Our planet, the Earth is now severely wounded physically, a substantial number of its inhabitants have been distracted morally and they have also become ignorant about the meaning and purpose of life. This injury happened gradually over the years, especially during the 20th century and its pace has got momentum in the 21st century. Moral degradation and environmental pollution are highly correlated. Several factors are there that have made our planet severely wounded. But from the moral and abstract point of view, this is obvious that the leadership of our world is gradually going into the hand of culprits, corrupts and terrorists or backed by culprits who are the masterminds behind this critical condition of our planet.
Hyperactive consumerism, authoritarianism, endless greed for wealth, maximization of capital, maximization of profit, and the hegemonic attitude of many countries or leaders to other countries and groups directly or indirectly leading our green planet toward an ultimate disaster. As a result, our atmosphere has become imbalanced with excessive carbon emissions, our rivers and wetlands have become severely polluted by contaminated industrial wastes, and our oceans have become plastic garbage. Consequently, biodiversity and the ecosystem have been severely damaged. Deforestation and reckless urbanization are also creating a huge imbalance in the soil, water and atmosphere. There have been various environmental summits that took place at different times and in different places in the world. At every summit, the world leaders usually would make false commitments but implemented only a fewer portion of their commitments.
Fossil fuels were being created and stored for millions of years. But the discovery, lifting and use of fossil fuel started only a century ago and is about to be exhausted within the next couple of decades. Moreover, such intensive and reckless use of fossil fuel has made our planet highly endangered through the emission of carbon into the atmosphere and consequent global warming and adverse climate change.
The energy sector is the source of around three-quarters of greenhouse gas emissions in today’s world and holds the key to averting the worst effects of climate change. Replacing polluting coal, gas and oil-fired power with energy from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, would dramatically reduce carbon emissions. And hopefully, many influential people, authorities and institutions are becoming deeply concerned about global warming and high carbon emission. In this course of the transition of the sources of energy, many more action plans are also being taken by many automobile and aviation industries and producing electric vehicles and aircraft with zero or low carbon emissions. Jet fuel, used in aircraft, is responsible for 3.5% of total carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Jet engine with lower carbon emission is expected to go into operation within the next couple of years. Many observers are agreed that 2023 would see an increase in the trends of going towards lower carbon emissions with the use of renewable systems and new technologies, creating long-term sustainable energy consumption. In this course of action, planting new forests (afforestation) or restoring old ones (reforestation) might be the easiest way to implement this.
There are many ways humankind can help reduce carbon emissions. We may reduce our unnecessary travel, make our driving more efficient and rational, we may reduce our consumption of red meat and make our homes more energy efficient. These may reduce our luxury, comfort and aristocracy but this little sacrifice could save our planet from a huge disaster. It is proven that during the Corona Pandemic, the whole world became stranded. People substantially reduced their daily activities, travels, tours, consumption and unnecessary shopping. Sometimes during that pandemic period, surviving COVID-19 infection was the highest priority to every man and woman let alone even thinking of any more unnecessary luxury and comfort. At that time of extremely limited consumption, carbon emission was reduced dramatically, global warming was reduced substantially and the atmosphere became very much healthy and clean.
Individually we could help to limit climate change by making a difference in our way of traveling, our use of electricity, our food habits, our buying of things, and many other consumption patterns. Moreover, individual Greenhouse Gas emissions are not similar all over the world. This emission varies significantly from country to country. Being the largest economy in the world and holder of one-fourth of global GDP, per capita carbon emissions in the USA, as of data in 2020, were 14.6 tons. This volume is more than double the global average of 6.3 tons, and six times the 2.4 tons per person in South Asia. However, climate scientists suggest that for preserving a tolerable and healthy climate, the average emissions per person per year will need to be reduced to around 2 to 2.5 tons by 2030.
If we want to tackle adverse climate change and heal the wounds of our climate, we have to take some effective actions starting from our home. As much of our electricity and heat are powered by coal, oil and gas we may use less energy by lowering our heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances. We may also wash our laundry with cold water, or hang things to dry instead of using a dryer. This little effort could reduce the per-person carbon footprint by up to 900 kilograms of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) of other greenhouse gases per year.
Environment-friendly eating habits could tackle adverse climate change. We may eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, and less meat and dairy which can significantly lower our environmental impact. We should produce plant-based foods that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land, and water. Switching to a mostly vegetarian diet can reduce individual carbon footprint by up to 500 kilograms of CO2e per year.
Each year millions of vehicles are clogging the world’s roadways and most of those are burning diesel or gasoline. Instead of driving we may walk or ride a bike and it could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help our health and fitness. In case of longer distances, we may also consider taking a train or bus. This substantial reduction in the use of cars can reduce individual carbon footprint by up to 2 tons of CO2e per year compared to a lifestyle using a car.
Electric cars help reduce air pollution and cause significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gas or diesel-powered vehicles. So, switching from a gasoline or diesel-powered car to an electric vehicle can reduce individual carbon footprint by up to 2 tons of CO2e per year. On the other hand, a hybrid vehicle can save up to 700 kilograms of CO2e per year. Similarly, switching our home from the energy generated by oil, gas, or coal to renewable sources of energy, such as wind or solar, can reduce our carbon footprint by up to 1.5 tons of CO2e per year.
Taking fewer flights is the fastest way to reduce our environmental impact as airplanes burn a significant amount of fossil fuels, producing more than 3.5% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. When meeting virtually can serve our purpose we may skip that long-distance trip altogether. It is estimated that one less long-haul return flight can reduce individual carbon emissions by up to almost 2 tons.
A huge volume of resources and energy are used in growing, producing, packaging and transporting foods. But when we throw away food recklessly then we are just wasting those resources and energy. When we throw away food, it rots in a landfill and produces methane which is a powerful greenhouse gas. Simply by cutting our food waste, we can reduce individual carbon footprint by up to 300 kilograms of CO2e per year.
At each point in production electronics, clothes, and other items we buy and use cause carbon emissions, such as from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing and transporting goods to market. So, to protect our climate, we should buy fewer things, shop second-hand, repair what we can, and recycle the same as much as possible. Manufacturing one kilogram of textiles generates about 17 kilograms of CO2e. Buying fewer new clothes and other consumer goods obviously could reduce individual carbon footprint and also cut down on waste.
Every spending by a consumer affects the planet. But we have the power to choose which goods and services we should avail and support. To reduce our environmental impact, we must choose products from companies who are very much conscious about the impact of climate change, use resources responsibly and have a strong commitment to cutting their greenhouse gas emissions and waste.
All of the above steps are not so difficult to take and implement. This is also one of the quickest and most effective ways to make a difference. So, we should propagate these action plans to our neighbors, colleagues, friends, family and make them popular. Through popular uprising, we must make all business owners, policymakers, statesmen, international organizations and political leaders bound to take all necessary bold steps for saving our planet from an ultimate disaster. Let us make a strong appeal to local and world leaders to act at this right moment. Because this is a collective task and concerns all of us.
The Daily SUN 21-10-2023
