It's a Climate Emergency, Shocking.
Does the word emergency even suffice?
We're taught about climate change in schools, we've seen increasing intensity in natural disasters, extinction of some extraordinary species and the radical impact deforestation is having on nearly all areas of the globe. Obviously, these signs have been ignored by world leaders and a business as usual approach has prevailed.
I've always been conscious of issues such as global warming, recycling and extinction. As a child it was always a topic that really got to me, and something I felt passionately about. You could always catch me ranting about animal cruelty, telling my friends off for using animal tested products and wanting to pet any cow I passed. Due to current events, it's safe to say I've never been so angry and riled up. I'm practically ready to fight anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Recently, I've seen a number of Tweets, Facebook and Instagram posts muttering something along the lines of 'if you're changing one thing, then you're doing great!' Well, I disagree. Sweetie, you're not amazing. Changing one small part of your everyday routine, although is a good start doesn't make nearly a large enough impact to reduce your carbon footprint.
I recently found a company called Tree Bombs, who suggest planting 101 trees will offset your yearly carbon output for the year. They provide you with the means of counteracting this for an extremely reasonable £10. It still blows my mind how people aren't talking about this? It shows that refusing a plastic straw really isn't doing it for you.
In the past year alone we've seen the devastating destruction of the Amazon Rainforest, the wildfires spreading across Australia and the first-ever loss of a glacier in Iceland. Does this sound normal? No. Will this effect you personally? Yes. Does this alarm you? It should do.
I recently went to see an audience with Simon Reeve, a famous travel documentary maker. It was a captivating evening in which he talked about the challenges and fascinating things he's seen on his journeys, yet also made time to emphasise witnessing the devastating effects of climate change first hand. He rightly suggested that using the word 'emergency' doesn't even come close to justify the real extent to which our planet has been destroyed. I've thought about that nearly everyday since, it echos in my mind whenever I see the latest news update.
Therefore, I wholeheartedly disagree that doing 'meat free Monday' or going 'plastic free' certain days will do the job. Drastic changes are the only way to even attempt to counteract the drastic damage we've unloaded onto our planet. There's no time left to sugar-coat things and stroking ego's. Doing the bare minimum doesn't warrant praise anymore.
In order to save the planet, we all need to have a complete lifestyle makeover. I feel the main reason that people aren't adopting more eco-friendly options is due to convenience, everyone wants the quickest and easiest route possible. But surely our home is worth more than a bit of extra effort, whether it be composting your food at home, not eating meat or making ethical shopping decisions.
A final note; don't be afraid to do all you can whilst being unapologetically loud about it. People are quick to make fun of the radical eco-warrior or extinction rebellion activist, but why? Why the hell should people fighting for their homes, families and literal ecosystems needed to survive be something to joke about? I personally find it bizarre and shocking that more people aren't raging about this.
Time. Is. Up.
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