By: Lauren Crank

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, it’s not going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

“Famously Hot” Columbia is no stranger to the effects of climate change. It gets slightly hotter slightly earlier than normal each year, and we usually take a week-long break from school/work/football season to weather through another hurricane. The last five years have been the warmest to date in Columbia’s history, according to the National Weather Service.

It’s scary, but evidence of climate change is everywhere you look. It’s been the hottest summer on record throughout Europe. Droughts have led to devastating wildfires, like the ones that blazed through Alaska and Siberia this year. In five days from July to August, 58 billion tons of ice melted in Greenland.

All of this information is a lot to take in. But in order to ensure a future for our children and their children after them, or even just to try and make it to 2050, we have to face these realities and act now. Here are a few things that you can personally do to make an impact.

Commit to going meat free one day a week

Cattle raised for beef and dairy are the animal species most responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to about 40% of all the methane produced in one year. If 100,000 people spent just one day a week without meat, the energy and water saved could power 58 households for a year and fill 160 Olympic swimming pools.

Reduce your use of single use plastics

Single use plastics are defined by the United Nations as “items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled.” These plastics get thrown away to spend at least 1,000 years in our landfills and waterways. Think plastic shopping bags, cutlery, food wrappers, and of course, plastic straws. In your home, they’re most commonly found in your kitchen and bathroom. To reduce your use of single use plastics, consider buying bamboo toothbrushes, reusable straws, cloth grocery bags, or any one of the reusable alternatives to today’s conveniences.

Bonus: Encourage your local government to limit single use plastics. Shout out to Richland County for passing a measure to ban single use plastic bags last month! They’re the 18th county/municipality in South Carolina to vote to end the use of plastic bags.

Switch to LED lightbulbs

This solution lowers both your environmental impact and electric bill- it’s a win-win. There are no toxic elements like mercury in LED lights, which keeps them from contaminating the environment once disposed of. Spend a few more dollars now and save 75-80% of the energy. (Source: Energy.gov)

Consider alternative methods of transportation

It’s a fact ⁠— riding solo is worse for the environment than carpooling. Certain vehicles consume more fossil fuels than others. Taking a plane is more taxing on the environment than taking a boat. Not everyone may have the time or privilege to sail across the world (you go, Greta Thunberg!) to communicate their good cause, but consider making your impact by carpooling to your next outing, or buying economy class (smaller seats = smaller energy per passenger ratio) rather than business or first class plane tickets.

Speak for the trees

Challenge yourself to tell five friends that you’re trying to be better to the planet. Talk to your family about your collective carbon footprint -go to https://www.carbotax.org/ to find your carbon impact score and see if you can beat the average American’s 10 points. Get in touch with your local, state, and national representatives and encourage them to act for issues you care about. Vote! One voice is louder than none.

PSA: Text “RESIST” to 504-09 for an easy and free way to get in touch with your officials. Visit here to find out who serves your community.

Our city is a beautiful part of a beautiful planet. We can all do our part to make sure that it stays that way. All you have to do is start.

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