What can you do? Print E-mail
 GET PERSONAL: The climate is changing. Are you? Those of us with high-emissions life-styles have a particular moral obligation to act. Fortunately, there is encouraging evidence that people are beginning to do so. In a 2008 survey polling more than 30,000 people in thirty European countries, 61 percent of respondents had taken measures to reduce their carbon footprint. A quarter of those asked said they had helped the environment by altering their buying habits and using their car less often. Those who had taken action said they believed it would make a difference, that they had a duty to protect the environment or were concerned about the legacy for future generations.


Each of us needs to be part of the solution to climate change. Here are a few suggestions for getting started:


-Become better informed. The more you learn about climate change, the more committed you will become to making a difference - and the better you will be at explaining your choices to others! Educate yourself about climate change and the things you can do to make a difference.


-Reduce your personal environmental impact. While it is true that the solution to global warming requires government action, including funding, legislation and regulatory changes, and action by the private sector, individuals also have a critical role to play. In the words of Ghandi, each of us needs to ‘Be the change we want to see in the world.' Begin by checking your own home and habits to identify opportunities for change - begin with easy corrections and then progress to more difficult ones.


-Persuade others to do the same. Once your own house is in order, reach out to family and friends, then move on to colleagues at work, your boss, fellow students, etc. We can beat climate change by acting together.


GET POLITICAL: Let your local, district and national government leaders know that you expect them to take bold, immediate action to address the challenge - and hold them accountable for doing so. To help make your voice heard, join or become more active in a political party, support advocacy campaigns, and participate in civic movements that reflect your concerns about global warming. Enhance your impact by identifying a particular element of the problem that you feel particularly motivated to address. Learn about it in detail. Then, team-up with like-minded neighbours and civil society organisations (religious institutions, labour unions, not-for-profits, etc.) to press for action by government and businesses leaders. Some examples of particular issues include:

- Mitigation targets and the switch to clean energy. The challenge is evident, but governments need to know their citizens will support big steps despite short-term costs.
 
- The protection and conservation of forests. Forests play a key role in global warming because they store carbon. When forests are destroyed, they release this carbon into the atmosphere. Deforestation now accounts for about 20 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions each year.
 
- Assisting especially vulnerable populations to adapt. The world's poorest people will be the hardest hit by climate change despite having contributed least to the problem. Many people struggling to survive could be pushed over the brink. They need your help to address this profound injustice.