The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

The average person’s daily choices can still make a big difference in fighting climate change – and getting governments and utilities to tackle it, too

  • Written by Tom Ptak, Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University
The average person’s daily choices can still make a big difference in fighting climate change – and getting governments and utilities to tackle it, too

The average American’s everyday interactions with energy sources are limited. They range from turning appliances on or off, to commuting, to paying utility bills.

The connections between those acts and rising global temperatures may seem distant.

However, individuals hold many keys to unlocking solutions to climate change – the biggest challenge our species currently faces – which is perhaps why the fossil fuel industry spent decades misleading and misinforming the public[1] about it.

I’m an assistant professor of geography and environmental studies[2] at Texas State University. My research[3] explores how geography affects[4] the complex relationships between societies, energy and contemporary environmental challenges. I’ve found that the human element is critical for developing creative, effective and sustainable solutions to climate challenges.

There’s a large and growing body of evidence showing that individuals can have a major impact on climate change in a number of ways. Citizen action[5] can compel utilities to increase renewable energy and governments to enact strong climate action laws. When enough individuals make changes that lower daily household energy consumption[6], huge emissions reductions can result. Consumer demand can compel businesses[7] to pursue climate and environmental sustainability.

These actions combined could bridge[8] the “emissions gap”: the significant difference[9] between the greenhouse gas emissions expected globally and how much they need to drop in the next few decades to avoid catastrophic climate change.

Climate change is outracing government action

People have worked for decades to slow climate change by altering national energy policies. Several states, for example, have renewable portfolio standards[10] for utilities that require them to increase their use of renewable energy.

But 30 years of evidence from international climate talks suggests that even when nations commit on paper to reducing emissions, they seldom achieve those cuts[11].

The United Nations climate summit in Glasgow[12] is the latest example. Researchers have found that many countries’ pledges have been developed using flawed data[13].

People are also increasingly talking about geoengineering solutions[14] for climate change. The idea is that over the coming decades, researchers will find ways to manipulate the environment[15] to absorb more carbon pollution. However, some experts argue that geoengineering could be environmentally catastrophic[16]. Also, there’s significant doubt[17] that technological “draw down” interventions can be perfected and scaled up soon enough[18] to make a difference.

So if government, technology or geoengineering aren’t good answers, what are?

Citizen action

Pledges, goals and targets for shifting from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources are only as good as the efforts by utilities and governments to reach them. Citizen participation and action[19] have proved effective at compelling decision-makers to act. For example, scholars studying the economic, political and social dynamics[20] that led five U.S. municipalities to adopt 100% renewable energy found that grassroots citizen advocacy was one of the key factors that drove the change.

According to the Sierra Club[21], through citizen-driven action, over 180 cities, more than 10 counties and eight U.S. states have made commitments to transitioning to 100% renewable energy. Consequently, over 100 million U.S residents already live in a community with a 100% renewable energy target.

Citizens have also been taking collective action at the ballot box. For example, in 2019, after New York City voters elected a more climate conscious City Council, the city enacted an ambitious emissions reduction law[22], and has since begun to enforce it. Also in 2019, after voters similarly shook up the state legislature, New York state enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act[23]. Among the nation’s strongest climate change laws[24], New York’s measure mandates that the state shift to 100% renewable energy by 2040 and that its emissions from all sources drop 40% by 2040 and 85% by 2050.

Consumer demand

How and where people spend their money can also influence corporate behavior. Companies and utilities are changing their products and production practices[25] as consumers increasingly demand that they produce ecologically sustainable products and lower their carbon footprints. Scholars have documented that consumer boycotts negatively affect the wealth[26] of a corporation’s shareholders – which in turn can create pressure for a firm to change in response.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has reported that thanks to surging consumer awareness and demand, more than 565 companies have publicly pledged to slash their carbon emissions[27]. Some of the world’s biggest brands have responded to this pressure with claims of already being powered by 100% renewable energy, including Google[28] and Apple[29].

Google put its global economic might behind climate solutions when it announced in 2019 that it would support the growth of renewable energy resources[30] by making solar and wind energy deals worth US$2 billion.

[More than 140,000 readers get one of The Conversation’s informative newsletters. Join the list today[31].]

One drawback to consumer demand-driven action is that it’s often unclear how to hold these firms accountable[32] for their promises. Recently, two impact investing experts suggested in Vox[33] that since around 137 million Americans own stock in publicly traded companies, they could use their collective power as shareholders to make sure companies follow through.

Shifting household energy behavior

A substantial body of research[34] shows that small changes to everyday behaviors can significantly reduce energy demand. This may be the biggest way individuals and families can contribute to lowering fossil fuel consumption[35] and reducing carbon emissions.

These steps include[36] weatherization and using energy-efficient appliances, as well as energy efficiency measures such as turning down thermostats, washing laundry with cold water and air-drying it rather than using a dryer.

So is shifting transportation behavior. Using public transportation, car pooling, riding a bicycle or walking can significantly reduce individual and cumulative emissions[37].

People ride bicycles across a roadway as cars wait.
Choosing to ride a bicycle, walk or take public transit rather than drive can significantly lower a person’s greenhouse gas emissions. Sean Gallup/Getty Images[38]

So since most governments aren’t acting quickly enough, and many technology and geoengineering solutions are still unproven or come with high risks, emission reduction goals won’t be achieved without incorporating additional strategies.

The evidence is clear that these strategies should include millions of average people factoring climate change into their everyday activities regarding their communities, purchases and personal energy use.

As the environmentalist Bill McKibben wrote in 2006[39] about dealing with climate change, “There are no silver bullets, only silver buckshot.”

Read more: ​7 ways to get proactive about climate change instead of feeling helpless: Lessons from a leadership expert[40]

References

  1. ^ decades misleading and misinforming the public (doi.org)
  2. ^ assistant professor of geography and environmental studies (www.geo.txstate.edu)
  3. ^ My research (scholar.google.com)
  4. ^ geography affects (doi.org)
  5. ^ Citizen action (doi.org)
  6. ^ When enough individuals make changes that lower daily household energy consumption (doi.org)
  7. ^ Consumer demand can compel businesses (www.weforum.org)
  8. ^ could bridge (doi.org)
  9. ^ significant difference (www.unep.org)
  10. ^ renewable portfolio standards (www.ncsl.org)
  11. ^ they seldom achieve those cuts (www.bbc.com)
  12. ^ climate summit in Glasgow (theconversation.com)
  13. ^ many countries’ pledges have been developed using flawed data (www.washingtonpost.com)
  14. ^ geoengineering solutions (e360.yale.edu)
  15. ^ find ways to manipulate the environment (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ could be environmentally catastrophic (www.homepages.ed.ac.uk)
  17. ^ there’s significant doubt (www.technologyreview.com)
  18. ^ be perfected and scaled up soon enough (insideclimatenews.org)
  19. ^ Citizen participation and action (doi.org)
  20. ^ scholars studying the economic, political and social dynamics (doi.org)
  21. ^ Sierra Club (www.sierraclub.org)
  22. ^ the city enacted an ambitious emissions reduction law (insideclimatenews.org)
  23. ^ Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (news.bloomberglaw.com)
  24. ^ the nation’s strongest climate change laws (www.nytimes.com)
  25. ^ Companies and utilities are changing their products and production practices (www.strategy-business.com)
  26. ^ negatively affect the wealth (doi.org)
  27. ^ more than 565 companies have publicly pledged to slash their carbon emissions (www.nrdc.org)
  28. ^ Google (cloud.google.com)
  29. ^ Apple (www.apple.com)
  30. ^ support the growth of renewable energy resources (www.theguardian.com)
  31. ^ Join the list today (memberservices.theconversation.com)
  32. ^ how to hold these firms accountable (www.nytimes.com)
  33. ^ two impact investing experts suggested in Vox (www.vox.com)
  34. ^ A substantial body of research (doi.org)
  35. ^ lowering fossil fuel consumption (doi.org)
  36. ^ These steps include (doi.org)
  37. ^ significantly reduce individual and cumulative emissions (www.sciencedirect.com)
  38. ^ Sean Gallup/Getty Images (www.gettyimages.com)
  39. ^ Bill McKibben wrote in 2006 (www.washingtonpost.com)
  40. ^ ​7 ways to get proactive about climate change instead of feeling helpless: Lessons from a leadership expert (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/the-average-persons-daily-choices-can-still-make-a-big-difference-in-fighting-climate-change-and-getting-governments-and-utilities-to-tackle-it-too-170442

The Times Features

From Classic to Contemporary: 5 Timeless Costumes for Any Party

When it comes to dressing up for a costume party, you want to choose something that is not only fun but also memorable. Whether you're attending a Halloween event, a themed gathe...

Action Figures as Art: The Growing Trend of Custom Figures and Modding

Action figures have long been regarded as collectible items, valued by enthusiasts and fans for their connection to popular culture. However, in recent years, a growing trend has...

The Ultimate Guide to Securing Grants for Your Small Business in Australia

Running a small business in Australia comes with both opportunities and challenges. While it can be rewarding, funding your business through the early stages or periods of growth...

Men’s Guide to Styling Suits with Sweaters for the Ultimate Winter Look

Winter brings a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining a sharp and stylish wardrobe. While suits are a staple of a well-dressed man’s closet, staying warm during t...

Discover the Charm of a Girl's White Dress

Key Highlights Timeless elegance: White dresses feel pure and have classic charm. They are perfect for many types of events. Versatile styles: You can pick from lace, embroid...

Top Medical Grade Red Light Therapy Devices in Australia

Key Highlights Lumitter™ has advanced red light therapy devices that combine new ideas with wellness. Red light therapy helps lower pain and swelling and boosts skin health. ...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping