Reduce, reuse, recycle. Sounds simple enough. But how effective is it really? What impact does your personal efforts have on this global crisis? And if every person did reduce, reuse and recycle, would all our problems be solved? If you’re like me, these are questions that are likely to keep you up at night especially with that irreversible climate change countdown looming over our heads…literally. And those countless google searches of “what more can I do to help???”. In this I’ve come across all kinds of suggestions that always leave me feeling guilty for the things that I enjoy. One article published by the BBC in February 2020 showed that 2.4% of global CO2 emissions are as a result of aviation, given that only around 4% of the world’s population are frequent fliers. As a result, many are advising travel alternatives to flying. However, living on an island means that this swap is not feasible. So does that mean I should stop traveling? Of course not, saving the planet should not mean giving up the quality of life you desire.
The fact of the matter is that we aren’t the biggest contributors to carbon emissions. The reduction in energy consumption due to stay at home orders was only 6%. Your daily work commute is not melting the polar ice caps. Having the air condition running on hot days is not the reason why California is on fire. So why are we made to feel like this? The biggest factor in climate change is unsurprisingly mass industrial activity. Yes, those same industries that tell you to recycle their plastic bottles and drive your car less frequently. They simply shift the blame onto the consumer rather than change their own products to suit changing times.
Now I’m not saying that we should give up our personal fights against climate change. All I’m saying is that we should recognize the actual culprits and hold them accountable. For example, the easiest solution uses simple supply and demand. You vote with your dollar and you can choose to support brands who share your ethical views. If you choose to purchase ethically and environmentally conscious products as opposed to the others, you are telling producers what you prefer in a product, and what they need to change about themselves. In Trinidad popular groceries and bulk stores like Massy and Pricesmart offer the option of using reusable bags rather than plastic. But many other groceries haven’t followed suit. Show companies what makes their products more desirable over others. While the previous suggestion may lead you into some pricey situations, there are alternatives. Petitions and other forms of public communication concerning the policies of companies can be just as helpful. Create a petition or write a letter to your favourite beverage company asking them to consider a bottle return policy. With the backing of a large group you may be able to persuade businesses to change. While more can always be done, many seem to be genuinely trying to improve their greenhouse gas emission. Carbon offset initiatives are being undertaken by a number of big companies including Disney, L’Oréal, and a number of airlines. Social pressure put forth by consumers has forced many multinational companies to change for the better. Multiple popular fast fashion brands are releasing sustainable lines with clothing made from recycled textiles at H&M or sustainable cotton at ASOS. Likewise, many makeup brands infamous for testing on animals have now gone cruelty free as many consumers boycotted their products. The conclusion to be drawn is that though the odds may seem to be stacked against us; individual actions can have consequences. As consumers we have the right to choose what we support and reject what does not align with our personal views. There is always an alternative or rival that is more accommodating, so why not support it? Why not choose to invest in what you believe in? Your choices can influence others. Make informed decisions and mindfully purchase based on the products you believe in. We all reside on one Earth. We all have the same responsibility to preserve it no matter our status or available resources. Every action no matter how small has a larger ripple effect. Do what you can and do it now.
Sources:
Comments