Mitigation involves reducing the levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by limiting their sources (for instance by supporting renewable energy or more efficient transport systems) or by increasing sinks (like protecting forests).
Climate change mitigation requires integrated efforts across economies, societies and ecosystems – from switching to cleaner energy sources like wind or solar power, adopting regenerative agriculture practices or protecting forest reserves – all the way up to forest preservation efforts.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Your carbon footprint refers to the total amount of heat-trapping greenhouse gases produced as you go about your daily life, such as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases you produce each year. According to the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project, in order to keep global temperatures below 2degC by 2050 each person must reduce their footprint to about 1.87 tons annually.
Switching to renewable energy sources is an excellent place to start, or take smaller steps like insulating your home, carpooling, and reducing waste. Avoid disposable products and buy secondhand. Incorporating locally produced foods while decreasing meat consumption. Also avoid single use plastics whenever possible.
If flying is unavoidable, opt for economy class where carbon emissions can be spread among multiple passengers and travel closer to home whenever possible to minimize carbon footprints.
Invest in renewable energy
Renewable energy investments are one of the best ways to support the transition away from fossil fuels. Energy production accounts for a significant share of greenhouse gas emissions globally; fossil fuels like coal and oil contribute significantly more than any other energy source to our climate change footprint.
Renewable energy investments offer you an opportunity to support the creation of innovative clean energy technologies that reduce carbon emissions and environmental costs. You can do this either directly by buying shares in companies involved with this sector, or indirectly by investing in funds which mimic an index related to green energy stocks on stock exchange.
Consider yieldcos (Energy Infrastructure Company). These businesses specialize in building renewable power generation assets and pay out high dividends to their unitholders; many also enjoy regular cashflow from government feed-in tariffs or renewable portfolio standards.
Adapt to climate change
Climate change affects people worldwide; its ripples reach into communities, businesses and ecosystems worldwide. Therefore, to combat it effectively requires an array of strategies ranging from supporting clean energy industries to policies encouraging carbon reductions and climate resilience.
Mitigation involves reducing emissions or expanding natural “sinks”, such as forests and oceans, to lower heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Even if we achieve our goals of mitigating, some changes have already “locked in”, including rising seas, more extreme weather events or drought.
Adaptation involves building systems that can adjust to changing conditions. It also involves helping vulnerable groups whose lives are being adversely impacted, including women and children, indigenous populations, migrants and people living in cities. Some adaptation measures can be very cost-effective; early warning systems for floods for instance have shown returns ten times their initial investment cost.
Get involved
People across the globe are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprints and fight climate change. From cutting back on fossil fuel usage, investing in renewable energy, or strengthening communities and ecosystems, there’s plenty we can do!
Start by exploring what drives you; some might find themselves inspired to stop eating meat, others can insulate their homes or switch to solar power and still more can work on community projects such as greening cities or creating the sharing economy.
Support campaigns that protect public lands and prevent offshore drilling to send an unmistakable message that we care about the climate and are demanding solutions from elected officials. Furthermore, we can advocate for climate justice by calling upon wealthier nations to pay their fair share in mitigating climate change – including their historical and ongoing greenhouse gas emission contributions and financial commitments for vulnerable nations.