{"id":7190,"date":"2022-05-03T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/?p=7190"},"modified":"2022-05-03T09:20:24","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T13:20:24","slug":"how-to-go-green-for-a-healthier-planet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/how-to-go-green-for-a-healthier-planet\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Go Green for a Healthier Planet"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>There\u2019s no denying it: this recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/science-environment-58130705\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">groundbreaking report organized by UN scientists<\/a> confirms beyond any doubt that human activity is changing our planet\u2019s climate. Although the report finds major damage being done to Earth\u2019s equilibrium, these scientists emphasize that humanity can slow rising temperatures.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To do so, we need to strike a balance of individual and collective action. Here are a few simple ways to help yourself and your community go green.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-a-difference-in-your-daily-life\">Make a difference in your daily life&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem daunting to make a personal impact on such a substantial, global problem. But even sweeping, worldwide changes are the product of many people\u2019s individual actions. There are lots of easy and effective steps you can take to be more environmentally conscious and reduce your carbon footprint, such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Buying energy-efficient appliances \u2013<\/strong> Using less energy around the home is one of the more direct ways to lessen your burden on the environment. When you use less energy, fewer harmful emissions are put into the atmosphere. Consider buying refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energystar.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Energy Star<\/a> label. An added bonus of efficient energy usage is the money you\u2019ll save on monthly bills.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Wasting less water \u2013 <\/strong>Taking shorter showers and turning off the tap while brushing your teeth are two of the simplest positive changes you can make to your daily routine. Saving water helps reduce atmospheric pollution because it takes a lot of energy for the water that reaches your home to first be collected, purified, pumped, and heated.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Eating less meat \u2013<\/strong> According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/sustainable-agriculture\/eco-farming\/eat-more-plants\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Greenpeace<\/a>, the livestock sector of our global economy generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all the world\u2019s automobiles combined. Even if you don\u2019t swear off meat altogether, developing a meat-conscious approach to your diet and incorporating more plant-based meals can benefit both your health and the environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Unplugging \u2013 <\/strong>Lots of the devices you leave plugged into your outlets are still drawing power even when they\u2019re not being used. You might be surprised to learn that a fully charged phone or a \u201cturned off\u201d TV still has an idle load on your energy consumption. The best way to make sure you aren\u2019t needlessly consuming energy is by unplugging devices whenever you aren\u2019t actively using them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Taking public transportation \u2013<\/strong> Less driving means less fuel consumption, which means less carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere. If you live in a city with quality public transportation, choose that option as often as possible. Even if you don\u2019t go totally car-less, you can make a difference by riding a bus or a train for certain trips. Plus, you\u2019ll save money on gas.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1120\" height=\"630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-1120x630.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-1120x630.jpg 1120w, https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-560x315.jpg 560w, https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/climate-activists_how-to-go-green-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1120px) 100vw, 1120px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-get-more-involved-in-community-climate-change-action\">Get more involved in community climate change action&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Educating yourself on the science and policy around greenhouse gases, pollution, and fossil fuels is the first step toward becoming a community advocate for more sustainable living. Try reading some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/shopping\/eco-friendly\/climate-change-books-n1264744\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">best books on climate change recommended by climate activists<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Share your new knowledge and learn more from fellow environmentally-conscious folks in local communities like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/Climate-Conversations-Meetup-Group\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Climate Conversations Meetup Group<\/a> in Edinburgh. With more than 220 members, this group can help you cultivate the skills to engage in more powerful everyday conversations about going green.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you begin to feel more experienced in the nuances of climate change policy, you can take more direct action by joining a group like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/Austin-Citizens-Climate-Lobby\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Citizens&#8217; Climate Lobby, Austin Chapter<\/a>. With 250 members, this is just one local chapter of a nationwide grassroots organization that lobbies Congressional representatives to support green legislation. They also organize local events to help create the political will necessary to inspire real progress.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can\u2019t find a climate change community in your area, you can easily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.meetup.com\/lp\/how-to-group-start\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">create your own Meetup group<\/a>. Lead the way for family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even people you haven\u2019t met yet to go green.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"post-excerpt\"><p>Climate change is frightening, but it\u2019s not out of our control. Help make a more sustainable world possible through simple steps.<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":7191,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Go Green for a Healthier Planet - Meetup Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Climate change is frightening, but it\u2019s not out of our control. 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