If you ever needed further proof that fossil fuel industries and world leaders/government representatives don't give a shit about tackling global warming (most notably those that are oil and gas investors); then look no further than the 'carbon bomb' projects they're establishing.
While there are many well publicized ways we can take individual climate action, like reducing single-use plastic; recycling; shopping with reusable tote bags, for example; there are a number of other things we can do to help the environment that may be slightly unexpected.
We've often seen buzzwords like 'carbon footprint', 'offsetting' and 'net zero' used by companies touting their eco-friendly efforts; but what, if anything, does this mean in terms of their climate action? I'll give you a hint; it's not always as beneficial as some would have us believe.
As individuals, we've been urged to do our bit to help combat climate change. By adjusting our everyday habits to use less plastic, reduce food waste and try out cleaner/greener energy, for example; we can become part of the solution. But are these actions enough?
Reducing household waste can seem like an inconvenience or something that requires specialized skills to do effectively. The truth is there are many ways to decrease the amount of refuse we accumulate and throw away that doesn’t require much prior planning or knowledge.
We should all be concerned about the environment and the impact we have that contributes to climate change. Undoubtedly, we must act now and continue to make adjustments in our everyday lives -- but there is an urgent need to motivate our community, corporate and political leaders to take action and defend the planet.
The effects of climate change are measurable and being felt today. It’s not a theoretical or distant cataclysm that can be put off being dealt with — we have to act now. And we have to start listening to the Indigenous communities who are on the front lines of protecting our natural world because they are among the first to feel its impact. We must help them safeguard what should be sacred to us all.
Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish climate activist, who has been embraced by the world's media as the face of youth environmental activism, is deserving of the attention and accolades she’s received, but there are many other youth activists who have not caught the media's attention for their outstanding work. And they deserve to be as well-known within this movement as she is.
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