It’s important when discussing impacts of climate change for us to consider that it is not only individuals who contribute to this growing disaster. Although private citizens can do their own part in the fight against climate change, it is vital to acknowledge that they are not the major contributors now or throughout history to the detrimental human impact we as a society have had on the environment. Frankly, the heaviest hand in the contribution to climate change can be attributed to big corporations and the top 1% in economic society.

 

According to nrdc.org, there have been about 100 energy companies identified that “have been responsible for 71% of all industrial emissions since human-driven climate change was officially recognized,” and that “the top 15 U.S food and beverage companies generate nearly 630 million metric tons of greenhouse gases every year.” These are just small examples of hundreds of thousands of pieces of information generated by different studies conducted on climate change that prove individuals are not the main reason why we are now experiencing such detrimental effects of climate change.

 

Remembering who the major contributors of climate change are highlights the truth that they are the ones who should claim responsibility, although few ever do: many major corporations often set goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation, but hardly ever meet these goals. This is important in discussing prevention for further acceleration of climate change disaster, because even though there are small but important steps that individuals can take, it is not the solution.

 

However, the small things that we as individual consumers can do in our daily lives is vital to reducing our own carbon footprints and making our own contribution to this climate chaos. The more we all do on our own, the bigger change we can make.

​

​

​

​

​

​

• Begin using energy-efficient light bulbs!

​

• Unplug electronic devices and appliances when they aren’t being used!

​

• Avoid using hot water for washing clothes as it takes up more energy; use cold or warm!

​

• Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer for all of them!

​

• Try renewable items: reusable straws, bags, and cups go a long way in eliminating plastic use!

​

• Eat less meat and dairy products – they take a huge amount of resources to produce!

​

• Try to walk or bike whenever possible instead of driving, and if you have to, use public transportation! Sharing rides cuts emissions!

​

• Try switching to a hybrid or electric vehicle! Lower that carbon footprint!

​

• Make compost! It’s a fun experiment and great for the environment!

​

 

​

 

 

Get educated and get involved. Do what you can to learn about climate change: what causes it, it’s major contributors, how it can impact us in 5, 10, or 30 years!! Learn about why it’s so important to change it, then implement that knowledge! Join youth-led movements to keep the conversation about climate change going, and vote for local, state, and national representatives who put the nation’s and our environment’s interests over corporate greed and profit! 

​

Some resources to learn more and get involved: 

 

https://www.earthday.org/campaigns/climateaction/

 

https://www.theclimategroup.org/join-us

 

https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/ten-ways-get-involved-people-climate-movement