by Christobel Munson
Today, no one can avoid the
overwhelming attention
being paid to the impact
of Climate Change on our
lives. The planet is warming,
due to changes brought
about in the centuries since
industrialisation, all of which
comes down to the increased
burning of fossil fuels.
Not a day goes by without reports
of devastating wild fires, cataclysmic
storms, record increasing temperatures,
melting ice, rising sea levels, to such an
extent it can become overwhelming.
From the universal ‘Student Strikes
for Climate’ and the ‘Extinction
Rebellion’ actions currently happening
internationally, to the staggering impact
of the words of 16-year old Swedish
student Greta Thunberg, bringing her
clear and simple message, ‘Take Action
on Climate Now’ to the global stage,
there’s no denying what’s happening
around us.
But what can we do about it in our own
everyday lives? First – find out the truth.
The BBC has taken advantage
of the global recognition of David
Attenborough, the man who brought
the natural world into our lives, and in
April 2019, released ‘Climate Change:
the Facts’, available now on YouTube.
“Science is now clear that urgent action
is needed. What we do now and in
coming years will profoundly affect
the next few thousand years,” David
Attenborough says in it, as he explains
what can be done to save our natural
world. This film is highly recommended
to help explain the broader picture to
family and friends in less than an hour.
The recent federal election promoted
more discussion than ever on what
political parties were offering – or not
offering - in the way of tangible climate
action. Although there is wide voter
desire for governments to act on climate
change, it’s hard for some political
parties to resist the lobbying, and
donations, from fossil fuel industries,
who’d rather that governments do
nothing to reduce the impact, for
instance, of developing new coal mines.
These can now be affordably replaced
by renewable energy sources, like solar,
wind and hydro-electric power.
While there’s no guarantee that any
pre-election political promises will ever
be kept, each of us can do something in
our daily lives to help.
For some, it’s becoming less
wasteful. While it’s tempting to buy
new, cheaper products from washing
machines to mobile phones, take the
time to source well-made products that
last longer, rather than cheaper ones
with inbuilt obsolescence. They simply
create bigger problems once tossed into
the garbage.
Re-use, Recycle, Repair before
buying new. Don’t forget re-usable bags
instead of single use plastic, and avoid
plastic wrapping as much as possible.
Check out local initiatives such as Toy
Libraries to save buying short-lived but
popular toys.
Shop carefully and eat all the food
you buy. If you don’t already, avoid
putting food in garbage - compost
leftovers instead. Start a wormfarm. The
kids will love it! Also, eat pesticide-free
and organic wherever possible. Avoid
GMO foods and read labels carefully.
Reducing the consumption of meat
is widely applauded, as the merit of
modern intensive farming techniques
is questioned. That doesn’t necessarily
have to mean doing totally without
meat or becoming vegan overnight.
But it’s worth considering buying meat
produced using sustainable regenerative
farming techniques. Ask about it at your
local farmers markets.
Make your home as energy efficient
as possible. Seal the cracks from drafts.
Improve the insulation. Put up curtains
to keep the warmth in in winter, and
give you sun protection in summer.
64 Complete Health