- What Are You Eating? Food production accounts for 23% of human greenhouse gas emissions. We must adjust our diets. If we eat less or eliminate meat and dairy it is one of the most effective carbon – cutting changes we can make in our homes. Discuss what dietary changes you can make.
- What Transportation Do You Use? Globally transportation accounts for 23% (28% in Canada) of human emissions. Suggestions that might help: start riding a bike, car pool, use public transportation when possible. Live car free if possible or drive a smaller car.
- How Does Your Home Contribute? Heating both space and water, makes up 80% of residential energy in Canada. Small actions you may take would be to wash clothes in cold water. On a larger scale you might consider retrofitting your home for more energy efficiently.
- What Do You Throw Out? On a per capita basis, North Americans produce the highest amount of waste in the world. Most of us know the mantra reduce, reuse, recycle. To reduce, plan carefully and buy only what you need. It saves money and reduces emissions from packaging, transportation and production. Families could consider how they might reuse goods.
- Who Can You Influence? Take time to educate yourself on the evidence, causes and effects of climate change. Children are sure to notice when an adult makes an effort to reduce waste. Explain what your actions and choices mean for the environment.
These are some ideas you may use. Come up with some of your own. Share ideas with family, friends and your community. Small steps can lead to big change.
(Article from the PEI Guardian newspaper, Monday Jan. 20, 2020)