Climate change mitigation refers to any efforts undertaken to lower greenhouse gas emissions or increase carbon sinks, including switching to renewable energy, cutting consumption or protecting ecosystems.
Every purchase incurs an environmental cost – it takes energy to extract raw materials, manufacture goods, and transport them around the globe. Limiting consumption and purchasing secondhand items are ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.
1. Reduce your emissions
Every decision we make – from what food we buy to how we travel — has an effect on climate change. You can reduce emissions by making small changes in daily life, supporting businesses that support sustainability practices, and advocating for governments to take more decisive action on climate change.
Manufacturing and mining activities produce large amounts of greenhouse gases; however, emissions can be reduced through measures such as reduced energy use, improved efficiency and adopting regenerative farming practices.
Agriculture, forestry and land use sectors can reduce their emission potential by stopping deforestation and restoring ecosystems – this will bolster food and water security as well as climate resilience – but we must also seize this opportunity to increase renewable energy use and biofuels production.
2. Switch to renewable energy
Switching to renewable energy is one of the easiest, simplest, and most impactful ways to lower your carbon footprint and invest in yourself, the economy, and our shared future.
Globally, switching to renewables can reduce emissions, strengthen energy security and generate jobs. For developing countries in particular, innovation in renewables may break them free from fossil fuel import dependency while supporting their pursuit of sustainable development.
Governments at all levels are becoming more adept at considering climate change into development planning: building flood defenses, planning for heat waves and drought conditions, improving agricultural resilience under changing conditions – among many other initiatives.
3. Eat a plant-based diet
An efficient way to reduce carbon footprint is through eating a plant-based diet. Switching away from meat and dairy to whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, oils and whole grains significantly lowers greenhouse gas emissions while using less natural resources and minimising chemicals compared with current eating habits.
Plant-based diets not only contribute to overall wellness and environmental sustainability, they’re also known to prevent or even reverse chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease and diabetes – not to mention having positive psychological health benefits as well as tasting delicious!
Start small by going meatless one day per week; gradually incorporate more plant-based foods as you get used to being vegan. On campus you’ll find great vegetarian and vegan options at Love Buds Grill (PNR Building) and Oakberry (Manning House).
5. Recycle your waste
Reusing and recycling waste conserves energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, industrial pollution and deforestation while simultaneously decreasing mining of raw materials for recycling and decreasing landfill space. NYC currently recycles over 90% of its municipal waste; it is essential that individuals understand what can and cannot be recycled; for instance bottle caps, paperclips and straws cannot be sorted due to being too small; additionally food residue does not ruin recyclable bins but may jam up machines. You can learn more through Recycle Right NY which features the collaboration of over 100 New York State recycling professionals including SUNY-ESF’s Guillen.