There has been a consensus that, indeed, climate change is real.

And yes, climate change is due to human activities.

Humans seem to be lacking our sense of rationing on the set amount of fossil fuels. According to climate research scientists, “On current rates the rest of the budget could be used up in 30 years.”

Hello?

Don’t you think it’s time to tweak our behavior in order to stop polluting our dear Mother Nature?

Well, over a million people in 162 different countries are demanding action to prevent climate change.

On Sunday, September 21, “the largest climate march in history” took place. Around 400,000 citizens, including celebrities, children, the old and the young, walked the streets of Manhattan in search of a solution.

Obama could no longer ignore the people’s chatter of their longing for a go-green change.

At the United Nations, the topic of how to handle climate change was discussed. Obama pleaded that China reduce the enormous amount of carbon emissions, since China’s carbon wastes have significantly grown since last year.

The answer?

Nope. It’s too expensive and financially unrewarding to try anything different than they are already doing. (Maybe if the Western World tipped them a few billion dollars then they could cut back puffing toxins into the atmosphere.)

What now?

This isn’t the first time that a world-wide change is necessary to reduce greenhouse gases. There is no clear plan of action that is suddenly going to amend everyone’s lifestyles to be Earth-friendly, and re-invent the way factories produce billions of plastic toys a day without producing an obnoxious amount of garbage.

Don’t fret. You don’t have to sit on your bum anxiously waiting for big corporations and powerful leaders to make a decision.

There are tricks you can do today to be more eco-friendly, and hopefully you will impress others to follow in your footsteps.

1. Get a to-go cup.

Or, two to-go cups (one for hot beverages and the other for cold).

Never buy a plastic water bottle again! Instead, fill up your cup with water from a fountain. Take this cup to Starbucks (or wherever you buy your pumpkin spiced latte).

As long as your cup is clean, they will be more than happy to fill up your cup with any beverage, eliminating unneeded waste.

2. Bring your own bags to the grocery store.

In Europe, it is odd if you come to the store unprepared. They charge you for a plastic bag. Get in the habit of preparing for your store trips by bringing along your own bag, thus eliminating more garbage.

3. Plant a tree.

Remember how we learned that trees are good for the environment because they “breathe in” carbon dioxide and release refreshing oxygen?

Plant these glorious creatures.

4. Turn off your lights when you leave a room.

And then switch the bulbs to LED lights. It saves energy.

5. Unplug devices when you are not using them.

Actually take out your charger cord from the outlet when you are not using it.

Sound like a hassle? Well, you’d be saving energy.

6. Become a vegetarian.

Okay, okay, I am a bit biased on this one because I am a happy vegetarian.

Try going a day without meat, or maybe just a meal–whatever. You’ll indirectly save the world’s oil, water, and air. Trust me, or read this for all the details.

7. Plan ahead so you can car pool and make fewer trips in your car everyday.

I am not going to tell you to stop driving an hour to work, then an hour home everyday, but if you do, I hope your car is good on gas.

8. Recycle.

Plastic, cardboard, tin, aluminum, paper, glass, batteries, bulbs…Recycle it.

9. Reuse your old notebooks.

Use both sides of a sheet of paper. Read books using a kindle to save paper, energy and reduce waste.

~

Please don’t get discouraged, feeling as though you are not making a difference.

You are making a difference!

A lot of a little can go a long way, and at least you don’t have to have nightmares that you are contributing to the problem.

~

~

~

 

Love elephant and want to go steady?

Sign up for our (curated) daily and weekly newsletters!

Apprentice Editor: Brandie Smith/Editor: Emily Bartran

Photo: vintagedept/Flickr