Would anyone be interested in trying to do one small thing each week to tackle climate change?

[riotlady]

I’ve seen a few threads on aibu recently with people panicking about climate change and I often find myself worrying about it too, especially in light of the report published today. Studies show that one of the best ways to combat anxiety is to feel like you’re doing something about the problem, so I’ve decided to challenge myself to do one small thing to reduce my impact on the planet each week. I’m wondering if anyone would like to join me? I’m thinking small actions like walking or cycling a journey when you would normally take the car, swapping shower gel for bar soap, switching to a greener energy supplier, etc. No judgement about what is and isn’t feasible for people- for example I have ME and am very fatigued, so often use my tumble drier instead of hanging things out as I just don’t have the energy. There’s no point guilting myself over that, so I might as well focus on the things that I CAN change.

I’ve just sent an email to my MP so that’s my start to this week :)

Why would you all be making all these sacrifices (a PP willing to lose her job for not using her car FFS!) when billions of people -e.g. in Asia- are unlikely to self-flagellate in the same way? It's ridiculous, really

@mustlovegin

Why would you all be making all these sacrifices (a PP willing to lose her job for not using her car FFS!) when billions of people -e.g. in Asia- are unlikely to self-flagellate in the same way? It's ridiculous, really

Sorry, that is untrue. Most Asians already live like this. Very few have 2 cars, tumbledryers, eat the amount of meat Westerners do, consume the amount of plastic or fast fashion, fly frequently... Have a look at the carbon footprint of the average Westerner when compared to the average Asian.

I am not saying PP should give up her car and lose her job either.

@mustlovegin

Why would you all be making all these sacrifices (a PP willing to lose her job for not using her car FFS!) when billions of people -e.g. in Asia- are unlikely to self-flagellate in the same way? It's ridiculous, really

I am doing it for my DC. It will probably change nothing at all, but I feel better if I at least try to reduce my footprint. I feel extremely sad and guilty thinking about the fact I for sure contributed in creating the damaged world they will inherit.

Have a look at the carbon footprint of the average Westerner when compared to the average Asian

This is a myth really, and you see it when you travel to Asia. It's billions of people. And I'm not bashing any region/country in particular, it's just the reality.

I am doing it for my DC. It will probably change nothing at all, but I feel better if I at least try to reduce my footprint

Yes, this is understandable, and I'm not saying we shouldn't all try to contribute with changes that are sensible (i.e. plastic bags, etc). But it's extremely naïve when people become very militant or turn vegan 'to save the planet' running the risk of being severely malnourished, etc. When the rest of the world is eating more (not less) meat and improving their nutritional intake - just the opposite of what we are doing here

This is a myth really

No it isn’t and there’s plenty of data available on it.

I'm really out of touch. I didn't know anyone really gave this any thought other than someone who created a post a few days ago. It amazes me how many of you have this at the forefront of your mind. I'm not there yet but I'm sure as time goes on we'll hear more about it

I do think it’s a little unfair for us to point the finger at developing countries. We have had a comparatively very high standard of living in the West for many years, and a lot of our wealth and industry was built on the backs of colonised countries like India. Now places like India and China are developing at a rapid rate and people are wanting the style of living that places like Europe and the US have set as a standard- cars, appliances, meat heavy diets- and we turn around and do the whole “well we can’t possible reduce our consumption unless you do it first” routine.

I am Asian and have lived in 4 Asian countries, so don't need to travel to Asia to see this:) You are making two separate points. Asian countries may be highly populated, but the more sensible measure is C02 emissions per capita, where the Asian countries widely bashed on this thread do far better than the average American. This article explains it well, www.theguardian.com/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita#:~:text=But%20all%20that%20really%20tells,clocks%20in%20at%204.6%20tonnes.

Australia's C02 per capita is 20 tonnes per person, the UK's is 9.7 and India's is 1.2. Climate change isn't really as simple as blaming the teeming billions in Asia who -horror of horrors-now are eating more meat. By the way, more meat means they eat it twice a week instead of once, not to the extent the US does.

Yes it all starts with small steps at home! I am thinking about the ultimate way to save the planet - birth control and limiting the new number of future first world consumers! I will consider just to have the one child and maybe one more and definitely not a home crowd. This ecological issue is human made and it starts with the number of humans and use of infinite resources as everything else is hypocritical virtual misplaced signalling like the government minister responsible for these issues doing his utmost to personally use up as much resources on his unlimited jaunts and jolly private jetting globally in their usual tone deaf contradictory manner just like the leader who has lost count of his known double digit(?) number offspring per parent. Alexander Johnson himself is the carbon footprint equivalent of a ultimate high Covid R rate. What are you doing personally about making a real difference? Small steps make a change - big changes makes all the difference!

I do think it’s a little unfair for us to point the finger at developing countries

We all share the same planet though. It would be silly for 66 million people in the UK to become malnourished when there are at least 70 million people in China (just to give an example) who have started to improve their diets and nutrition eating more meat and dairy. It's completely illogical.

@MareofBeasttown

I am Asian and have lived in 4 Asian countries, so don't need to travel to Asia to see this:) You are making two separate points. Asian countries may be highly populated, but the more sensible measure is C02 emissions per capita, where the Asian countries widely bashed on this thread do far better than the average American. This article explains it well, www.theguardian.com/environment/datablog/2009/sep/02/carbon-emissions-per-person-capita#:~:text=But%20all%20that%20really%20tells,clocks%20in%20at%204.6%20tonnes.

Australia's C02 per capita is 20 tonnes per person, the UK's is 9.7 and India's is 1.2. Climate change isn't really as simple as blaming the teeming billions in Asia who -horror of horrors-now are eating more meat. By the way, more meat means they eat it twice a week instead of once, not to the extent the US does.

Well said. The BBC article on China was horrible as it compared all these countries without any per capita comparison. China has HALF the carbon emissions per capita than the US. And they’re actively working towards net zero...US can’t really say the same....they’ve not reduced their per capita consumption.

China has HALF the carbon emissions per capita than the US

Who is measuring this?

Oh well, I think eating less meat won't make anyone in the UK or the US malnourished, and in fact would likely make them healthier.

@mustlovegin

I do think it’s a little unfair for us to point the finger at developing countries

We all share the same planet though. It would be silly for 66 million people in the UK to become malnourished when there are at least 70 million people in China (just to give an example) who have started to improve their diets and nutrition eating more meat and dairy. It's completely illogical.

Well yes, it would be silly for us all to become malnourished, but literally nobody is suggesting that.

Who is suggesting people become malnourished?

X post

I do think it is alarming that the CO2 emissions of Asian countries have increased at a far higher rate than other countries, but as a PP said. it is because industrialisation came to them late. Look at Burma on that list; a 105% jump. I don't think it's because every Burmese now has 3 SUVs , eats a steak a day and flies off on holiday every few months. It is because they had very little to begin with.

Also it’s not necessarily an improvement in diet. There was a great documentary on the BBC a little while ago called “what are we feeding our kids”. It featured a shop on a boat that Nestle sent up a remote area of the Amazon selling every kind of junk and convenience food imaginable, at prices lower than the local market. Obesity rates there have increased, it’s much worse for the environment, and all for the benefit of a European company’s profit margin.

Actually properly boycotting all Nestle products might be one of my next steps, they’re a bloody despicable company

Before you point the finger of blame at China, stop buying products made there.

We are just exporting our carbon emissions there.

I think it's great to see that so many people are willing to make changes!

In case anyone is looking for some more guidance, Kim Nicholas is an expert on what impact individual changes can have. For example, she has produced quick overview of most effective individual changes here and an up to date list of suggestions that also involves other types of action (vote, contact your MP) here.

It is because they had very little to begin with

What does this mean? We've had our turn so now we need to suck it up and move over so that they can have a go?

I would be happy to join in with this. I have recently fallen into the habit of using make-up remover wipes but I have just got some reusable face cloths that will apparently remove it all with just water. Not tried it yet but I'll be delighted if it works. And if it doesn't I shall try using them with cleansing bars instead as that may be better than disposable wipes or plastic pots of beauty products.

Being eco friendly, low carbon, or less polluting doesn't mean we all do the same thing as local conditions vary; people need to focus on their own choices and stop judging others.

I can't eat a high carb diet so going vegan isn't an option. OP has to use a tumble dryer. Neither of us needs to feel any guilt about that.

Well yes, it would be silly for us all to become malnourished, but literally nobody is suggesting that

I (like many other people, depending on genetics - not everyone, of course) do not do well on a plant based or reduced animal products diet. And I'm saying this based on my own labs - before anyone starts. So yes, we are condemning many in the West to become malnourished while other countries get a free pass to thrive.