Various ways to save the Earth

IN THE PAST years, country leaders, global companies, and private organizations are seen joining hands to usher food security, transportation, and energy away from the traditional economy flow to a more circular motion. However favorable and impactful the results, research shows that these collaborations alone are still not enough to combat the climate crisis.

According to Kathleen Rogers, Earth Day Network president, “We must collectively act now.” While leaders can be at the forefront of the change, individuals around the world have tremendous power in instigating improvement through being mindful of daily actions towards the environment.

In time with the Earth Day, the world is uniting behind the theme “Invest In Our Planet,” putting the spotlight towards shifting to a more sustainable way of living to save the environment.

Global institutions like National Geographic Society and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) continuously promote simple things anyone can do to help save the planet such as cutting down on what to throw away, following the three “R’s” (reduce, reuse, and recycle) to accommodate shrinking landfill spaces, conserving water, shopping wisely with reusable bag, and using of long-lasting light bulbs.

In addition to these steps, WWF also urges young people to keep being informed, use their voices, and speak up in social media about how saving the Earth is a responsibility of everyone.

The National Geographic also calls on the youth to become habitat heroes through volunteering for cleanup drives, tree-planting activities, and environmental teaching in communities.

However, as environmental problems grow bigger, the United Nations Foundation crafted a new gameplan for countries to become climate ready and achieve a future-proof environment.

According to the foundation, investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency can curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, make energy more accessible other than using carbon-intensive energy sources, improve the poor air quality brought by the burning fossil fuels, and preserve the millions of people who may die each year due to toxic smoke inhalation.

Investing in clean transportation comes in the second spot as many developing countries are now building bike-friendly roads to reduce carbon emissions brought about by cars. Two billion bikes are being used around the world, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF), and the number could rise to five billion by 2050.

Like the energy sector, today’s transportation is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels, producing one-fourth of the world’s GHG emissions. With alternative clean transportation, UN believes that it can also enhance access to education, health care, and economic opportunity by providing more sustainable, accessible ways for people to get to and from their destinations.

Agriculture and food production also hold promising solutions to climate change, the foundation points out. Use of conventional plowing as it harnesses the soil’s natural ability to store carbon, developing solar-powered irrigation, hydroponic growing, and meat alternatives are other innovations UN mentioned that could transform how communities can grow food and lead to a more sustainable way of managing land and water.

UN Foundation Senior Advisor for Ocean and Climate Susan Ruffo persuaded leaders to invest in research and development of nature-based solutions found in the world’s seawaters for nature-based remedies can also be found in the ocean.

Aside from investing in the nature itself, UN also highlights how investing on people and peace can drive the planet away from catastrophe.

Because of indigenous communities’ cultural, social, and physical connection to the environment, climate change is threatening their very existence. Public discourse and policy decisions on climate change should include their unique perspectives and traditional knowledge of land stewardship.

Across the globe, girls and women depend more on natural resources, according to the UN. This makes them uniquely vulnerable to climate change. But as the primary stewards of their households and communities, they are also effective agents of change and defenders of the environment.

Finally, war doesn’t only cost human lives and cause widespread hunger, poverty, and suffering. The environment is the “silent victim of a violent conflict.” By investing in peace and diplomacy, future generations can be spared from further rage and protect the planet at the same time. —

Almonte