ENVIRONMENTAL ARTICLE Climate Change & Our Carbon Footprint? BY DR. HAMAD SHAFQAT
Scientists have been tirelessly raising concerns over climate change and demanding immediate intervention to avoid the imminent threat face by humanity. Climate change can still be tackled if people acknowledge the threat and embrace major shifts in the way we live. During the recent COVID-19 crisis, the public's response proved that they are willing to accept radical lifestyle changes if necessary for their health and survival.
Climate change can be overwhelming. Science predicts drastic consequences if humanity doesn't alter its current course of action. While real solutions for this problem will require action on a global scale, there are some individual choices that can reduce the burden on our environment. The term 'carbon footprint' refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions from different production activities and industrial processes. Carbon dioxide is the gas that plays a crucial role in climate change and is most commonly emitted by humans. It traps the heat in the atmosphere, which results in global warming.
Change Your Habits
The mode of transportation we use is the major factor in deciding the extent of carbon dioxide emission. By opting for public transport or cycling more frequently, we can significantly cut down on CO2 emissions. Moreover, using electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines can also drastically reduce our carbon footprint. The recent shift to electric cars is also considered a vital step towards reversing the damage caused to our climate. According to a study, Americans waste 25 percent of the food they buy. This puts an enormous strain on agriculture as we are producing more food than we need. The agriculture sector plays a gigantic part in the total greenhouse gas emissions, and meat and dairy products are significant contributors. Project Drawdown concluded that adopting a vegetarian diet can also help in cutting down emissions by 63 percent. Even cutting down on animal products can contribute towards a lesser carbon footprint.
We can begin to solve the climate change problem individually. There is a dire need for collective contribution and mass involvement. However, we can't underestimate a single person's efforts. Individual actions can create ripple effects. We need to spread the word and influence others to take action. If we are to leave a habitable planet for our future generations to live, the time to act is NOW!