerable to price volatility and supply disruptions. Promoting energy efficiency measures, such as improving building insulation and using more efficient appliances, can help reduce energy consumption and increase energy security.

Support small-scale renewable energy: Greece has abundant sunlight and wind resources, which could be harnessed to increase renewable energy production.

Supporting small-scale renewable energy projects, such as community solar and wind power, can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create local jobs.

Address water scarcity: Greece is also prone to water scarcity, which is expected to worsen with climate change. Encouraging water conservation measures, such as installing low-flow fixtures and using drought-resistant crops, can help reduce water use and increase resilience to climate impacts.

Italy

Promote Sustainable Agriculture - Italy is one of the largest agricultural producers in Europe. The government can encourage farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices, such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the use of natural fertilizers, which can help to reduce carbon emissions and promote soil health.

Increase Energy Efficiency: Implement policies that promote energy-efficient practices, such as upgrading buildings with insulation, promoting electric vehicles, and reducing waste.

Encourage Sustainable Transportation: Promote the use of public transport, cycling, and walking, and discourage the use of private cars.

Reduce Deforestation: Forests are important carbon sinks, and deforestation releases carbon into the atmosphere. Governments can enact policies to protect forests and encourage reforestation efforts.

Implement Circular Economy: Promote the reuse, repair, and recycling of products to reduce waste and minimize the environmental impact of production.

Portugal

Promote Renewable Energy - Portugal has one of the highest rates of solar radiation in Europe, which makes it an ideal location for solar energy. The government can offer incentives to promote the development of solar and wind energy and encourage investment in research and development for renewable energy technologies. Portugal is already a leader in renewable energy, with wind and hydroelectric power accounting for a significant portion of the country's energy mix. To further promote this, the government could invest in solar power and increase the use of electric vehicles.

Encourage sustainable tourism: Portugal's tourism industry is a significant contributor to the economy, but it can also have negative environmental impacts.

Increase forest protection: Portugal has been heavily affected by forest fires in recent years, which release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Increasing forest protection measures, such as implementing controlled burns and reducing fuel loads, can help prevent these fires.

Spain

Promote Sustainable Forest Management - Spain has a large, forested area, which plays a crucial role in sequestering carbon. The government can promote sustainable forest management practices, such as selective logging, reforestation efforts, and the use of biomass for energy.

Support Climate-Friendly Agriculture: encourage farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices, such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the use of natural fertilizers, which can help to reduce carbon emissions and promote soil health.

Strengthen Climate Adaptation Strategies: while mitigation efforts are important, it is also crucial to prepare for the impacts of climate change that are already inevitable.

Governments can develop strategies to help communities adapt to changes such as increased temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and sea level rise.

Short-videos to learn more about actions to mitigate climate change

For 12 years old students

For 13 years old students

For 14 years old students

For 15 years old students

Students opinion about their learning actions to mitigate climate change

Catia from Agrupamento de Escuolas Rio Novo do Principe-Cacia, Portugal:

The LECLIC project helped me to promote actions to mitigate climate change by doing some activities on school and outside too, online quizzes, teachers and professionals explaining what it is, trips on museums, forests and people from others countries explaning too.

Floriana from Scuola secondaria di I Grado Ciro Sciana from Sicily:

Participation in the LECLIC project helped me promote actions to mitigate climate change. It helped me thanks to all the videos that talked about this topic that my teachers and others showed me. And again all the activities we did who were talking about this very topic and how to mitigate it.

Eirina from 14th Junior High School of Patras

The participation in the LECLIC project helped me to understand that all people can do something to mitigate climate change even with small actions during the day like recycling, using more often the public transport and take part to environmental actions like cleaning the local beach or park. Little actions that mean a lot to our planet.

Pablo Rafael from Colegio La Salle-Buen Consejo of Puerto Real

It has helped me to change things in my life that I used to do without knowing that they affected climate change without really knowing it at all, making my habits that I thought were not bad become bad, causing me to solve them.