Helping to Prevent Climate Change

It is widely agreed that humanity can help to prevent climate change through reduction of harmful 'greenhouse gases'. This can be achieved on an international, national, corporate, institutional and individual level: On looking at these categories it could be supposed that the individual is the least responsible of all of these bodies, as the individual wields less power than national and international governing bodies (for example).

Throughout the articles found on this website this notion will be challenged, giving practical advice on how you, as an individual, can help to tackle climate change and live a healthy, 'sustainable' lifestyle. This must be achieved in conjunction with institutions and communities, and as such U.N, E.U, and U.K. governing policy on sustainability and climate change will be outlined.

It must be remembered, however, that governing bodies such as the U.K. government (and devolved governing bodies) are made up of - and answerable to - individuals. Government policy will only work insofar as individuals resolve to help implement it. Where policy is conducive to a sustainable lifestyle it is imperative that the individual supports it (through, for example, recycling and choosing walking, cycling and public transport, where possible). Where policy is lacking or questionable (such as the governments decision to explore the building of new nuclear power stations) it is possible to make your dissent felt by lobbying your local M.P. and working with pressure groups to raise awareness of issues.

Leading a Sustainable Lifestyle

In order to cut fuel emissions it is necessary to make lifestyle changes that enable us to sustain a certain level of environmental well-being. This involves taking from the Earth's resources only what can be replaced, and consuming resources in such a way as to minimise the damage caused by global warming. This can be chiefly achieved by changes in personal transport, shopping and waste disposal habits. Additionally changes to the way we source energy are vital to reducing harmful carbon emissions.

Through the development of your own 'sustainable strategy' it is possible to lead a lifestyle that, through its knock effects, will contribute to a better lifestyle for successive generations. In order to develop such a strategy it is necessary to consider your current lifestyle habits and match it against the habits that you will need to foster in order to maximise the sustainability of your everyday routine. Even small steps will be beneficial; walking to work - for example - can contribute to an increased sense of well-being and desire to take further steps towards a sustainable lifestyle.