We cannot change the past but we can determine our future.
Climate change is here now. We have to take action to protect the things we love before it is too late. It starts with us. Here are 16 steps you can take that will have real impact.
Go to Count-Us-In.org to pledge to one or more of these actions. Talk about what you’re doing on social media or directly to your friends and colleagues.
1. FLY LESS
Flying is a major source of carbon pollution. Not everyone has the privilege of flying but if you do, taking a few less flights is one of the best ways of dramatically reducing your carbon footprint.
2. DRIVE ELECTRIC
Make your next car purchase an electric vehicle. The next time you’re thinking about purchasing a car, consider an all-electric one. Your purchase will significantly reduce your carbon pollution and improve local air quality.
3. INSULATE YOUR HOME
Install or enhance the loft insulation in your home. When your home has good quality loft insulation you can dramatically reduce your carbon pollution. Not only that, you’ll be warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer and save some money, too
4. GET SOME SOLAR
Install solar panels to generate energy for your home. Installing solar power to supply some or even all of the energy your home needs is one of the best ways to dramatically reduce your carbon pollution - on average around 1.5 tonnes of carbon a year. It can save you money over the long term, too.
5. TELL YOUR POLITICIANS
Ask politicians to act or invest to support our steps If we are to avoid the worst of climate change, we need our governments to do their part. You can help by letting your politicians know how you feel and pushing them to be part of the solution.
6. WALK & CYCLE MORE
Short car journeys are responsible for more carbon pollution than you might think. Other options like buses are better, but still have an impact. Replacing them with walking or cycling will cut your carbon pollution, reduce air pollution in your neighborhood and probably make you healthier and happier, too.
7. SWITCH YOUR ENERGY
Move your home to a green energy supplier. Crude oil, gas and coal all generate massive amounts of carbon pollution - often up to a quarter of a country’s total. If you’re looking to take a step with low effort and lots of impact, this is it - changing your energy supplier will transform your carbon pollution overnight.
8. GREEN YOUR MONEY
Choose financial institutions and funds that invest responsibly. Make My Money Matter is a great place to start.
9. REPAIR AND RE-USE
Next time something in your home is not working properly, why not see if you can fix it rather than throwing it away? Repairing your belongings cuts down on carbon pollution, saves you money and gives the satisfaction of the achievement, too.
10. DIAL IT DOWN
Heating your home is one of the major ways that any household creates carbon pollution. You might not even notice it, but dialing down your heating by one degree has a significant impact on your carbon pollution.
11. SPEAK UP AT WORK
Come together with colleagues to make change at a bigger scale. It’s hard to put it into numbers, but we know that getting your colleagues to get involved will be the fastest way to multiply your impact.
12. TALK TO FRIENDS
Start a conversation. Encourage friends to get involved with Count Us In and pledge to make one or more of these steps to create change.
13. EAT MORE PLANTS
Livestock is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, that’s not just because of flatulent cows. Rearing animals for meat consumption can contribute to deforestation and uses up an enormous volume of resources. Cutting meat entirely from your diet is ambitious, so start by reducing your meat and dairy consumption instead. Eliminating just one serving of beef a week for a year saves the equivalent emissions to driving 348 miles in a car.
14. EAT SEASONAL
A whopping 30% of all global greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, but food’s environmental impact doesn’t end there. ‘Food miles’ – the associated emissions that come from shipping and transporting food around the world – also add to the problem. You can help reduce this impact by buying food that’s in season, or that has been produced nearby and by supporting local food producers.
15. CUT FOOD WASTE
Reducing the amount of waste we create, especially food, means less material ends up in landfill, fewer natural resources are used, and fewer emissions are created because there’s less need for producing, transporting, recycling and disposing of those waste materials. So, the message is simple – waste less and your pocket will benefit.
16. WEAR CLOTHES TO LAST
Fast fashion has a devastating impact on the planet. The industry produces 10 per cent of all of humanity’s carbon emissions – that’s more than international flights and maritime shipping combined – while eighty-five per cent of textiles end up in landfill every year. Choosing sustainably-made clothes that last longer helps to mitigate this damage.
Can we count on you?