In the context of the human-induced accelerating process of global warming, the increasing scale of environmental degradation, the extinction of many species of flora and fauna, the decline in the biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems, people are increasingly asking themselves: where do you think each of us can start in terms of protecting the climate, nature and biodiversity of the planet?
A key premise for formulating such questions is the adage that a drop beats a rock. Often, when we wonder whether to choose a bicycle instead of an internal combustion car as a means of transportation in a situation of driving to a nearby store, the answer appears that, after all, with this one gesture, this action performed only by us in a situation where many other people, including neighbors, friends, etc. do not do it, we ourselves will not save the climate and the biosphere. But, after all, this is what many people think. And each individual, if this thinking would change and replace the car with a bicycle then one drop will turn into thousands and then into millions of drops, into rain, into a river and large-scale changes will be realized. The same applies, for example, to the issue of segregating waste, to the use of pesticides in the home garden, to the creation of a flower meadow instead of mowing the lawn, to changing consumption habits to more prudent and sustainable ones, on the reuse of used products and recyclables in the sharing economy, etc. Of course, green financial subsidies, regulatory change are key instruments to motivate this kind of change, to systemically address the issue of smoothly carrying out the green transformation of the economy to build a sustainable, zero-carbon, green closed-loop economy. However, the adage that a drop drills the scale is valid. In this regard, it is particularly important to change the consciousness and mentality of individual people individually and, at the same time, of many people in society.
In view of the above, I address the following question to the esteemed community of scientists and researchers:
In the context of the human-induced accelerating process of global warming, the increasing scale of environmental degradation, the extinction of many species of flora and fauna, the decline in the biodiversity of the planet's natural ecosystems, people are increasingly asking themselves: what do you think each of us can start with in terms of protecting the climate, nature and biodiversity of the planet?
Where do you think each of us can start in terms of protecting the climate, nature and biodiversity of the planet?
And what is your opinion about it?
What is your opinion on this topic?
Please answer,
I invite you all to join the discussion,
Thank you very much,
Warm regards,
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Protecting the planet's climate, nature, and biodiversity is a collective effort that requires action from individuals, communities, governments, and businesses.
Here are some practical steps each of us can take to contribute to these crucial causes:
Remember, no action is too small. Every positive step towards protecting the planet's climate, nature, and biodiversity collectively makes a significant impact. By leading by example and inspiring others, you can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Taking action to protect the planet's climate, nature, and biodiversity crucially involves reducing our carbon footprint, adopting a plant-based diet, supporting sustainable products, recycling, tree-planting, advocating for policy changes, educating others, participating in community projects, and reducing plastic usage. Together, these efforts create a positive impact on the environment and ensure a sustainable future I .
- Where do you think each of us can start when it comes to protecting the planet's climate, nature and biodiversity?
- Here and Now is where we all start- Awareness- being informed. It is vital to know that it is humanity(human activity) that brought about the current status of the planet's climate, nature, and biodiversity.
- This generation is the first to know this destructive contribution by humanity in the wake of the consequences(Climate change), inevitably, it is this very generation that should do something to start reversing the cumulative destructive effects in light of this knowledge
- Humans have to reduce waste- a zero waste status would be ideal where waste in one stage becomes input in another production level hence ensuring a complete circular economy- Zero waste state
- Reduce overconsumption and eat sustainably - this will also be beneficial health-wise and will help reduce health bills and resources could be channeled to other sustainable development projects
- Reduce greed in pursuing excessive profits as businesses, to the point food donation is considered a reduction in anticipated profits and over-production aided by the use of inorganic and detrimental agrochemicals
- Prioritize; first things first - food is vital for life and sustainably it should be considered first in resource allocation
- May Humanity be good and responsible stewards of the planet Earth for the good of both as intended by the Creator of all creation
Climate, nature, and biodiversity are linked together in the biosphere. Global warming effects everything. It is a long-term problem that humans will be dealing with for hundreds of years or more. There is no quick fix or any one thing an individual can do. It will take a commitment over the course of one’s life.
E. O. Wilson in his 2012 book The Social Conquest of the Earth says: “If global changes caused by HIPPO (Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Pollution, overPopulation, and Overharvesting, in that order of importance) are not abated, half the species of plants and animals could be extinct or at least among the “living dead”—about to become extinct—by the end of the century.” We can now add human-induced climate change to this list as the first and most important.
One would also be well-advised to consider Jared Diamond’s thinking in his 2005 book Collapse:
If you want to make a difference, then plan to commit yourself to a consistent policy of actions over the duration of your lifetime.
Stop eating meat. We feed animals with food that is fit for human consumption and by eating the animal only 10% of all energy is passed on. Increasingly larger land area is needed for food production, diversity suffers, forests disappear and water runs out. Eating meat is not a lifeline for anyone, but its effects on the environment are extremely serious. There is no single way to save the planet that works better than to stop eating meat.
I welcome everyone!
We can introduce new technologies! Our own and help those who seem useful to us! For example FREENERGY (article oxygen) . Or a project in Serbia, Ivan Spasojevic:
https://www.tiempo.com/ram/los-cientificos-crean-un-arbol-liquido.html
I think that in the situation we are, there´s only a way to save the world: the return to an era without plastic, fossil fuels, and more and more education of children with the propose of reduce pollution. It is a work for all the people and governs.
Reduce single-use and promote the reuse economy and refilling - tips at https://internationalwasteplatform.org/campaign-materials-2/
Researchers, anglers, and activists worry about the large amount of PFAS in freshwater fish that people eat...
According to a recent study, eating a single serving of freshwater fish can be the equivalent of drinking water contaminated with high levels of PFAS for a month...
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is one of a group of related chemicals known as perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS). These are also called perfluorochemicals (PFCs). This group of chemicals is commonly used in a wide range of industrial processes and is found in many consumer products...
https://undark.org/2023/12/12/pfas-freshwater-fish/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935122024926?via%3Dihub#tbl2
I often refer to Jared Diamond's 2005 book, Collapse, How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, PenguinBooks, New York, 575 pages. He suggests the following things one can do if one wants to make a difference. He suggests committing oneself to a consistent policy of actions over the duration of your lifetime.
1. Vote. (Think of Florida in 2000 U.S. presidential election.)
2. Consider what you buy or don’t buy.
3. Draw public attention to company policies and products.
4. Talk to other people who vote and buy stuff.
5. If religious, further multiply power by developing support within church, synagogue, or mosque.
6. Invest time and effort in improving your own environment. Set an example for others to follow here and abroad.
7. Donate discretionary money [and time] to an organization promoting policies of your choice.
Climate as crisis
"This history of climate-based advertising puts into stark relief the challenges faced by California and Florida in the era of climate crisis.
Today, both confront recurring natural disasters that are exacerbated by human-caused climate change: wildfires in California, hurricanes and flooding in Florida, and increasingly dangerous heat in both.
Extensive home-building in wildfire and coastal zones has compounded these risks, with insurance companies now refusing coverage for properties at risk of fires or storm damage, or making it prohibitively expensive.
Once marketed successfully as the United States’ two semitropical paradises, Southern California and Florida now share disturbing climate-influenced futures.
These futures bring into question how historic visions of economic growth and the sun-kissed good life that California and Florida have promised can be reconciled with climates that are no longer always genial or sustainable..."
https://insights.cermacademy.com/440-california-and-florida-lead-the-country-in-climate-change-risks-henry-knight-lozano-ph-d/
On climate crisis and insurance
"The insurance industry should evolve beyond traditional monetary compensation and actively encourage regenerative practices through the integration of crew consciousness. What if a collaboration of public and private actors joined the insurance industry in promoting and delivering climate literacy through the lens of crew consciousness? By adopting this approach, the industry could contribute to the collective effort in combating climate change and protect the well-being of people and nature.
The insurance industry needs to make drastic changes in order to meet the challenges of our climate crisis. It needs to engineer and promote climate resilience practices. Here are some ideas:
https://insights.cermacademy.com/444-insurance-industry-must-evolve-to-meet-growing-risks-of-our-climate-crisis-bob-leonard/
“Motherhood has politicized me around planetary crises including pollution, biodiversity loss, war, and the climate emergency — quite simply because I want our kids to live.” - Writer Emily Raboteau reviews two books — Soil by Camille Dungy and The Quickening by Elizabeth Rush — that argue for the ‘maternal’ values of care and community as key to combating the climate crisis...
https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/02/22/a-new-environmental-canon-soil-camille-dungy/
Scientists’ Warning on the Problem with Overpopulation and Living Systems
"A biological system can be defined as a collection of interacting elements, organised together with a common function(s). This framework can provide valuable insights into the problematic interactions between humanity and the rest of life on earth. Life is composed of a nested hierarchy of systems, united into a vastly complex, global system of ecosystems, the biosystem. The function of the biosystem and its components is the sustainable reproduction and evolution of life. Humans have many of their own systems, including a global, commercially oriented system of corporations and social structures, which we term the corposystem. A major aim of the corposystem is endless growth for profit, which depends on endless human population growth: not sustainable on a finite planet. These two global systems are clearly in direct conflict. To preserve the biosystem, including humanity, we must align the corposystem ethic with the reality of the biosystem’s needs..."
https://www.whp-journals.co.uk/JPS/article/view/997
I avoid using a fossil fuel car for unimportant reasons. That is where I have started and shared with my students.
Then I go to visit my son in the USA and the highways are "flooded" with cars, trucks, etc. The people love to travel for no reason at all!
Obviously, we need more education at schools. We need to have young children educating their parents!
Some of you may start with proper voting!
Climate in the year of elections
"Voters in five of the world’s biggest carbon-emitting territories are going to the polls this year — the United States, India, Indonesia, Russia and the European Union. The results could determine whether humanity can correct its trajectory of dangerous global warming. Nature explores how the policies and personalities in these regions could play out..."
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00642-3
There’s Little Science Behind ‘No Mow May’
"If something as simple as not mowing for a month doesn’t do much for biodiversity, then what lawn-care practices — from tearing up sod entirely to planting lush wildflower meadows — are supported by data and research? "
https://undark.org/2024/05/13/little-science-behind-no-mow-may/
Can Beef Be ‘Low Carbon’? The USDA Thinks So.
"The Department of Agriculture rubber-stamped Tyson’s beef as “climate friendly,” but no one has seen the data behind the company’s claim. As millions of taxpayer dollars flow to livestock companies claiming to raise “low carbon” beef, watchdog groups scrutinize the government’s oversight..."
https://undark.org/2024/05/22/beef-climate-friendly-usda/