Examining Climate Change as an Individual, and Collectively

The latest contribution from Jori Hamilton looks at how individuals can begin to address climate change, as well as the role companies and cities can play. This is her fifth contribution to 21st Century Tech Blog. Jori lives in Oregon and writes about technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, and sustainability. She graduated from Boise State University and you can learn more about her by following her on Twitter: @HamiltonJori.

There is no mistaking that climate change is having a profound impact on our lives. Already we are starting to see many of the danger signs that scientists warned us about for years:.things like an increase in the frequency of natural disasters, changes to weather patterns, reduction, dramatic losses in biodiversity, and falling agricultural yields.

As our climate problems mount, many point fingers at large companies and industries that are deemed to be major contributors to atmospheric warming, ocean acidification, and general environmental decline. There are, however, plenty of actions we as individuals have taken that are equally responsible for the changing climate. After all, in a capitalist society, industries respond to consumer demand and if consumers are asking for carbon-intensive products, that’s what they get.

Given this, individuals need to do a self-assessment of their current contribution to the global warming problem. If they personally choose ways to combat climate change, as consumers they can influence companies to do the same.

Individuals

The first step is to get a solid estimate of how much you or your family unit are contributing to climate change. This may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but if you inventory your lifestyle, the foods you buy, the vehicles you drive, the home you live in, and your travel habits, you can begin to get a handle on your carbon footprint. Fortunately, a great deal of work is being put into carbon calculators that can help people estimate their carbon contribution, which serves as a baseline estimate for determining your contribution to the climate crisis. 

Carbon calculators are useful ways of identifying habits and practices that can be changed to make a big difference. For instance, if you drive to work every day rather than take accessible public transit, or if you maintain a large lawn instead of converting some of it into a carbon-capturing native habitat. Taking first steps such as the aforementioned can allow you to begin your personal transition to a low carbon future. 

It may not feel like much, but every small change in your personal behaviour contributes to solving the climate crisis. And by your example, you may even encourage others to begin to make similar changes. Reducing food waste by eating leftovers is a simple step. Or limiting one-time use plastic bags when grocery shopping is another. 

Companies and Cities

Though individuals are important in combating climate change, so are corporations. Industry is a big contributor of carbon emissions leading to climate change. Not all industrial sectors are equally culpable. There are shades of gray  But companies with extensive supply chains rise to the top in terms of greenhouse gas contributors in many analyses. 

Then there are cities where the majority of us live today. Cities can both contribute to and combat climate change. For example, cities can work to implement waste reduction programs, whether it be garbage to landfill, food waste, water waste, or energy waste. Likewise, city officials can increase public transportation use and implement sustainable infrastructure building codes. 

Many civic and business leaders today realize the necessity to change and the potential economic benefits that can be derived from that change. Economists report substantial growth and job opportunities in investing in clean energy. And businesses that embrace sustainability are likely to reap these benefits in the coming years. 

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Although one can debate the merits of whether it is more valuable for individuals or businesses to work towards greater sustainability, there is little doubt that if we all contribute to changing our behaviour we will help transition to a low carbon future must faster. You may have thought that as an individual you can’t possibly make a difference. But millions of individuals making the effort can. And thousands of corporations working together can do the same. In the end, combatting climate change requires us to change the way we live and work. We can make the change a positive one or we can stand to the side and let global warming overwhelm us within our lifetime, and leave a terrible legacy for those who follow us.