For an action-packed 2024!

  • Friday, 22 December 2023
  • Mancomunitat

One of the bad environmental news that the current year leaves us is that six of the nine planetary limits have been exceeded. The ozone layer, the biosphere, the climatology, the temperatures and, in general, the health of the Earth and the oceans, suffer the consequences of human action: high emissions of carbon dioxide, mountains of waste abandoned in the natural environment, microplastics in the human body and in the clouds... Unfortunately, the list of nonsense is long.

A society is defined, not only by what it creates, but by what it refuses to destroy” (John Sawhill)

Resilience will be essential to face the new climate situation , but action must also be taken. We have done it other times: the limit of the ozone layer was crossed in the 90s, but social action and the banning of many products and elements that damaged it, have reversed the situation until we have currently under control. Good news, certainly, but there is still a way to go and we must do it together.

Together means that the responsibility is shared ; however, it would not be fair to say that it should be shared equally. Industry and governments must lead the change, some decarbonizing their processes and others legislating and monitoring compliance with regulations. And citizens must have critical thinking and know their power to put pressure on them, but also act to reduce their own carbon footprint .

 

A change of habits

Any purpose requires two elements: a point of willpower to do things differently and a goal to achieve. Let’s take advantage of the injection of motivation that the beginning of the year usually brings and start taking action !

  • Bet on the circular economy. We look for alternatives to material gifts that do not last or accumulate; we opt for second-hand items or experiences.
  • Reduce the generation of waste! At parties, waste bags fill up quickly – we try not to throw away food and avoid unnecessary wrapping.
  • Stop food waste! We take advantage of leftovers from meals and leftovers in good condition, as if the whole year were Saint Stephen’s Day!
  • Plan purchases, big and small. Let’s go shopping with the list in mind. For electrical and electronic items, we compare prices, quality and warranties.
  • Choose products that are easy to repair. The ease and access to repair objects extends their life and contributes to the circular economy.
  • Improve selective collection at home. If you’re in doubt about where some waste is coming from, it’s a good time to check. Every waste, in its container!
  • Be more energy efficient. Properly insulating spaces or using more efficient electronic devices reduce energy consumption and the bill.
  • Make less use of the private vehicle. Better with public or shared transport! We save looking for parking and avoid risks on the road.

Incorporating the environmental perspective into our daily lives will make sustainable actions grow exponentially. Because when we get on the train of conscious consumption, there is no turning back—thankfully!—.