Our Impact
Heat waves that used to happen once a decade now occur almost three times as often and are 1.5°C hotter. Here’s how you can help stop global warming.
Why is it so important to fight global warming?
Global warming has vast and complex environmental impacts. As global temperature rises, extreme weather conditions like hurricanes, droughts, and heat waves become more frequent and intense, causing immediate destruction and long-term disruptions to ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Human health is also directly impacted. Heatwaves can cause heat-related illnesses and deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations. Additionally, warmer temperatures worsen air pollution, causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The profound economic consequences follow. Changes in climate conditions reduce crop yields and threaten livestock health, which can lead to higher food prices. Water scarcity further threatens agricultural productivity and the availability of clean drinking water supplies. The hundreds of millions in low-income communities most feel this financial strain because they lack the resources to adapt to changing conditions.
Current trends in the fight to reduce global warming
While there have been some positive developments, such as the slowing of greenhouse gas emissions growth from 2.1% per year (2000-2009) to 1.3% per year (2010-2019), overall global efforts to combat climate change are still far behind where they need to be.
On a more positive note, public awareness and personal commitment to combating climate change are on the rise. The People’s Climate Vote 2024 (the world’s largest survey on public opinion regarding climate change) revealed that a significant majority across 77 countries acknowledge climate change as a global emergency and support a variety of climate policies.
Young people worldwide support investments in renewable energy, conserving forests, and investing in green jobs and businesses. In highly urbanized areas, there was also strong backing for clean transportation options like electric vehicles and bicycles.
Now, it’s time to act on these beliefs. 68% of global consumers are willing to adopt sustainable habits and reduce their consumption by half to mitigate environmental damage.
Here’s what individuals can do to reduce carbon emissions to slow climate change.
15 Ways to Fight Global Warming Effectively
- Use appliances efficiently
- Use cold water to wash clothes and air-dry them when possible.
- Run dishwashers and washing machines with full loads only.
- Maintain appliances regularly to ensure they run efficiently.
- Reduce energy consumption at home
- Use energy-efficient appliances and lighting (e.g., LED bulbs).
- Insulate your home to reduce heating and cooling needs.
- Unplug electronics when not in use to save energy.
- Reduce clothing waste
- Buy second-hand or vintage clothing.
- Choose sustainable brands that use eco-friendly materials.
- Donate or recycle clothes instead of throwing them away.
- Buy green cleaning products
- Avoid products with harmful chemicals that can pollute water and air.
- Make homemade cleaning solutions using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
- Support local agriculture
- Join a community-supported sustainable agriculture (CSA) program.
- Shop at farmers’ markets.
- Grow your vegetables and herbs in a home garden.
- Efficient food storage
- Use reusable containers and wraps.
- Plan meals to avoid overbuying and waste less food.
- Store food properly to extend its shelf life.
- Make gradual dietary changes
- Choose locally sourced and organic foods.
- Minimize food waste by planning meals and using leftovers.
- Compost organic waste to reduce landfill emissions.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle
- Use reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and containers.
- Recycle paper, plastic, glass, and metals.
- Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible.
- Conserve water
- Fix leaks and use water-saving fixtures.
- Take shorter showers and turn off the tap when not in use.
- Collect rainwater for gardening and outdoor use.
- Adopt renewable energy
- Install solar panels if possible.
- Support community green projects.
- Choose utility providers that invest in renewable sources of energy.
- Make eco-friendly home improvements
- Install energy-efficient windows and doors.
- Use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes.
- Opt for sustainable building materials for renovations and new constructions.
- Implement smart landscaping
- Plant drought-resistant and native plants to reduce water usage.
- Use mulch to retain soil moisture and reduce the need for watering.
- Create a rain garden to absorb rainwater runoff.
- Make sustainable travel plans
- Opt for eco-friendly hotels and accommodations.
- Travel by train or bus instead of flying for short distances.
- Offset carbon emissions from travel by supporting reforestation projects.
- Tackle climate change with digital responsibility
- Use e-books and digital subscriptions to reduce paper use.
- Streamline cloud storage and reduce unnecessary digital data.
- Participate in local policy making
- Attend town hall meetings and advocate for green policies.
- Support governments and local leaders who prioritize climate action.
- Engage in community planning initiatives that focus on sustainability.
Climate Emergency FAQs
What are the primary causes of global warming?
Global warming is primarily attributed to carbon pollution caused by human activities. Burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for energy and transportation is the largest source of global carbon emissions, a major greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere.
Industrial processes and large-scale agricultural practices also significantly release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases like methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Deforestation, too, is particularly detrimental as it reduces the number of trees that can absorb carbon dioxide, aggravating the greenhouse effect.
What is the current status of global warming?
Things don’t look promising for the planet. Global temperatures continue to rise at unprecedented rates, as 2024 is expected to become the warmest year on record. January 2024 was the warmest in the 175-year record, with global surface temperatures significantly above the 20th-century average. The Arctic and Antarctic regions are experiencing notable changes, with Arctic sea ice extent slightly below average and Antarctic sea ice extent ranking as the fifth smallest on record.
Between 2024 and 2028, the global average temperature is expected to be 1.1°C-1.9°C higher than the levels recorded between 1850 and 1900. There is an 80% chance that at least one year in this period will surpass the 1.5°C increase above pre-industrial levels.
What role does technology play in the fight against global warming?
Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power have become more efficient and cost-effective, leading to widespread adoption and significant reductions in carbon emissions from fossil fuels. Advances in energy storage, particularly in battery technology, have also facilitated the integration of green energy into the power grid for a stable and reliable energy supply.
Smart grid technology closes the loop by optimizing energy use and distribution, reducing waste, and improving efficiency. On the other hand, carbon capture and storage (CCS) systems trap and store carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes before they reach the atmosphere.
Furthermore, adopting smart home devices like programmable thermostats, energy-efficient appliances, and LED lighting can significantly reduce home energy consumption. Electric vehicles and hybrid cars further help by decreasing transportation emissions and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
How HomeBiogas helps fight global warming
HomeBiogas waste-to-energy solutions enable communities to manage waste sustainably and enhance environmental health. HomeBiogas biodigesters convert organic waste into biogas, providing up to 6 hours of cooking fuel daily. This primarily benefits small farms and remote areas with limited or expensive conventional energy sources. Additionally, by diverting waste from pits and landfills, these systems prevent the release of methane—a potent greenhouse gas—thus further countering climate change.
Additionally, the organic fertilizer produced as a byproduct enhances soil fertility, supporting local agriculture and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers, which are energy-intensive and can harm the environment.
Final Thoughts
Individual actions can only partially substitute the large-scale impact of governmental policies and regulations. But we can push the needle in the right direction.
Individual actions could reduce global carbon emissions by 25-30% if widely adopted. We can all contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through lifestyle changes such as adopting renewable energy, buying fewer new clothes, using public transportation, and minimizing waste.
