Earth911’s Mitch Ratcliffe asked Brett Jenks, CEO of the global regenerative development nonprofit. rare.orgshares his advice to people who want to make a positive difference in their environment, especially when it comes to money. This is the answer from Brett this week’s episode Sustainability in your ears.
I hated this question. Because five years ago, there was no answer other than “Vote!” First of all, please vote. Please vote, especially if you are currently in the US. Please do it now. If you aren’t registered or aren’t sure where to vote, go online now to find out. There is nothing more important than what we can do for our environment and our country.
Let’s assume you’ve already voted. Then it gets really interesting. Your choices will depend on who you are, but if you’re an American who wants to tackle climate change, there are seven things you can do. You may not be able to afford them all, but about 20% of Americans can easily do all of these things. That means there are 60 million people there. Taking just one or two of these steps will make a positive difference.
You can incorporate a plant-rich diet. Your spouse and children want you to make this change. Perhaps your doctor has already suggested it. There are good reasons to change. If you’re on heart or blood pressure medication, it’s because you’ve eaten too much meat and cheese in your life. Therefore, reduce your red meat intake a little. That’s great. It’s good for you and good for the planet.
You can purchase carbon offsets. Perhaps you think they’re political, but ask yourself, “Do I believe in planting trees?” Are trees good? There is no big problem in planting trees. Think about what types of trees grow naturally in your home.
If you don’t have space to plant a tree, consider purchasing an offset. It’s about donating to someone who’s doing something right in some kind of ecosystem, like signing up for green energy.
If you own a home, consider installing solar panels. Depending on where you live, repayments can take anywhere from one month to 10 years. You’ll be net neutral from day one and save a lot of money in the long run. If you’re probably renting, check out renewable energy credits and community solar programs that provide renters and homeowners with access to renewable energy.
Don’t waste food. Everyone agrees that we should waste less food. 40% of food is wasted worldwide. Imagine how much it costs to grow our food, including how much biodiversity loss and deforestation goes into the cows that go into the burgers you eat. Imagine deforestation. If you have leftover food, consider water contamination and other impacts. The damage is real, so plan your shopping to avoid producing 40% of food waste in your household. It can be reduced significantly.
Electrify your vehicle. Make sure your next car is an electric car. Yes, hybrid is a great transition technology. But let’s go electric! You can charge it at home. With these solar panels, the impact on your trip will be significantly reduced.
You’ll fly one less time each year. Flying contributes more to an individual’s carbon footprint than almost any other activity. Take one less flight, drive your car, take the train, or visit your neighbors just once a year. Just one less flight makes a big difference.
Getting involved and sharing your commitment to the environment may be the biggest change you can make. Whatever you do, let others know that you’re doing it and why. Because ultimately you have more influence than you think. No matter who you are, people will follow your lead.
Everyone please go and try it. rare.org To donate. We will utilize the support funds. restore coastal fisheries and Serving smallholder farmers in the Global South Just two of the more than 60 projects we support provide tools and resources to keep farms vibrant and productive.
