Climate variability in different parts of the world has been well proven. The degree of climate risks differs in different ecosystems. Ecosystem services are affected by climate risks. People are becoming aware more and more about the causes of climate variability. However, the key question is – are people really conscious about climate risks? Should we (research community) make people more aware about the climate risks? If so, what are the ways?
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https://en.unesco.org/greencitizens/stories/raising-awareness-climate-change-and-risks
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http://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/analysis-of-a-119-country-survey-predicts-global-climate-change-awareness/
The degree of climate risks and its nature differs in different ecosystems. Since these risks are different, their impacts also vary from one landscape to other. We should take into account all these components to understand climate risks and the absorption capability of that particular landscape considering the land management practices of the community. Therefore, an attempt should be made focusing on community-specific multi-climate risks model at the landscape level. Simultaneously, awareness programs (to enhance the absorption and adaptation capacity of the local community) should be taken which will further be helping for boosting climate (risks) resilience policy implementation.
MAKE IT FEEL PERSONAL, URGENT, AND LOCAL
For most people, climate change still seems like a fairly abstract problem–something that’s happening far away, to polar bears or remote Pacific Islanders, or something that won’t really happen until the distant future. The ubiquitous charts showing the rise of carbon emissions only make it seem more abstract. But people naturally downplay distant problems, or those that haven’t affected their immediate social circle (if a friend is in a car crash, you’ll suddenly have an immediate and emotional connection to your own risk of crashing, even if it hasn’t changed).
BE POSITIVE
The usual story on climate is based around apocalyptic doom, and while the facts might justify that, it makes people stop listening. People instinctively avoid stories about loss–whether that’s the loss of endangered species, or the loss of everyday behaviors like eating meat or flying. They don’t want to hear about carbon taxes. Attempts at making people feel guilty tend to backfire, and just make them feel helpless or despairing.
GIVE PEOPLE A WAY TO TAKE VISIBLE, CONSISTENT ACTION
In a sense, anyone who isn’t acting on climate is probably in a little bit of denial. It’s easy to rationalize non-action: What difference does it really make if one person decides to drive or not to recycle? But if we don’t take simple everyday actions, it might also mean that we’re less likely to support broader climate policy. Stoknes talks about the problem of cognitive dissonance–if you’re not acting green, you tend to automatically adjust your beliefs to justify your behavior.
REDUCE POLARIZATION
In the 1990s, climate wasn’t seen only as a liberal issue (and if anything could bring us together, why wouldn’t it be the survival of our species and planet?). But the divide grew. Now, whether people accept climate science has more to do with identity than anything to do with the science itself. People look to their friends or experts with the same worldview for what to believe, and then they seek out the news that supports that belief. The solution this suggests: If you want to convince someone in a particular group to take action, you need to find a member of that group to share the message.
USE THE POWER OF SOCIAL NETWORKS.
Peer pressure is a powerful thing. In a classic study, researchers tested putting a sign in a hotel room that said 75% of guests in that room had reused their towels. Reuse rose dramatically–even though a similar sign, asking people to reuse their towels to save water, had little effect. Humans want to be like those around us.
Switch off anything that uses electricity when not in use. If you're not using it, turn it off. This goes for lights, televisions, computers, printers, and so on.
Unplug devices when possible. Leaving devices plugged in, such as laptop chargers or toasters, can use "phantom" energy. Even when an appliance is turned off, it may still use power because the applications on the electronics will constantly use electricity.[1] It is best to unplug anything that you do not anticipate using in the next 36 hours (or more).
Trade in your dryer for a good old-fashioned clothesline. Air drying leaves your clothes smelling fresh and is environmentally friendly. Tumble dryers are among the biggest energy users in most households, after the refrigerator and air conditioner. If you do use a dryer, make sure to keep the vent clear, for safety as well as efficiency.
Run your air conditioner sparingly or not at all. Air conditioners use a great deal of electricity. Use natural ventilation or a fan to keep cool, as much as possible.
Close the heating and air conditioning vents in your home. If you are not using certain rooms in your house, close the vents in these rooms, and close the doors. Doing this consistently will reduce the amount of energy squandered by heating or cooling seldom occupied spaces.
Don't use electronic exercise machines. Instead of using exercise equipment, use a real bicycle (or a unicycle), or walk to get to nearby destinations or for pleasure. Calisthenics, push-ups, and other bodyweight exercises work, as well.
Use a warm blanket or sweater in winter. Bundle yourself up and lower your thermostat by a few degrees. Aim to set your thermostat at 68°F (20 °C) in the winter, perhaps even lower at night. Every degree above this will generate about 6-8% additional energy output
Conserve water. The average family of four in the U.S. uses about 400 gallons (1,514 L) of water every day.[3] Make conscious choices to lower your consumption of water.
Recycle all you can. If you have curbside recycling, use it. Be sure to separate your recycling into glass, metal, paper and so on.
Avoid using disposable items. Anything you use only a few times and throw away consumes resources only to spend centuries in a landfill.
Use only as much toilet paper as you need. Don't unwind a mile of it for one little wipe. Be reasonable. Go easy on the paper towels, too, and use a washable cloth or sponge for most of your kitchen cleanup.
Consider using cloth diapers. Cloth diapers have come a long way from the things with pins and plastic covers. You will save a fortune (especially if you have more than one child), keep potentially dangerous chemicals away from your baby's skin, and do a good thing for the planet while you're at it.
Stop your junk mail from coming. If you get several catalogs which you do not need, call and ask them to stop sending them to you.
Be a mindful consumer. Ask yourself how your purchases are impacting other people and the natural environment.
Eat less meat and dairy. Meat and dairy production is highly resource-intensive and inefficient. Attempting vegetarianism or veganism is definitely one of the best things you can do for the environment and also for your health.[4]
Don’t drink coffee from K-cups. K-cups, or the mini pods of ground coffee for Keurig coffee makers, are single use and typically thrown out (although they can be recycled if users disassemble them into paper, plastic, and metal). Billions of mini cups of ground coffee were sold in 2014, and the number of cups that ended up in landfills could circle the earth 12 times.[5] Brew coffee in a regular coffee pot or French press instead.
Buy local food. Transporting food from far-off locations takes a toll on the environment, as it must be shipped in trucks, by rail or by ship, all of which produce pollutants. Buying food that is sourced locally will help eliminate or reduce transportation impacts.[6]
Avoid excess packaging. Oftentimes, food companies expend just as much energy creating the packaging for food products as is expended in producing the actual food. Try not to buy food that is individually wrapped or buy in bulk.
Don't waste food. Plan your meals so that you don’t cook more than you will eat. Store your leftovers and use them up at your next meal. If you do have an overrun of food, such as after a party, share it with friends.
Use reusable bottles for water. Most tap water in developed countries is safe to drink, which means that buying bottled water is unnecessary. Buy a glass or metal bottle and fill it with water.
Walk or bike for local trips. Walk or ride a bicycle when your destination is close to home. Short trips are generally the hardest on your car and on the environment, so swap out your car for your feet or bike.
Organize a carpool for work or school. Coordinate with another person or two to carpool to work or work with other parents in the neighborhood to carpool kids to school.
Take mass transit. If you live in an area that has a bus, light rail, or subway system, consider taking this option to get to work, school or other destinations. Reducing car trips in favor of mass transit trips reduces congestion on roads and reduces the amount of gasoline that is used.
Plan out your errands and combine trips. Make errand trips more efficient by planning out where you will go and hitting all your stops in one trip. Group outings into fewer, longer trips, and plan them out so that you’re not driving the same path multiple times.
Telecommute or work from home, if your job permits you to do so. One day per week reduces your commute transportation by 20%.
Drive a hybrid or all-electric car. If you have been looking for a new vehicle, consider buying a hybrid car. Hybrid cars run on both gasoline and electric motors. [9]There's a growing selection of both hybrid and all-electric cars on the market. They not only give off less emissions into the air, but they also can save you money with fewer trips to the gas station.
Maintain your car. If you do have a car, keep it in good repair by changing the oil and air filter on schedule, repairing fluid leaks promptly, keeping the tires properly inflated.
Take fewer airplane flights. Whether for work or vacation, lower the number of flights you take. Airplanes emit vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other polluting materials, which increases annually due to increased numbers of flights around the world. Do your part by taking fewer flights.
Live near work, school, and other frequent destinations, if possible.Otherwise, try to live near transit or bicycle routes. If you are choosing a residence, consider transportation options as part of the process.
Install skylights and solar tubes. Skylights and solar tubes are installed in your ceiling and are designed to let in more light. This will reduce the electricity you need to light your house. Some types can even convert sunlight into electricity.
Switch to compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs. Compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs do cost more, but they also last longer than conventional light bulbs. They also use only one-quarter of the energy.
Seal all air infiltration points and leaks. Locate places where air can seep into or out of your house. These might be around doors and windows, around flues and chimneys, around recessed lights, among other places. Use caulking for thin gaps, and insulation or polyurethane foam for larger gaps.[13]
Install insulation in your attic and exterior walls. A good layer of insulation can be a relatively low-cost way to improve both the comfort and efficiency of your home.
Check for leaks. If your faucets drip, get them fixed, or, if you can't fix it right away, at least put a container under the dripping faucet and use the water elsewhere, such as in your garden to water plants.
Install window treatments that maximize energy conservation. Choose curtains or blinds that keep your house cool in summer and warm in winter. For example, heavy curtains in a colder climate will help keep warm air in at night.
Plant barrier trees to protect your house from wind and sun. Deciduous trees provide shade in the summer, yet allow warming rays to enter your house during the colder months. Evergreens provide a wind break from prevailing winds.
Maintain your appliances, and choose energy-efficient appliances if you are purchasing new ones.
Install low-flow toilets. A low-flow toilet can save many gallons of water per year, both preserving the environment and lowering your water bill.
Install solar panels on your roof. Solar panels convert sunlight to electricity and are dropping in price (some estimates put solar panel installation at about $10,000). A home utility bill can drop by 20% with the use of converted solar energy.
Choose the smallest home which will comfortably house your family and your belongings (and consider cutting down on unneeded belongings). You'll save on the physical and financial resources needed to build and maintain the access area, and you'll cut down on heating and cooling costs.
Plant a garden. Create a garden plot with vegetables, fruits, and/or herbs.
Make your yard-friendly to wildlife. Modern developments encroach upon natural habitats and pose risks to wildlife. Take some steps to make your yard friendlier to wildlife.
Reduce the area of lawn. Grass areas usually require more frequent maintenance with lawn mowers, weed eaters, and other gas- or electric-powered tools. Convert some of your lawn to garden or native plants, which will also attract wildlife
Avoid pesticides, herbicides, and man-made chemical fertilizers. Pesticides kill hundreds of birds and other animals per year. If you have unwanted weeds, pull or hoe them out yourself, clip them down, or plant a ground cover in their place.
Plant a tree. Add a tree to your yard. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen, and they also improve area water quality and help make the ground more fertile for other plants.
Make a compost area. Designate an area in your yard to put your yard waste, fruit peels, and uneaten food. Find some worms who can break the waste down and produce a very rich soil that works great with your landscaping. Keep your compost heap as far from all water sources as possible.
Use a rake instead of a leaf blower. Ditch your noisy electric- or gas-powered leaf blower and use a rake to gather up leaves or other debris in your yard.
Buy secondhand clothes and other items. Visit thrift stores and consignment shops to find secondhand clothes and other items.
Donate or share usable household items. Instead of throwing away items, consider giving them away. Donate usable clothes and household items to charity. Many organizations will send a truck for pickup.
Upcycle. Turn useless junk into something fun and cute, or fresh and funky. Make jewelry, household accessories, and restyled clothing from things you already own. Look around wikiHow to find tons of articles about how to make different things.
Buy or make a few reusable fabric bags. Bring them with you whenever you go shopping. Many communities have banned stores from giving out plastic bags, but even if your community still allows them, move to using reusable bags instead.
Contact your government officials. Call or email your representatives and local officials. Ask them to support environmental conservation and renewable energy.
Participate in rallies. Most cities hold rallies to raise awareness of environmental issues. To be effective, these demonstrations need lots of people. Attend a rally in your community. Make signs to carry during the demonstration to convey your message.
Join an environmental organization. Choose an organization that focuses on an aspect of the environment, such as Greenpeace, the Sierra Club or the Environmental Defense Fund, and become a member
Write a letter to the editor. Use the news media to highlight environmental issues. Write a letter to the editor about fossil fuels or endangered animals. This can help start a dialogue in your community about a particular environmental issue.
Donate to an environmental cause. Choose an organization working on an environmental issue. Donate money to this organization. Many organizations have different giving levels, from very small amounts to large amounts. Choose to give monthly or annually.
Volunteer your time. Pick up litter, educate others, fix bikes, start a repair cafe, plant trees, observe birds and animal populations. There are many ways you can create and promote a better environment by volunteering.
- Don’t use polybags. Even though they can be found easily, they are not eco-friendly.
- Turn off your vehicle when you are going to stop at any place for more than 10 seconds.
- Follow the three R strategies:
1. Reduce 2. Re-use 3. Recycle.
What are the major climate risks in Southeast Asia? What probable measures can be taken to reduce those risks?
We should respect our existence on Earth and try to minimize the Foot Print as much as we can in all the steps of our life.
Yes, thats right - we need to reduce or optimize our footprint (carbon, water and energy) for minimizing the risks. But, my question was - what are the ways?