The importance of individual action against climate change

Individual action against climate change can be defined as changes made or action taken by a single person as a contribution towards the fight against climate change. This type of climate action is often undervalued because most people think that their individual actions couldn't actually make a difference to this global problem but this isn't true. [1]

All the large and meaningful structures which we would all like to see change the most would be the government and their departments, large companies and maybe also large populations like in cities, but these structures don't function independently and rely on people. Governments rely on their people to gain power and keep it, so they need people to approve implementation of new laws and customs. Although the departments under the government have to answer to the government, these departments function because of the people who comprise them. Large companies became large because people needed what they offered or valued the visions of those companies, they didn't become influential powers alone.

Although it is important to push governments and influential companies to change the way they function, it is also valuable to note that people are an essential part of these structures, and changing how we behave could cause shifts in how these structures operate. A simple way to apply this to government would be to vote for a party which has a climate change adaptation and mitigation policy or to drive the development of such policies [1]. This would be individual climate action in one of the most meaningful forms.

Another way would be to be conscious of which businesses you support, in South Africa it's very important to support local businesses not only for the economy and it's development but also to prevent environmental damage. International products have to be imported in some way; by ship, plane or by road or from another Africa country. This means that your carbon footprint would increase on account of the products you use, their production and transport. It is also important to be aware of the production of the products you consume and whether the company in production minimizes their effects on the environment [3]. This would also require more knowledge of the operations of the businesses you decide to buy food from because some local businesses don’t always have the best environmental impacts [4].

Individual action is just as important and valuable as group work, as each action carries different weight regarding the effects against climate change. A good example of a single action with a great affect would be the decision to drive instead of flying. In certain African countries the carbon emissions of a single person in a year could be equivalent to one international flight [2]. There's no doubt that avoiding this type of flight would have a large impact on emissions.

Other individual actions are low scale in terms of impact but are more frequently promoted in the shift to greener living. Some of these actions include switching to energy efficient light bulbs, recycling or washing clothes with cold water. These actions collectively only save about 0.5 tonnes in individual emissions, but that means nothing if you still flights because a flight could range anywhere from 0.2 to 1 ton [2]. This isn't to say that the lightweight actions aren't meaningful but that shouldn't be where your work for the environment stops, that shouldn't be enough or all that you're able to do. There are other things which can be done such as living car free, if you can, driving less or carpooling or switching to a plant-based diet.

I am not here to speak about the doom and gloom of global warming and climate change, but to empower you so that you can make the best decisions for your life and the environment. I'm here to make your role clear and to help you play it.

Through this blog you will be able to explore different forms of climate action and which changes could be easily implemented into your life to create a greener lifestyle. We will explore how every area of your life could benefit the environment and together we will become climate activists through climate action.

Live green, see green

Shannon

References

1. Tschaket, P., Zimmer, K., King, B., Baum, S. and Wang, C. (2018). Individual vs. Collective Action. Environment and Society in a Changing World. [ONLINE] Available at https://www.e-education.psu.edu/geog30/node/346 (Accessed on 01/04/2020).

2. Kommenda, N. (2019). How your flight emits as much CO2 as many people do in a year. The Guardian. [Online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2019/jul/19/carbon-calculator-how-taking-one-flight-emits-as-much-as-many-people-do-in-a-year (Accessed 21/04/20).

3. Thompson, A. (2017). The Environmental Benefits of Buying Locally. Go Green. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.gogreen.org/blog/the-environmental-benefits-of-buying-locally (Accessed 01/04/2020).

4. Dratch, D. (2015). 10 major myths about living green. Bankrate. [Online] Available at: https://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/10-major-myths-about-living-green-1.aspx (Accessed 21/04/20).