In the midst of the present global issue, that is the ongoing climate crisis. The Late and Beautiful Majesty Queen Elizabeth II once reminded us of a profound truth: "It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change." This statement encapsulates a spectacular and powerful message that is relevant to our individual efforts to tackle the climate crisis of the world. While grand initiatives and ambitious policies are undoubtedly crucial, it is the cumulative impact of everyday actions taken by individuals that can significantly contribute to combating the climate change. Therefore, examining the small steps that each of us can take becomes paramount in this collective venture. …show more content…
However, throughout history, we have witnessed the transformative power of taking small yet deliberate steps towards environmental sustainability. By cultivating a shared ethos of stewardship and responsibility for the planet, the ethos of sustainability can be woven into the fabric of our daily lives, empowering everyone to contribute positively to the well-being of our environment. These modest and easily attainable actions are not only accessible to all, but also serve as building blocks for a more harmonious and eco-conscious way of living that resonates with the interconnected nature of our world. By embracing these steps as part of our routines, each of us has the potential to play a pivotal role in safeguarding the health and vitality of our planet for generations to …show more content…
Mitigating these detrimental effects requires a collective effort, starting with individual actions aimed at reducing transportation-related carbon footprints. It can be done by opting for sustainable modes of travel like public transportation, cycling, or walking, which not only lessens one's environmental impact but also promotes a healthier, greener lifestyle. Additionally, carpooling and utilizing ride-sharing services present effective solutions by decreasing the number of vehicles on the roads, thereby curbing emissions at scale. Embracing fuel-efficient vehicles or making the transition to electric cars can deliver substantial benefits by substantially cutting down emissions and fostering improved air quality for current and future
By and large, the automobile is the only way most Americans travel. Without getting into the details of problems with public transportation, people simply do not consider other options to personal transportation. This becomes especially significant when one considers that cars are the single largest emitter of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The U.S. produces nearly 24% of the world’s CO2 emissions, a third of which comes from gasoline combustion in cars 4,5. Many scientists cite rising oil consumption as the leading cause...
Pollution is a major problem for all of us. People need to recognize this situation so we can start making a difference to this problem. In order to start making a difference, the federal government should increase gasoline tax by one dollar a gallon. Fifty percent of this dollar will go towards public transportation, since passenger cars and trucks are a major contribution towards air pollution, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, E.P.A (10/4, http://www.epa.gov/autoemissions/emsns.html). Due to the expected increase after this is put forth, the remaining fifty percent of the dollar will go towards safety on these transits. When public transportation increases, air pollution will decrease, which will lessen the harmful health risks towards the environment.
The entire world contributes to the carbon emissions but there are ways we can use less gases to help decrease the amount we use. One way is carpooling. Carpooling can help decrease the amount of carbon emissions we make by having less cars on the road to make carbon emissions. Carpooling also saves you money. Other ways are using alternative fuel sources. Some alternative fuel sources are biodiesel, ethanol, hydrogen etc. There are also cars that use other things like electricity or less fuel. These can be cheaper than just petroleum and less harmful to the environment. “HEVs [hybrid electric vehicle] typically achieve better fuel economy and have lower fuel costs than similar conventional vehicles. For example, the 2016 Honda Civic Hybrid has an EPA combined city-and-highway fuel economy estimate of 45 miles per gallon, while the estimate for the conventional 2015 Civic (four cylinder, automatic) is 35 miles per gallon” afdc. In this day and age we are getting better at carbon emissions and fuel usage but we have a long way to go to achieve almost no carbon emissions, if that will ever
In his essay “Why Bother?” Michael Pollan issues a call for individual efforts as seemingly miniscule as planting a backyard garden to fight the global climate change crisis, positing that those small individual changes in lifestyle can swell not only into a wave of change worldwide but also reconnect people to their identities as consumers, producers, and citizens. Authors Seth Wynes and Kimberly Nicholas, in their academic article “The Climate Mitigation Gap: Education and Government Recommendations Miss the Most Effective Individual Actions,” agree that such lifestyle changes are crucial but point to more high-impact changes such as having one fewer child or eschewing airplane travel. Such changes may be difficult for older generations set
The old Native American proverb that states, “We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” really makes me think about my lifestyle and how it is benefiting the Earth. Being sustainable not only means to take care of the planet for my generation but also for future generations. It is my job to care for the planet as best as I can and to help pass on these good habits to my children. The best ways that I can help my environment are composting uneaten food and old vegetables, donating or reusing old clothes, and recycling plastic and paper products.
There are a number of measures that have already been shown to have a positive effect on the environment and, if we redouble our efforts, could help to reverse the situation. I believe that, while it is true that there is a lot of negative news to this situation, there are many positive and effective actions that can be taken to restore a lot of what we have lost, or are in danger of losing. Consequently, a number of feasible measures can be implemented which will go a long way in slowing, stopping and, over time, reversing some of the harm caused. Initially, and perhaps the most important, is that we need to tackle the problem of carbons in our atmosphere. Consequently, if CO2 emissions are cut or drastically reduced, this will in turn help to reduce the level of greenhouse gases meaning that further global warming will diminish. (Climate Change Evidence and causes, 2013:33) This can be done in a number of ways. By continuing to develop new, greener technologies, cars and traffic in general will become cleaner, emitting fewer exhaust fumes and releasing less carbon into the air. This is already being done. At the recent UN climate-change conference in Doha, some 37 countries agreed to abide by legally-binding emission reduction measures. (Figureres C, 2012) We have seen the development of more efficient engines and hybrid models that use both petrol and electricity. Electric-only vehicles are also becoming more popular and new designs that are powered by solar energy are coming onto the market. Industry is also looking at ways to harness bio-mass and the possibility of hydrogen engines. These measures have already had a noticeable effect on the quality of life in a number of
Every one of us can make his own contribution to make a difference. Steps could be taken at home, at the office, on the road and anywhere else to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas and any risks made to the climate as much as possible. By taking these steps, you would not only be helping the climate but they can also save you money and improve your health, for example decreasing the use of your car for short distances and instead going by foot. One can also take part in any programmes that are offered on a local or state level to support energy efficiency, or take part in clean energy programs or other climate programmes.
Discuss the concept of sustainability. What ethical principles are parts of a sustainable lifestyle? Why should we consider sustainability as a guiding principle of our environmental philosophy?
Sustainability has extended to our field; people have begun to understand the importance and necessity to introduce this practice into their life. All of this not
Today, people use their own personal vehicles to travel more than ever before. Personal transportation is no longer considered a luxury; it is now considered a necessity. The number of cars in the United States has been growing steadily since the 1970s. The number of miles traveled by cars has risen nearly 150 percent, yet the United States population has only grown roughly 40 percent during that time (hybridcars.com, Driving Trends). Although it may seem like we are advancing into the future, in reality, we are moving backwards from the effects these vehicles have on our bodies and the environment. The pollution produced by these vehicles has brought us to the day where we must find other modes of transportation that cause less harm to the world in which we live. Advances in technology have developed hybrid vehicles to try and slow down the amount of pollution. Driving a hybrid vehicle, instead of a conventional gas powered vehicle, can reduce the amount of pollution that affects our lives and the environment around us.
People have to start off understanding what environmental sustainability means. Allie Sibole author of, The Ethics of Sustainability: Why Should We Care?, shares a perfect example, “Sustainability is a moral response to an incredible gift” (Sibole 1). What she explains is, our planet is the beloved gift. People need to not take
...empts at doing our part. But what is really needed is change at national and global levels. Only by convincing leaders to create laws that improve our energy policy, and pushing companies to adopt sustainable business practices on a global level, can we see real change. (EDF - Environmental Defense Fund , 2015) We need laws, polices, and infringes…..etc. whatever it takes in order to get our CO2 emissions under control. There are plenty of ways to improve on the current state of global warming like limiting global warming pollution, utilizing renewable energy, drive smarter vehicles, or even drive less. However small the action any change in our normal day to day can still help tremendously especially when done by a large number of people. We have to remember that this is the only planet we have and global warming is a global issue that needs to be taken seriously.
Carpooling system qualifies the GHG outflow diminishments from people driving to work by using a carpooling program. Carpooling programs can possibly lessen GHG outflows from the carbon serious routine of lone drives. On the off chance that carpooling systems are connected and took after legitimately and expanded by 30 percent then this increment will decrease yearly fuel utilization around 240 million liters. Accordingly consequently brings about diminished Emissions from the
There is no doubt that human activity is having a significant impact on our environment. These environmental impacts include depleting our natural resources, air and water pollution, climate change, destruction of habitats, and loss of biodiversity. Because of these growing concerns, we need to learn how to live sustainably. Living sustainably will allow us to conserve our limited resources more wisely so they will be available for future generations (Withgott & Brennan, 2011, Chapter 1).
Since the invention of the automobile, we have been able to decrease transportation costs, travel vast distances and decrease travel times. We are able to facilitate relationships, foster trade between places, and find better jobs. However, due to the inaccurate pricing of the roads, driving cars has turned from an innovation to pure frustration. The problem is traffic congestion; the increased usage of cars has created slower speeds and longer travel times due to greater demand for the road than the road has to offer. Roughly 3.4 million Americans endure extreme commutes, in which the trip to work and back eats up at least three hours each day (Balaker, Staley 2006).