It is the final Saturday of March and as such, we celebrate Earth Hour The event originated in Sydney, Australia 14 years ago with the simple ask that everyone around the globe turn their lights off for one hour; in an effort to raise awareness about climate change. For years we have heard the warnings from scientists around the world in regards to the effects global warming, rising sea levels, melting ice caps and mass extinction has on our Earth. However, apparently we and our lawmakers have not heard the warning cry.
With Netflix’s Seaspiracy, and more episodes from Seeker’s WildCrime fresh in our minds, concern about our oceans, forests and wildlife are undoubtedly (hopefully) growing. We are learning more and more about the negative effects that we as humans have had on our planet and if we don’t actually try to make a change in our own lives rather than relying on lawmakers and scientists, then we may just see the end of the world sooner rather than later.
According to Statista.com, the Earth saw 36.44 billion metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2019. In 2020, that was reduced to 34.07 billion due to the impact of COVID-19 and stay-at-home orders; but now that we’re all gearing up to go back to work and travel more frequently, that number will surely rise once again. The more C02 that gets emitted, the hotter the earth gets and the hotter Earth gets, the more the sea expands and rises and that runs the risk of endangering human and even more animal lives and its promising to lead to mass extinction.
The above statistic is only one of a million more that - when you actually take the time to look into it - will frighten you and (hopefully) provoke you to make a change. Here are five things you can start doing everyday if you are willing to make a change and help save our home:
1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle: seriously, recycle everything. From brown paper bags to plastic bottles. Limit how much you use and reuse what little you do use.
2. “Planet-Based Diets”: According to The World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF), eating “planet-based diets” can help improve the health of the planet and your own and it can reduce Wildlife loss by 46 per cent. Going Planet based doesn’t mean giving up meat entirely. Just less meat. Eat more vegetables and fruits and don’t eat meat every day.
3. Save Energy: Walk more, drive less. Invest in sustainable energy, if you can. Install LED lights into your home. Turn your water off when you’re brushing your teeth, shaving and take shorter showers.
4. Adopt a minimalist lifestyle: Reduce how much you consume.
5. Vote: Seriously. Vote for the leaders, in your country and even in your school, who will actually try to take a stand and make a change when it comes to reducing the effects climate change has on our Planet.
To find out more about how you can take more action beyond Earth Hour, visit: earthhour.org and worldwildlife.org for more information.
And remember: Lights out tonight from 8:30 - 9:30 EST.
Happy Earth Hour!