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What is climate change?
What is climate change?
Human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels, have contributed to the changes in the Earth's long-term weather patterns. Most commonly referred to as global warming or climate change, these disruptions have many consequences. Besides an overall rise in the average temperature, climate change leads to more intense and frequent natural disasters, changes in precipitation patterns, and even changes in cloud cover. The impacts of these changes are far-reaching, affecting everything from human health to the food our farmers can grow! Effects of climate change can already be seen today. This is why it is so crucial that humanity works together to prevent the worst effects of climate change from occuring in the future.
What impact do you have? How can you make a difference?
What impact do you have? How can you make a difference?
Many people don't consider the impact that our modern lifestyle has on the planet. Aspects of our daily lives such as driving a car, heating & cooling our homes, eating meat, plastic use, etc. all contribute to the pollution of our planet. Consider how many people live on planet Earth- what if all 8 billion people lived the same way you do? Use the following tools to calculate your carbon footprint, and to see how many Earths we would need if everyone lived like you... it may be eye-opening!
Every choice we make affects the Earth, whether positively or negatively. Of course, there are plenty of ways to have a major impact on reducing our footprint- solar panels, electric vehicles, etc. But a series of small steps can have a large impact on our planet as well! We can take steps to protecting our planet by remembering to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Check out the drop-down bars below for a brief overview, or check out the EPA's website for detailed information.
The Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
The Three Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
REDUCE: The best way to lessen our impact on the planet is to consume less in the first place!
REDUCE: The best way to lessen our impact on the planet is to consume less in the first place!
Every new item we buy generates greenhouse gases during production, uses raw materials from the Earth, and must be transported to stores. Reducing how much you use is as simple as choosing not to buy that new shirt when you have plenty hanging in your closet. But you can also get creative with how you reduce your consumption. Can you make do with one paper towel instead of two? Can you make that package of meat last for two meals instead of one? Consider borrowing items that are infrequently used instead of buying them.
Reducing consumption doesn't just apply to physical items. Think of the resources required to supply your home with electricity, heat, and clean water! Simple actions like turning off lights when not in use, or turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth will help reduce the resources you use. Think of some other ways you can reduce your resource consumption. Can you shorten your showers by a few minutes? Can you hang-dry some of your clothes, or turn off the heat dry setting on your dishwasher? What about your thermostat- a few degrees warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter can make a big difference!
Keep an inventory of everything you buy and use in a week, then try to identify what was truly necessary and where you can reduce your consumption. The planet (and your wallet) will thank you!
REUSE: Aim to keep an item "in rotation" for as long as possible before recycling, donating, or throwing away.
REUSE: Aim to keep an item "in rotation" for as long as possible before recycling, donating, or throwing away.
Make it a goal to have as few "single use" items as possible! Try to switch to reusable versions of products that you use- washable silicone bags instead of Ziplocs, wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, cloth totes instead of plastic grocery bags... if you notice that you're constantly throwing something away, search for a reusable version of that item!
Give items in your home a new life by reusing and repurposing anything you can. Glass jars can be used to store food. Stained or ripped clothes can be turned into cleaning rags. Could you reupholster that chair you were thinking of replacing? Maybe that brown paper from a package you received could be reused as wrapping paper or for packaging something else. Get creative!
When you do need to purchase something, consider buying secondhand. Children's consignment sales are a great place to get like-new clothing, toys, and shoes. Maybe you have a friend or family member that you could swap clothes or books with instead of buying new. Before rushing to buy something new, do a quick search online- there are plenty of websites and social media groups where you can find almost anything secondhand.
Finally, make sure that you are donating clothing, shoes, electronics, household items, etc. that are in good condition so that someone else can reuse what you no longer need!
RECYCLE: Keep trash out of landfills while reducing the of raw materials needed to produce new items.
RECYCLE: Keep trash out of landfills while reducing the of raw materials needed to produce new items.
While reducing consumption and reusing items are the most effective ways to lessen your impact, eventually an item reaches the end of its life. Many items can be recycled, but it's important to understand how to recycle correctly. Check with your waste management company, but most curbside recycling programs accept:
Cardboard/paper
Aluminum cans
Glass jars/bottles
Plastic containers/bottles
Most curbside programs do NOT accept:
Plastic grocery bags: Check your local grocery store for a recycling drop-off
Plastic wraps/film: Check your local grocery store for a recycling drop-off
Styrofoam
Electronics
Textiles
However, these items can usually still be recycled. Check here for recycling resources in your area.
Make sure that anything placed in your recycling bin is empty and rinsed clean of food residue. Dirty or non-recyclable items can cause entire loads of recyclables to be rejected and sent to the landfill!
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