Citizens could trade with 25-27% of the savings needed by 2030 to keep global warming at 1.5°C. According to a study, this goal would be achievable if the governments and residents of the rich countries of the planet put these five practices into practice.
Produced by UK researchers from the University of Leeds in collaboration with experts from global engineering firm Arup and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, the beautifully titled report ‘The Power of People’ is conveyed by the citizen climate movement ‘Take The Jump’.
“The research clearly shows that governments and the private sector have the biggest role to play, but our analysis also shows that individuals and communities can make a huge difference”underlines Tom Bailey, ambassador of the “Take The Jump” campaign.
“Our research shows that we all have an important role to play, be it politicians, city and business leaders or citizens. And it’s clear there’s a lot we can do as individuals, and that’s one of the easiest and quickest places to start.”adds Ben Smith, director of energy and climate change consulting at Arup, who led the study.
So, would you be willing to take one or more of these resolutions to take the plunge?
Eat vegetarian and grab the anti-waste folder
It is known that the production of meat and animal products is responsible for about 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. With this in mind, reducing meat consumption is a crucial issue in the fight against global warming.
According to the report, it would be possible to combine the fight against food waste with the adoption of a predominantly plant-based diet “12% of the total savings needed by countries in North America and Europe to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement” (ie reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030).
Limit air travel
We know that the airplane is the most polluting mode of transport. It would even be 45 times more polluting than the train, according to the Ecological Transition Bureau (Ademe). With this in mind, the report recommends reducing (as far as possible) leisure flights to one short-haul flight every three years and one long-haul flight every eight years.
So-called “leisure” air travel is increasingly being questioned in our daily practice, especially among young people. According to a recent Greenpeace survey, 53% of young people say they don’t want to fly just for fun.
Buy a maximum of three new clothes per year
Clothing rental, second-hand, virtual clothing. Eco-responsible fashion is changing. And the solutions to get out of the fast-fashion industry are more and more numerous. “If we reduce the number of new new garments to a target of three, a maximum of eight, it would provide 6% of the total savings needed”says the study.
Say goodbye to your personal vehicle (or not buy a new one)
A money pit this car that you take out of the garage three times a year, but that still costs you its weight in gold in the insurance? If you live in a city that’s well served by public transportation or if your colleagues and/or friends are ready to go on a carpool adventure with you, now might be the time to start.
“For those who can, reducing car ownership and, if possible, going without personal vehicles would achieve 2% of the total savings needed by 2030”says the study.
Keep your electronic devices for at least seven years
Does the new iPhone SE 5G make your mouth water? We understand you. Difficult, at a time when technology doesn’t slow down progress, to ask you to keep your smartphone, the generation of which is no longer even for sale and will most likely make you pass for a boomer. What if you compensate in these cases by trying as much as possible to extend the life of your other appliances (refrigerator, microwave, tablets, computers, etc.)?
By optimizing the life of electronic and household appliances, by preserving them for at least seven years, it would be possible to achieve 3% of the total savings needed for the initial target, the study assures.
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