When you think about action heroes, what comes to mind? Batman? Superman? Superwoman? Spiderman?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a hero as a “mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability; an illustrious warrior; a person admired for achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage; the central figure in an event, period, or movement.”
Though most of us may never be mythological or legendary, we’re all capable of being heroes. We are divine beings. We’ve been given the divine right to free will and can choose how to shape our story. We can choose to be action heroes by changing the way we live, and by extension, changing the world.
When it comes to the existential crisis of climate change, scientists say we only have ten years before we reach the point of no return. I think we have less time than that. This crisis is accelerating. Each year, each season, gets more and more challenging for the survival of all species on planet Earth, including humans. It feels like Mother Gaia is fighting back to rid herself of the parasites (humans) who have destroyed the natural world.
I live in the Los Angeles area. This week, we had record high temperatures that were pretty scary. They reached 114 degrees two days in a row where I live. My tomato plants “melted” over the porch rail, and the few tomatoes that have set so far were partially cooked. In nearby Woodland Hills, temps reached 121 degrees – a record for Los Angeles!
Our wildfire season has started early this year. There are multiple fires burning all around the state of California, including several in my area. Other parts of the country are experiencing severe natural events, too, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, pestilence, flooding, and COVID-19 (yes, that, too is climate related).
Is there anything we can do to turn this situation around?
Yes. Glad you asked. But we don’t have much time. We must ALL jump in and take charge of our actions. We need to become ACTION HEROES who are on a mission to save humankind and all of Mother Gaia’s creatures.
Do you think, “I’m all for stopping climate change. I share posts about it all the time, I complain about it, and I tell my friends and family that climate change is real.” Okay, great. Are you doing anything about it or just complaining?
It’s time to stop the talk and do the walk. TAKE ACTION. Be the action hero of your story.
You may think you’re just one person and wonder if you can have any impact. Yes, you can. You can have a big impact, but you won’t do it alone. Millions of others must take action with you. The change starts with you. It starts with each one of us. Our individual power lies in the collective consciousness of the community. We must each take action NOW and inspire action in others.
What’s our number one goal? Cutting CO2 emissions by limiting or eliminating the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, carbon, natural gas, coal, plastic (derived from petroleum) and replacing these fuels with renewable and cleaner sources of energy.
According to Kimberly Nicholas, an associate professor of sustainability science at the Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies in Sweden, “We need to cut CO2 emissions almost in half (45%) by the end of the next decade.”
Okay, so we have a goal. Now, for the game plan. Here’s what you can do – and please – start doing these things immediately and continue every day.
Actions You Can Do at Home
Your daily decisions have a powerful impact on the climate. There are four recommended actions that will have the greatest impact in reducing greenhouse gases on an individual level: having one fewer child (yup); living without a car; avoid flying; and eating a plant-based diet. Boom. These are all doable.
Having one fewer child prevents nearly 60 tons of CO2 emissions into our environment per year. When I was a child growing up in the 60s, I made a conscious decision at that time that I would not have children (and I didn’t). I realized at this early age that the Earth was overpopulated and could not sustain life if our population continued to explode. I know this is a sensitive, controversial topic, but it’s an important one to consider. Have fewer children.
Human overpopulation is the main factor in climate change. If you feel you need a large family, please consider adopting an older child. There are thousands of beautiful little kids living in foster care and orphanages who yearn to have a permanent family. One organization, KidSave, works to “create global change so older children grow up in families and connected to caring adults.” You can make a difference by adopting a child and teaching them how to be an action hero, just like you!
Are you driving to work? Consider taking mass transit, instead. Living without a car not only reduces carbon emissions, it means you’re walking or biking more, and that can lead to weight loss and better-quality air.
Are you driving an SUV, van, or truck? Unless it’s an electric-powered vehicle, you’re adding to climate change. Consider trading up to a cleaner model. If you live in an apartment where it’s hard or impossible to charge an electric vehicle, get a hybrid. It’s a compromise but a step in the right direction.
Do you really need to fly somewhere? Flying has a major impact on climate change. Jets use fossil fuel. An average transatlantic flight releases approximately 1.6 tons of CO2 – for just one flight! More people are turning to virtual meetings and taking vacations in their local area to cut down on flying.
Eat a plant-based diet. It’s one of the most effective actions you can take. Reducing your consumption of animal protein by half can cut your carbon footprint by at least 40%. Bonus: Plant-based diets preserve biodiversity and prevent or reduce illnesses like type 2 diabetes and cancer. The meat industry is a major source of CO2 emissions. There are three ways in which it impacts climate change: cows burping methane (yes, really); feeding cows corn and soy; and cows require lots of water and deforested land where they can graze.
Here’s a longer list of what else you can do.
High Impact Actions:
- Have one fewer child
- Live car free
- Avoid one flight (depending on length)
- Purchase green energy
- Drive a more efficient car
- Eat a plant-based diet
Moderate Impact Actions:
- Efficient home heating/cooling
- Use solar power and renewable energy at home
- Use public transportation, bike, walk
- Buy energy efficient products
- Conserve energy
- Reduce food waste
- Eat less meat or eliminate meat from your diet
- Replace your lawn with native plantings
- Reduce overall consumption
- Reuse and repurpose
- Recycle
- Pay bills online to reduce paper waste
- Buy local and eat local
Low Impact Actions:
- Conserve water
- Eliminate unnecessary travel
- Minimize waste
- Run the dishwasher only when full
- Plant trees
- Compost
- Purchase carbon offsets
- Reduce lawn mowing
- Ecotourism
- Keep backyard chickens
- Buy ecolabel products
Actions You Can Do in Your Community
- Spread awareness
- Influence employer’s actions
- Influence school’s actions
Actions You Can Do as a Consumer and a Voter
As consumers and voters, we can put pressure on governments and companies to make system-wide changes. We can influence large entities, like the food industry, by the choices we make at the store.
The power of the purse is undeniable. Your shopping will make a difference. Support organic farming and buy local. Goods that need to be shipped have a larger CO2 footprint than local goods. Buying local will help to reduce emissions. Choose to buy less and reuse, repurpose, or donate items that you might have thrown away in the past.
You don’t need to dress in the latest fashions. The fashion industry produces about 3% of CO2 emissions globally because they use a lot of energy to manufacture their goods. They also encourage people to discard out-of-fashion clothing and update their wardrobe with the latest fashions every season. What a waste!
Start a divestment campaign to eliminate any fossil fuel stock shares. Encourage universities and religious groups to divest their stocks in fossil fuels and in banks that support high-emission industries. Check with your financial advisor to be sure your investments do not include fossil fuels. Check to be sure your pension fund, workplace, university, and bank do not invest in fossil fuels. Let them know that you will not support the fossil fuel industry.
Join a renewable energy co-op. You’ll be able to support the development of clean energy technologies and get a return on your investment at the same time.
Vote for politicians who want to make positive changes in how industries are run and subsidized, politicians who legislate against deforestation and the use of fossil fuels and for a green economy and phasing out the use of HFCs used in refrigerators and air conditioning, which increase global warming.
Inspire Change in Your Community
Humans resist change. Most people won’t make changes in their habits unless they’re forced to. Unfortunately, we’ve come to that moment in which we no longer have a choice. It’s either change or perish, do or die. Take action or be relegated to the dustbin of extinction.
Empower individuals to focus on changing their behaviors. They’ll be rewarded with a healthier, less stressful lifestyle – and the big prize – continued existence on this planet. Let your neighbors know about what you’re doing to combat climate change. Inspire them to do the same. When people know that others are taking action, they are more willing to jump in and make changes themselves.
Teach your children how to make green choices and support youth-led environmental movements. The youngest generations are our future. They have the most at stake. They are motivated to make change, because their futures are on the line. Around the globe, kids are taking action in surprising and innovative ways. Let them know you’re there to support their efforts.
We can do it!
We can be the superheroes of our time, the directors of our human story. When we take action as individuals and as a global community, we can bring our planet back to health and balance for a future that benefits all beings on this beautiful, divine planet called Earth.
And… ACTION!
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