2 Unique Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

The greatest threat to humanity today is not terrorism. It isn't world war too. Climate change is.

"Climate change is real. It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating." ~ Leonardo Di Caprio

Yes, the changes in the environment imposed by human activities are threatening our sustenance on this planet. Not only humans but nature is struggling too. Today, the "food produce" quality is not as good as it was twenty-thirty years ago. The fruits have lost their natural sweetness, while veggies seem to have lost their nutrients, according to a scientific study here.

That doesn't mean we must look for other alternatives for survival on Mars or Moon. It's completely impractical and imprudence to waste the resources in seeking life there.

Let me ask you one question.

If your home is cluttered with junk, do you buy a new home or fix your existing one?

In Holy Scriptures, hymns and prayers have glorified the earth as mother and have praised other elements of nature like air, fire, and water for their relentless service. This fact indicates that our ancestors also respected nature and took only what was needed for their survival.

But then, what happened? 

What caused a discord? 

Why has this pure relationship become so toxic that humans slaughtered mother nature so ruthlessly?

The Real Cause of Climate Change

Whether you're spiritual or not, you would agree with me that people in ancient times were more spiritual than now. Back then, people believed in a higher power that ruled the universe. So, they lived in harmony with each other because they're scared to face Almighty's rage.

Even if we consider our ancestors to be God-fearing people, we can't deny the fact that there was a perfect balance between humans and nature then. People followed some rules. They had some integrity that forced them to respect everyone, including nature.

Peace, purity, and generosity flourished in everyone's minds. As a result, harmony between man and nature was maintained. But as time progressed, advancement in technology poisoned human minds. They began to consider themselves superior.

Material inclinations began to corrupt human minds forcing them to work according to vices. Greed began to prosper. Everyone wanted to acquire more and more. Instead of giving, the man started to hoard more and more for himself. In this elusive quest to establish supremacy over one another, humans began to loot each other's territory.

Soon, it led to wars. Humans fought ferocious battles where they slaughtered each other like mosquitoes. Nature also became the victim of man's greed. Deforestation became a regular practice to build big palaces beside the riverbanks. Also, industrialization provided the motive and means for the plunder of the earth for profit. The mercenary appropriation of the resources and unchecked pollution destroyed the ecological balance.

I believe:

"Climate change that we're experiencing is only the manifestation of a change in the climate of human minds."~ Darshak Rana

What We're Focusing on

Whenever we talk about climate change, the first thing that everyone talks about or advise are:

• Plant more trees.
• Reduce plastic usage.
• Use more green fuel.
• Reduce pollution, blah..blah..blah!

But do we look at our actions?

If we observe our lifestyle, we would know that we're doing more harm, despite following the above practices.

• Driving to the nearby grocery store instead of walking.
• Using an elevator even to go on the second floor.
• Buying electronic products without need.
• Idling the car for a long time.

Well, these are just tiny practices inviting disastrous results. Don't we know that "little drops only make a mighty ocean?"

These are obvious and evident behavior affecting the climate. Well, let's not talk about what everyone knows or follows.

Let's talk about something deeper. Let's try to address something else that would indirectly reduce the carbon footprint.

I. Eradicate the Concept of Nuclear Families

You might be thinking I have lost it. But let me correlate the concept of the nuclear family with climate change.

Today we're not planting more trees. That's a fact. Even if we're growing, that isn't sufficient enough to reduce the carbon footprint. There's even a research study published on the BBC website that says that planting trees doesn't always help with climate change. Maintaining the forest does.

Surprisingly, reforestation and preservation of existing forests could remove three billion to 18 billion tonnes of CO2 per year, according to a study here. That's a significant number.

But why are we not able to maintain the green patch on earth?

• Because we're busy building homes.
• Because we need more shelter.

But why do we need more homes? 

Why do we need to stretch our legs out of the blanket?

The obvious answer is overpopulation. I say that's an excuse.

In ancient times, 10–20 people lived under one roof. Happily. They lived in harmony, accepting and adjusting to each other. But as time progressed, our tolerance for accepting people reduced less and less. We shifted towards smaller family systems. The number of family members in one house reduced from 10–20 to a meager 6 –7. Nowadays, we have become so weak owing to our ego that we can't even manage to live with our 1–2 persons in the same house.

There lies the cause for climate change.

Since we have shifted from traditional blended family culture towards the nuclear family concept, the need for housing has sky-rocketed. Fewer the people in a home, the greater the need for accommodation. To meet that demand, we're chopping forests.

Our ego (not allowing us to adjust with our family) and greed (wanting to live in a mansion) have left only 31% of green land on this planet, according to the "Food And Agriculture Organization of the United States."

If we learn to adjust to living with our family and agree to live under one roof, we would subtly contribute towards a better world. This change will also not only help us clean nature but strengthen our relationships too.

II. Deal With Your Temptation To "Phone Upgrades" Every Year

Upgrading our phones has become more of a want than a need. These days, we're replacing our electronic devices only to keep up with the latest trend. And pressing this nerve, the electronic companies are making huge profits at the expense of nature.

Did you know: The iPhone manufacture cost is only $490 against their selling price of $1449?

According to a UN report here, we dumped a whopping 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste globally last year?

These statistics are scary and a warning sign at the same time.

We don't think about the planet's damage while making plans for a new iPhone/smartphone. Do we?

After all, what's new about an iPhone/an Android Phone every year. Hardly anything. If we ask ourselves how many functions we actually use on our phones, we will curb that temptation.

According to an online survey, we use smartphones primarily for:

So, does this justify our upgrade every year?

After all, any smartphone can perform these functions. If we realize our responsibility towards our planet, we would be able to see beyond our temptations.

Parting Thoughts

These changes are so simple that anyone can implement them in their lives. Instead of making big plans and talking about climate change on the world stage, let's adopt achievable ways.

Not only the leaders, or politicians, or environment activists - but everyone is responsible for cleaning the planet. It's our home, and our every thought and action counts, no matter how big or small.

I am going to leave you with a quote from Dr. Jane Goodall, an English primatologist:

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."

This story was originally published here.