How Your Choices Can Help Fight Climate Change

In light of Earth Day, let's explore some impactful changes you can make, supported by facts and figures, and discover how online tutoring can be a sustainable choice amidst these efforts.

What Causes Climate Change

To understand how we can help, it is essential to recognise what contributes to climate change. In a nutshell: a mixture of greenhouse gas emissions from various human-made sources has accelerated damage to Earth’s ozone layer, which causes global warming through the greenhouse effect.

It’s no surprise that the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions comes from burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and petrol for energy.

This happens when we drive cars with a combustion engine or use unsustainable sources for electricity and heating our homes. Other significant factors to climate change include deforestation, agriculture, and certain industrial activities such as construction and material processing.

Deforestation reduces Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide emissions through photosynthesis, while massive-scale agriculture uses astronomical amounts of water and feed for crops and livestock which all take a lot of energy to grow, process and distribute.

Not to mention that livestock give off their own greenhouse gas emissions! 🐄💨

Not only do industrial processes and construction use a lot of energy-intensive machinery, but the creation of cement, iron, steel, and chemicals impacts air quality and damages the environment on the ground level as well as giving off harmful greenhouse gases.

Further damage to the environment and Earth’s biodiversity means its defences are weakened. We have to believe that there are always choices we can make to tip the scales back in Earth’s favour.

The Impact of Our Choices

Let's consider some eye-opening statistics:

• The transportation sector accounts for approximately 23% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions (International Energy Agency).
• Choosing plant-based meals can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 8 gigatons annually by 2050 (United Nations Environment Programme).
• Online learning and remote education can cut carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional educational models (Carbon Trust).

Image from IEA

How Can You Make a Difference?

Save Energy at Home: 

Encourage your family to use energy-efficient appliances and to turn off lights and electronics when not in use. You can also switch to using LED bulbs, which use less electricity and last a lot longer.

For parents, consider moving from gas to electric appliances for heating and cooking to be as energy efficient as possible. Working towards improving the ECPR rating of your home to reduce running costs through energy efficiency also improves a property's value!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: 

Take the lead in reducing waste at home by using reusable water bottles, lunch boxes, and shopping bags as a daily habit. Take special care when recycling certain plastics to read the labels so you do it correctly and remember large items like appliances or furniture can be picked up or dropped off to be dismantled and recycled professionally.

When your waste gets to the sorting plant and is too dirty or the wrong type, it often ends up in a landfill. It’s worth brushing up on UK recycling advice so you can be sure the effort isn’t wasted (excuse the pun!).

Food bins are also a great way to reduce the amount of emissions that come from landfill and we are getting better at repurposing this waste into renewable energy and products like fertilisers.

Encouraging your school to set up recycling programs for paper, plastic, and other materials if they haven’t already is a great way for a collection of small voices to make a huge impact.

Eat More Plant-Based Meals: 

You don't have to become vegan or give up your favourite comfort foods, but reducing the amount of meat and dairy you consume can have a really positive impact when everyone takes action. The scale of the meat industry has a huge environmental impact, just look at how much more CO2 emissions 1kg of beef takes to make (99.48kg) than 1kg of the nearest vegetable (Tomatoes - 2.09kg) in the report by Our World in Data

Try incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet - even if it’s just for 1 week per month.

With lots of sustainable substitutes available - this is one of the best ways you can directly reduce your carbon footprint while reducing the demand for the often controversial meat industry. This can also lead to a healthier diet and new food discovery - so it’s a win-win!

It’s not just meat that causes a lot of emissions, however. Coffee, Dark Chocolate, eggs, milk and cheese are some of the top vegetarian offenders. There will always be some things you are not willing to live without, and that’s fine!

Choose Sustainable Transportation: 

Walk, bike, or use public transportation whenever possible. If you need to travel by car, suggest carpooling with friends or as a family to reduce emissions.

Beyond that, we are looking as a nation to phase out new petrol cars by 2030. This sort of pressure from governments causes ripples through industry decision-makers to invest in cleaner fuels and electric cars so that they can provide a product for consumers. Even though electric power has to come from somewhere - it is far more efficient to produce at industrial power plants which can be improved to be more sustainable.

Driving and aeroplane emissions come at a huge cost to the environment due to the massive scale on which they occur. While there are not many realistic ways we can travel abroad other than flying, we can think twice about how we can carry out our more frequent trips around the UK. Travelling by train and bus, both of which are moving towards electric power, reduces the carbon footprint of every passenger to a fraction.

Support Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Products: 

Look for products labelled as eco-friendly or sustainable when buying school supplies, clothing, and personal care items like toilet paper! This includes items made from recycled materials or certified as environmentally friendly.

You can choose your household energy to be supplied by renewable sources through providers like Octopus Energy. They focus on reinvesting profits into making a NET Zero emissions economy possible. You don't have to invest in solar panels to be eco-friendly!

Even the banks you trust your money with invest in renewable energy more than others, so it is useful to check your bank to ensure you align with their motives.

Hold the Decision Makers Responsible: 

Above all, it’s important to not feel like the responsibility for action lies with just any one of us. It is too much to put the weight and fate of the world on our shoulders when life can be hard enough to get by.

The main thing we have power over is changing our daily habits, so that we may lead by example and call out any behaviour we see as unethical to the environment. It makes sense to focus on the things we have control over and make the most of the choices we have. One of those choices, always, is our right to vote and have our voice heard.

Whether through boycotting and consumer choices, activism or simply doing your research into what your council or government is doing towards a more sustainable future, collectively we have the power to drive change when we can agree on a common goal. History has told us that when the right pressure exists on a problem at the right time, real change can happen.

Together, we can make sure that climate targets and sustainable energy become a core part of society for industries to work towards. 

Explore Online Education and Tutoring: 

Opting for online tutoring is not only convenient but also helps reduce our carbon footprint. We have also discovered it to be as effective if not more! Here's how:

• No Commuting: Online tutoring eliminates the need to travel, reducing emissions from transportation.
• Energy Efficiency: Online platforms use less energy compared to physical spaces like classrooms.
• Less Paper Waste: Digital resources mean less paper usage and less impact on forests. Plus they are easier to manage!
• More Choice: Online tutors are not just limited to your postcode, you can instantly connect with the perfect tutor on the other side of a country.

Why Online Tutoring is a Smart Choice

Online tutoring can be an excellent option for students looking to improve their academic performance while also caring about the environment. Here are some reasons why:

Convenience: 

Access tutoring sessions from the comfort of your home or anywhere with an internet connection.

Flexibility: 

Schedule sessions that fit your busy lifestyle, allowing you to balance academics with other activities.

Environmental Benefits: 

Reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need to drive or travel to residences or tutoring centres. Sherpa recently estimated their positive environmental impact in their “Year in Review 2023” Report. Read more about that here.

Take Action Today!

Remember, every small change adds up to make a big difference.

By making eco-friendly choices in your daily life and considering options like online tutoring, you can be part of the solution to fight climate change. Encourage your friends and family to join you on this journey towards a greener and healthier planet.

In conclusion, we have the power to make a positive difference by adopting green habits and advocating for sustainable practices in every aspect of life.

There is power in numbers - It's important to stay informed and spread awareness about the importance of environmental conservation. By sharing what you have learned and inspiring others to take action, we can collectively work towards mitigating climate change and preserving our planet for generations to come.

Remember, it's never too late to start making a difference. Start small, but think big. Let's work towards a greener future—one choice at a time.