It is easy to attach an “eco-friendly” or “green” label to a product, even if the only thing recyclable in it is the packaging. This act is called greenwashing and it occurs when companies or organisations falsely present themselves as environmentally friendly or sustainable, often through misleading or deceptive marketing tactics, while their actual practices and impact on the environment remain harmful or unchanged. With many making bold claims about eco-friendly goods, consumers or business owners who want to be part of a sustainable supply chain must research the sustainable customs of entities they want to do business with. How do they do that? Here are five ways to spot environmentally conscious companies from those that aren’t. 

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1. Outline Your Sustainability Standards

Sustainability is no new concept, but the adoption of it is for most businesses. As a result, many companies have yet to fully make their operations sustainable. One reason for this is that in most countries, adopting sustainable practices is not mandatory.

Ideally, you would find a partner that matches your commitment to a sustainable environment, but this is not always feasible. Carefully map out a checklist, asking yourself these questions as a reference in crafting your sustainability barometers: 

• Does the company source sustainable raw materials? 
• Does it create waste during manufacturing?
• Does it have waste management or recycling programmes? 
• Does it use clean energy? 
• Does it track its greenhouse emissions and have strategies to curb them? 

When setting a standard for sustainability, tone down your expectations and provide wiggle room for considerations. One supplier could be sourcing materials locally but use fossil fuels to process them and simply buy renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset it. It is like having a grocery list but buying alternatives when ingredients are missing. A checklist can save time and quickly eliminate suppliers or manufacturers that do not meet certain sustainability standards. 

2. Ask Your Burning Questions

Your list of questions offers potential partners an opportunity to expound on their commitments to protect the environment. Hearing more helps you determine which answers are deal-breakers, allowing you to whittle down the companies you want to associate yourself or your organisation with. Here are some example questions to guide you in this part: 

• Does your company have specific sustainability metrics and objectives? 
• How does it measure or track the environmental impact of the entire process? 
• Does it set reduction goals? 
• How does it show transparency in its sustainability policies? 

It is best to organise your queries into a prequalification questionnaire for documentation. Asking these questions through email, virtual interviews or other channels can feel uncomfortable. However, doing so will connect you with the most sustainable partners and help you achieve your environmental aims.

3. Look for Sustainability Credentials

Organisations with environmental consciousness at their forefront actively participate in sustainable programmes, allowing them to secure certifications they can attach to their brands. 

One example is Energy Star, which honours organisations with outstanding contributions to the planet. Companies like Andersen Corp., Burton Energy Group, and Consumers Energy are recipients of Partner of the Year environmental labels for their exceptional efforts in protecting the Earth and creating products and services that provide real solutions to climate change. 

Using this as a baseline, look for sustainability certification in your supplier or manufacturer. Such labels from reputable organisations or agencies are proof that the company you are looking at has solid and genuine sustainable practices in place.

4. Check for a Certified Environmental Management System

An environmental management system (EMS) encompasses the rules, plans and practices summarising how an organisation interacts with the environment. Companies must have EMS frameworks to use as guidelines in implementing and tracking environmental performances. 

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international body that creates these worldwide standards. The latest revision to the EMS is ISO 14001:2015. A company that passes the evaluation for EMS has an eco-friendly track record and is diligent in managing its impact. It also means it is less likely to be found liable for any environmental negligence. 

Not all organisations have an EMS, but you can do business confidently in companies that have one. It is good to have a vote of confidence from the ISO. 

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5. Research for Compliance With Environmental Legislation

Although organisations self-impose sustainability, governments often have environmental laws that, if broken, will lead to legal consequences. The US, for example, has several laws in place, including the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is in charge of handling any violations,such as heavy smoke emissions, materials dumped into a maintenance hole, or coloured discharges on the ground. 

Ensure that a business you are interested in partnering with has not been prosecuted for breaking environmental laws. A brief online search with the company’s name may bring up past results for sanctioned offences. Alternatively, you can contact your local environmental agency to inquire about the company.

6. Assess Their Social Responsibility Policy

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to an entity’s commitment to conduct business ethically, considering the social, economic and cultural impact alongside environmental consequences. It is closely related to sustainability in that improving workplace diversity can lead to inclusive leaders with higher cultural intelligence able to manage and implement better green policies and strategies. 

CSR’s bottom line is “people, planet and profit,” meaning entrepreneurs can and should grow their businesses without harming the Earth or exploiting their employees. You can directly ask the entity what programmes it has to make a difference in its community and the world. A socially responsible entity takes actionable steps to help society and the environment. 

Grow Your Business With Sustainable Partners

Many organisations are choosing sustainability over profits. Such a move has influenced consumer decisions, with many wanting to buy products from sustainable suppliers or manufacturers. 

Many who do not understand sustainability in action readily claim they sell ethical products. That’s why you must double-check which brands are truly eco-friendly. Take steps to find companies that share the goal of protecting the environment.

Featured image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash

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As climate changes and global food security deteriorate, entomophagy will become an essential practice. Crickets provide high nutritional content and have a low environmental impact, which makes them great allies in the fight against climate change.

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The practice of entomophagy – humans eating insects for nutrition – has increased in popularity across the globe in recent years. Insect consumption is highest in tropical countries, where warmer climates help insects thrive, as well as in countries that face food scarcity. 

In the Western world, insect consumption has always been intended for animal feed, though the trend is slowly picking up among humans, too. Currently, meat consumption is highest in the Western world and has increased from an average 62 kilograms (kg) per capita to 96kg per capita in just half a century. The increase in meat consumption rates has severe environmental impacts, adding to the pressure to find sustainable food alternatives.

Among all insects, interest has picked up particularly for crickets due to their high nutritional content, minimal environmental impact, and ability to provide food security.

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Nutritional Content

Crickets are rich in macronutrients (i.e., protein, fat, carbohydrates) and micronutrients (i.e., vitamins and minerals). Protein from crickets has been reported to be as high as 62 to 71 grams per 100 grams of dry weight versus animal livestock at 27 grams per 100 grams of dry weight.

In addition to the high protein content, crickets are also high in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K and minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese, and copper. 

These macro- and micronutrients provide essential nourishment to humans. 

Environmental Impact

Crickets have a low environmental impact due to the lower methane emission generation compared to cattle, small land footprint, and high food conversion rate. Compared to cattle, crickets produce 80% less methane, a potent greenhouse gas that has more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after it reaches the atmosphere.

More about methane: The Importance of Addressing Planet-Warming Methane Emissions in the Energy Sector

Additionally, crickets and other insects eat organic waste, which helps reduce the overall amount of greenhouse emissions that would have occurred if the waste would have rotten naturally. 

Cricket farms have a significantly smaller land footprint than animal livestock farms. For instance, a farm of 700 crickets can live in a 70-litre container compared to one cow that needs approximately one acre (0.4 hectares) to graze. If demand for cricket farms increased and demand for livestock grazelands decreased, there could be land opportunities to convert degraded grazelands into vegetated areas.

Crickets also have a high food conversion rate, meaning they need “six times less feed than cattle, four times less than sheep, and twice less than pigs and broiler chickens to produce the same amount of protein,” according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In addition to their high conversion rate they also have a short lifespan and high reproduction rate. The lifespan of a cricket is 60 to 70 days, during which the insect transforms from egg to nymph and then adult. During this lifespan, one female cricket can produce anywhere between 200 to 1,500 eggs. The short lifespan and high production rate make these insects an ideal food source for maintaining global food security.

The Time Has Come

The small land footprint, high nutritional value, and quick lifecycle make this insect a desirable food source that can help combat growing global food insecurity. While it might take a while before people around the world, and especially in Western countries, start adding insects to their diet, the need to find more sustainable food sources has never been so urgent.

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Which topics from school do you remember most vividly? For many people, hands-on lessons like dissecting frogs and building batteries stand out – rather than lecturing their students, teachers let them put your knowledge to the test. This made school more enjoyable and helped you retain concepts. STEM education integrates science, technology, engineering, and maths to teach students how to solve real-world challenges. Few sectors face more sustainability issues than transportation but students who learn STEM will be better equipped to solve them. Here is why.

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What Is STEM-Based Education?

STEM is a discipline that combines Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into a single subject. It teaches students how to approach problems from any of the four disciplines by creating fun and interactive lessons that integrate these topics. 

STEM is hands-on and problem-focused – students participate directly in the learning process rather than just listening to lectures. STEM students become empowered and confident critical thinkers by solving real-world challenges. They learn to observe and manipulate the world around them within and outside the classroom.

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Getting More Students Into STEM

The world faces increasingly complex sustainability challenges, and giving all students the chance to earn a STEM degree is more important than ever. Although the STEM job market is expanding, a gender gap has become apparent, with girls in many countries avoiding these degrees or performing worse than boys on the same topics. 

This is not a result of biology. It is about how different cultures socialise and educate children – and how this affects their perception of the world. How can we encourage more girls to participate in STEM?

It is important to start preparing girls for STEM early on. Strong elementary school maths programmes help girls develop confidence at a young age. Female science, maths, technology, and engineering teachers give girls positive role models to learn from. Importantly, when students show an interest in STEM, parents and educators should encourage them to pursue the topic.

Recruiting more girls to earn STEM degrees will be crucial for meeting the world’s growing sustainability needs, especially as the global shipping network expands. 

Environmental Challenges in Shipping

The worldwide movement of goods has changed most people’s lives for the better. Before the advent of refrigeration, the only fresh foods people could access came from local farms. Today, you can order food, clothes, and even medicine from around the world right to your door. In many cases, orders arrive the same day they are placed, an astonishing feat made possible by logistics and GPS technology improvements. 

While the staggering increase in goods transportation offers many benefits, the transportation sector is also responsible for a major uptick in carbon dioxide emissions and air pollution. Collectively, ground-based freight vehicles and international cargo ships account for 35% of the sector’s carbon footprint and the industry emits over 7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. 

Creating a greener shipping industry will require a collaborative effort from the world’s best and brightest minds. Chemists must discover new, low-carbon fuels. Engineers must design better electric batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. It will take strong leaders and policymakers to implement these changes and educate the public about them. Who better to turn to than today’s STEM students?

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4 Reasons Why STEM Education Is Important

Why are STEM students the future of sustainable transportation?

1. Job Opportunities

STEM students graduate with skills that translate to more advanced jobs, such as engineering and research roles. In the US, STEM-based positions pay $53,310 more than the median wage of non-STEM occupations annually, giving people a better quality of life. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment in the STEM sector will grow by 10.8% from 2022 to 2032.

2. Literacy

Students who earn STEM degrees are more scientifically literate. They can read journal articles with ease, understand biases in data, and translate complicated topics into discourses anyone can understand. A thorough understanding of the scientific method is crucial for working in chemistry, biology, and physics, all of which can improve the shipping industry.

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3. Creative Thinking

Another reason STEM education is so critical is that graduates are innovative. Creative thinkers can brainstorm solutions to issues like improving cargo trucks’ battery life or building better scrubbers for ship exhaust pipes. They can design more efficient vehicles with lower environmental impacts for transporting goods.

4. Improved Teamwork

Participating in group projects throughout school also develops STEM students’ teamwork skills, making them better at collaborating with co-workers as adults. It’s an especially important ability to have in fields like research and development, where people often work together to solve complex problems. 

The Road to a Greener World

Reducing the freight industry’s carbon footprint will require changes in policy, vehicle design, and even shipping routes. Overhauling the transportation sector is a massive undertaking, but it is necessary for the planet’s health. Cultivating and supporting a love of science, technology, engineering, and maths will help today’s STEM students become tomorrow’s leaders in sustainability.

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In the heart of Hong Kong’s vibrant cityscape, where towering skyscrapers and bustling shopping streets define the daily rhythm of life, materialism and consumerism trends have become a norm. Our consumption choices have come at a huge cost to the environment and human society, contributing to climate change and other related environmental issues such as landfill waste and unprecedented levels of greenhouse gas emission. According to Greenpeace, Hongkongers discarded 110,000 tonnes of textiles to landfills in 2014, the equivalent of approximately 1,400 t-shirts per minute. Did you know that it takes over 20,000 litres of water to produce one kilogramme of cotton, which is equivalent to one t-shirt and one pair of jeans? In this article, we look at minimalism as a potential solution to alleviate the environmental burden arising from consumerism and as a way to encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices.

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The Minimalist Lifestyle

The central philosophy of minimalism underlines the concept of “less is more.” In other words, being a “minimalist” means possessing fewer items, living a simpler life while having minimal impacts on the environment. Though the original concept of minimalism dates back to the ancient Greek idea of simple living and avoiding excessive material wealth that causes unnecessary waste, the modern minimalist lifestyle that we come to know about has its roots in the 20th century, emerging from artists like Donald Judd and Dan Flavin. 

More importantly, books like The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo, Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Sasaki, and Danshari: Shin Katazukejutsu by Yamashita popularised this philosophy. The three kanji characters “断捨離” can be read as  “Dan-sha-ri” and translate to refusal, disposal, and separation, respectively. This concept encourages individuals to shed old habits, reduce the desire for new items, eliminate attachments, and prioritise personal needs. According to an article published in The Japan Times (2011), this term gained popularity in Japan in 2010 and has since spread globally. An article published in the Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment (2023) argues the aforementioned social movements have laid the groundwork for minimalism, which has evolved into the minimalist lifestyle we know today.

Nowadays, minimalism refers to a lifestyle that prioritises the quality of life while emphasising environmental sustainability. For example, a minimalist practices careful consideration, avoids overconsumption and waste of resources from purchasing to disposal decisions. This way of life values sustainable living, often with the goal of conserving the Earth and eliminating unnecessary waste in society. This simplified way of living can help an individual achieve a sense of tranquillity and take up environmentally friendly initiatives. 

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Hong Kong Consumerism and Its Environmental Impact

Hong Kong is battling with several pressing environmental issues, from outdoor air pollution and plastic pollution to landfill waste and biodiversity loss. In recent years, the government has implemented a number of environmental regulatory frameworks to tackle these aggravating problems, including the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO), Water Pollution Control Ordinance (WPCO), Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO), and Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRS), and in 2021 has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. 

On a global level, in 2015, United Nations member states launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 17 goals that focus on improvement and longevity, from ending poverty to tackling climate change. However, according to a 2019 report by the UN Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP), Asia and the Pacific will not achieve any of these goals by 2030. 

“If there are environmental policies, why is it not enough to mitigate the climate crisis?” one might ponder. The answers lie in these data. 

Air Pollution

A paper published in the National Library of Medicine (2020) ranked “air pollution” as the fourth major risk factor for global disease and mortality, with a recent study suggesting that South Asia, home to four of the five most polluted countries in the world, accounts for more than half of the total life years lost globally due to air pollution. In this part of the world, experts estimate that polluted air cuts life expectancy by about five years. 

Meanwhile, another paper estimated that 12% of global deaths in 2019 was linked to outdoor and household air pollution. This goes to show that air pollution is not only a public health hazard but also a global threat that can have severe repercussions on human health and the environment. The public and the government must do more to address environmental issues.

More on the topic: Less Than 1% of Global Land Area Has Safe Air Pollution Levels: Study

In Hong Kong, air pollution is among the most pressing environmental issues. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) shows that areas such as Causeway Bay, Central, and Mong Kok, all exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines. 

According to a 2020 report by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the major types of chemicals released into the air were carbon monoxide, followed by nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, and the major pollution sources were road transport, navigation and public electricity. In 2022, the total number of private cars registered in Hong Kong was 649,540, a significant increase of almost 32,000 from 2018, though it decreased from 2021 by nearly 7,500. 

Waste

Hong Kong has made headlines for its frenetic consumerism culture; the territory ranks high in 10 of 12 indicators signifying excessive materialistic possessions and an unhealthy dependence on shopping. As much glitz and glamour as fast fashion portrays, its environmental impact has been significant. 

According to the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Principal Economist Louis Chan (2022), the global fashion industry releases as much as 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year, while the global value of discarded clothing has reached US$460 billion a year, of which only 13% can be recycled. This demonstrates that consumerism can be associated with poor waste disposal. 

A 2021 report by the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department indicates that the total disposed quantity of solid waste in that year was 5.67 million tonnes, an average of 15,533 tonnes every day and an increase of 5.4% compared to 2020. Municipal waste consisting of domestic, commercial & industrial, construction and special wastes are disposed of at landfills, which hold properties toxic for humans and the environment.

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The Minimalism Edge: Streamline Your Life for Maximum Joy

Hong Kong resident and minimalist Nicole Ng told Earth.Org that she is mindful when shopping and chooses quality products even though sometimes it means paying a little extra. 

“Quality shopping is unquestionably the key to more sustainable, durable, and multifunctional products,” she said. 

As a plant enthusiast, she often purchases second-hand plants on platforms like Carousell, Instagram Shop, and Facebook Marketplace, and puts her own plants for sale as she believes it is a more environmentally friendly practice. 

“I came across a video on minimalism by Marie Kondo on Youtube as a university student,” she said when asked what influenced her to get into this lifestyle. “I realised it is much easier to adopt a minimalist lifestyle than I had expected after doing some research.” 

Now, Nicole embraces minimalism by decluttering her wardrobe and kitchenware on a seasonal basis. She said starting this lifestyle has improved her mental and physical health, besides increasing her awareness of the environmental impacts of consumerism, adding that having a clear mindset and setting goals help motivate her to stay on track and develop long-lasting habits.

Minimalism: A Sustainable and Healthy Choice

Minimalism encourages individuals to declutter their life by either donating or recycling responsibly. Being mindful about our own consumption habits can make us more conscious about material possessions and force us to buy less as well as to choose quality over quantity. It also encourages consumers to make environmentally conscious decisions, forcing them to ask themselves questions such as “Do I really need this?” and “What are the long-term benefits and environmental impacts of my consumption choices?” 

Pursuing a minimalist lifestyle helps lowering one’s carbon footprint, with benefits not just on an individual level but also on the surrounding environment.

Individuals who adopt a minimalist lifestyle are more likely to live a healthier lifestyle, improving their mental and physical health. A 2021 study carried out in the US found that minimalists feel fulfilled and respected while less likely to experience a feeling of depression. 

Another 2023 research conducted among 525 participants in China revealed that minimalism improves personal well-being in developing countries. Excessive possession, according to the study, does not lead to greater happiness but rather to increased stress and anxiety. 

While officially classified as a developing country, in recent decades, China has experienced the benefits of rapid economic growth. As ordinary Chinese people’s living circumstances improve, so does their need for high-quality goods. For instance, during the eight-day “Golden Week”, also known as the National Day or the October Holiday – a week-long holiday that takes place annually – the domestic tourism revenue reached 753.4 billion yuan (US$103 billion), up 1.5% from the comparable level in 2019. This is a great illustration of ordinary Chinese people’s ravenous appetite for shopping and consumption and how this is often directly linked to increased standard of living. 

Nonetheless, the study also stated that with economic progress and a declining birth rate, China may soon witness increasing acceptance of minimalism, as observed in several developed countries. 

In addition, reduced purchases save money on items that add no value to one’s life. In other words, consumers who adopt minimalism limit their spending and build up savings, which helps them achieve long-term goals that translate into more fulfilment and happiness. Hence, one aspect of minimalism is attaining financial well-being due to spending less, which leads to avoiding unnecessary debt and enhanced savings. Moreover, a 2023 finding in Pakistan shows that there is a positive relation between minimalism and financial well-being.

Criticism

Some critics claim that the minimalist lifestyle promotes new types of consumption, a desire to purchase multi-functional, energy-saving or wanting to renovate a home that resembles the typical minimal space. 

A 2016 article published in the New York Times Magazine explains that “minimalism is now synonymous with self-optimization, a trend that has also given rise to fitness devices and Soylent. This optimisation, which is frequently driven by technology, is costly and exclusively branded by and for the elite.” 

The author criticises the fact that a minimalist lifestyle will pressurise people to be obsessed over what to declutter and how many items one should own, raising concerns over the consequences of minimalism, such as what would happen if minimalists discarded too many goods at once. The article depicts the movement as arrogant and a trend for privileged people, arguing that being a minimalist requires social capital, a safety net, and access to the internet, something that not everyone possesses.

Final Thoughts

While these are valid concerns, it is undeniable that the minimalist lifestyle offers a transformative approach to living. By reevaluating consumerism, decluttering spaces, practising mindful consumption, and cultivating balance and well-being, individuals can find solace and purpose in the midst of the urban frenzy. 

While the above-mentioned environmental issues may affect Hongkongers’ quality of life as well as many aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, an adoption of this lifestyle offers a beacon of hope in mitigating climate change. 

Renowned chimpanzee researcher and activist Jane Goodall once said: “Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference.” 

Therefore, embracing minimalism in Hong Kong is not only a personal choice; it is a step towards creating a more sustainable, mindful, and fulfilling way of life in this vibrant city. So, let us embark on this journey of simplicity, embrace what truly matters, and rediscover the beauty of living with less in the midst of Hong Kong’s abundant offerings.

If you like to get started but don’t know where to start, you may follow these simple 5 steps.

1. Decluttering your environment and mind
2. Be mindful when purchasing 
3. Take advantage of digital platforms
4. Try recycling and reusing as much as possible
5. Form a habit to get organised

Learn more about minimalism: Guide to a Minimalist Lifestyle by Caroline Banton, Minimalism by James Clear, Beginner’s Guide to Minimalism | Do You Have The Right Mindset? by Malama Life on Youtube.

Featured image: Sumaid pal Singh Bakshi/Unsplash

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With climate change, sustainability and waste reduction on the agenda of many businesses and corporate leaders, it is important for them to showcase their green credentials publicly and openly. In doing so, these businesses can offer insights into lesser known recycling opportunities in their internal operations, a theme promoted in this year’s Recycling Week campaign in the United Kingdom. 

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Hunt for Any Missed Opportunities

The theme for this year’s Recycling Week initiative, celebrated in the UK between October 16-22, 2023, was “The Big Recycling Hunt.” The initiative was a call on individuals and businesses to consider “missed captures”, in other words, items or materials that can be recycled but are not commonly identified as being recyclable. 

With a special toolkit available and educational resources for teachers and communities to download and share to get local children involved, a part of this year’s campaign was to encourage businesses to share this message and get involved by highlighting the efforts they make throughout the year. 

For CEOs and business leaders, any focused recycling campaign is a unique opportunity for them to prove to their customers, stakeholders, employees, and prospective clients the efforts they are making throughout the year to recycle materials. An ongoing initiative that is communicated between staff and shared online showcases their commitment and dedication to recycling as well as all the practical ways their business contributes to the wider recycling cause. 

Rather than being a business or CEO that falls short, today’s companies should keep identifying and using materials in their manufacturing lines or any operational areas of the business that can be recycled. While some leading companies are doing well at reducing waste and recycling, other businesses need to dig deeper into their internal and external operations to look for missed opportunities and improve their sustainability.

Businesses Should Be Held Accountable 

By shifting away from a linear approach where materials are thoughtlessly discarded, companies can step up and put greater efforts into adopting a circular model. A circular economy aims to eliminate waste by promoting the continual use of resources through strategies like recycling, reusing, repairing and remanufacturing products and materials. It is a regenerative system that minimises depletion of natural resources by using renewable energy and materials. The circular model is adopted by businesses keen to embed their commitment to sustainability and ESG values in a responsible and viable economic structure.

Strategies such as rethinking product design, enabling repair and reuse, and exploring ways to utilise by-products can help make this transformation. By-products are materials or waste produced during manufacturing or production processes as secondary outputs, in addition to the primary product. Common by-products across many industries include materials, such as:

• Scrap metal
• Wood shavings
• Food waste
• Plastic, or
• Paper packaging. 

In many cases, these by-products can be identified, recovered and reused or recycled back into production processes or repurposed for other uses rather than being disposed of. For example, sawdust from woodworking can be used for fuel, composting or as a raw material for other products. Likewise, the remnants of ground coffee can be recycled as compost. 

Utilising by-products also promotes a circular economy by reducing waste and the need for additional raw materials. With proper systems and technology for separation and collection, many by-products can be diverted from landfills and their economic value realised through recycling markets or creative reuse. 

To show support and commit to a recycling agenda, businesses worldwide can incorporate effective by-product repurposing initiatives in addition to recycling policies to transition to a more circular operational approach. Additional national campaigns, like planting trees to mark 2023’ National Tree Week (from 25th November to 3rd December) can be pivotal in how businesses set themselves apart from other companies.

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Why Should Businesses Care About Recycling?

There are many compelling reasons for companies to prioritise recycling:

• Cost savings: Proper recycling reduces waste collection and disposal costs. Reusing materials also lowers operating expenses.

• Environmental impact: Recycling reduces landfill waste, curbs carbon emissions, and helps preserve natural resources. This aligns with many other eco-friendly business practices.

• Compliance: Stricter regulations require more recycling and waste reporting. Getting policies in place now ensures more compliance across the board.

• Employee engagement: Staff appreciate working for environmentally aware employers. Successful recycling schemes rely on workforce participation.

• Reputation: Customers and stakeholders ‌increasingly favour brands they use that demonstrate ethical, eco-friendly practices like recycling.

• Corporate social responsibility (CSR): CSR is a key consideration for many UK brands these days. By demonstrating active participation in ecological projects and emission reduction initiatives, consumers will take more notice.

The last two points highlighted above really illustrate how Recycle Week is a crucial time to drill down on how you, as a brand, are making an active difference in the fight against climate change. Not only can you promote your recycling efforts but you can also showcase other environmental projects and initiatives you have in the pipeline. 

Furthermore, there is reason to believe that, by promoting your recycling efforts through evergreen content, you can earn your business much-needed online visibility, something which is hard to turn your nose up at in this competitive climate. In other words, keep telling your customers and stakeholders what you are doing that is making a positive environmental impact, as Justin Aldridge, Technical Director at SEO Agency Artemis Marketing explained to earth.org, “Companies recognising their role in combating climate change through recycling and other CSR efforts will gain a real competitive edge. From our experience, many of our clients are making the switch to more eco-friendly products, solutions and practices. Promoting sustainability initiatives online can also attract the attention of environmentally-minded prospects who come across this authoritative content during web searches.”

How Can Businesses Improve Recycling?

Recycling policies must be robust and organisation-wide to be truly effective. That can manifest in several different ways for businesses across sectors and regions, but as a loose, top-level guide, here are some top tips to improve your recycling efforts.

Companies can be looking for ways to boost their sustainability efforts and reduce waste. Here are some best practices businesses should consider making recycling a priority at the executive level. When company executives actively champion recycling initiatives, they can inspire other people in the company to follow suit. You can look at appointing a Chief Sustainability Officer or have the CEO directly spearhead programmes to underscore the importance of this issue.

Likewise, look at officially analysing your current waste streams and establish this as a key ongoing task. Appointing a member of staff and creating a senior role tasked with conducting a professional waste audit that monitors current rubbish levels, recycling and compost is a great idea, if finances permit. This will uncover any problem areas or gaps where more recycling could be implemented. Track the full lifecycle of materials from sourcing to disposal to pinpoint improvement opportunities.

In other ways, businesses can implement further changes, including:

• Provide training and resources: Educating staff is crucial for maximising recycling participation while minimising contamination from improper materials. Create clear signage and labels indicating what can/cannot be recycled. Ensure recycling bins are plentiful and located conveniently throughout facilities. Appoint employee recycling champions to promote protocols and serve as resources for questions.
• Monitor and report progress: Gather and track detailed data on recycling rates, participation levels, and contamination incidents. Share progress reports internally to highlight wins and identify areas needing improvement. Metrics and reporting provide accountability and visibility.
• Collaborate with suppliers: Work alongside vendors and suppliers to reduce packaging waste. Encourage take-back programs for recyclable packaging materials like pallets and shipping containers. Renegotiate contracts to include sustainability criteria.
• Engage employees: Boost participation by allowing employees to share feedback and suggestions. Incentivise success with rewards programmes recognising top contributors. Create competitions between departments or individuals for most materials recycled. Promote achievements through company communications.
• Lead By example: Implement initiatives that visibly demonstrate the company’s commitment to sustainability. For example, eliminate single-use plastics from cafeterias and meeting rooms. Showcase pilot projects and case studies for stakeholders to emulate. Use your influence to drive wider industry adoption of best recycling practices.

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Recycling Ideas for Businesses

Ready to plan your company’s recycling push? Here are some great initiatives to consider:

• Provide boxes for staff to clear old paperwork for secure shredding and recycling.
• Run a ‘bring your own’ week by encouraging reusable cups, bottles, and containers instead of single-use disposables.
• Organise waste audits to assess contamination and identify target areas.
• Invite Continuing Professional Development (CPD) experts to present the latest advice on recycling regulations and best practices.
• Track and share monthly recycling statistics to maintain momentum.
• Organise competitions – challenge departments to increase recycling rates with rewards for winning teams.
• Share success stories – use newsletters, blogs and social media to broadcast recycling achievements.

Every business, large or small, can take meaningful steps to boost recycling. This Recycle Week, why not put your company’s waste under the microscope and launch new initiatives to reduce and reuse more? Our planet will thank you for it. 

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Climate change is putting a strain on food systems. Understanding the water footprint of the food you buy and eat will help you make sustainable choices when grocery shopping.

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Climate change is making droughts and other extreme weather events longer, more frequent and severe. An increase in drought severity will put strain on our food systems and threaten food security. As part of our ‘What Can I Do’ series, this article will help you navigate your water footprint when you are at the grocery store/

What Is a Water Footprint?

The food we consume has a water footprint – a measure of the amount of water required to produce the food we eat. Our food systems rely on blue, green, and grey water consumption to provide us with groceries we consume. 

Blue water is water from lakes, rivers, and aquifers. It is the amount of freshwater used. Green water is soil water that is readily available for plants. It is the amount of rainwater used. Grey water is the indicator of pollution associated with the supply chain of a product and refers specifically to the amount of polluted runoff water. 

It is important to differentiate and understand the amount of water and the type of water used in the food lifecycle. 

The Water Footprint of Food

Meat

Beef, pork, and poultry have a high water footprint. This high water footprint is due to the water required to grow the feed, water for the animals to drink, and water used for cleaning of the livestock farm and slaughterhouse. Of the three water components that go into the meat lifecycle, the water required to grow the feed has the largest water footprint. For instance, to produce one kilogram (kg) of beef, 13kg of grain and 30kg of hay are needed to feed the cow, both requiring over 105,000 litres of water to produce.

Animal feed contributes to 38% of the total water footprint with many of the crops having a large blue and grey water footprint. In other words, animal feed contributes to a decrease in blue water, depleting freshwater resources and an increase in grey water, increasing the amount of polluted runoff water.

Dairy

Similar to meat, dairy has a high water footprint due to water required to grow the feed for the dairy cows, water for the dairy cows to drink, and water used to clean the farm and harvest production. A study found that dairy uses an average of 1.36 cubic metres of water/kg of milk produced, composed of over 68% green water and over 30% blue water. This means that a higher proportion of the water footprint from dairy is reliant on rainwater and the remaining is reliant on freshwater. As climate change accelerates drought, these freshwater sources will make it harder to produce dairy. 

Nuts

Tree nuts (e.g., almonds and cashews) and groundnuts (e.g., peanuts) are water intensive crops with a large water footprint per unit mass of protein. An article published in 2020 discusses the global average water footprint of tree nuts and groundnuts combined is over 157,000 million cubic metres/year. Cashews have the largest overall water footprint at over 27,000 million cubic metres/year, with over 6% being blue water and over 93% green water. Groundnuts have the highest blue water footprint at 5,107 million cubic metres/year. These values indicate that nuts have a large impact on the global freshwater supply. 

How to Navigate

Although there is yet to be a one-all solution, there is an environmental impact labelling system being developed to help consumers navigate the grocery store to make sustainable choices.

“Traffic-Light” Lables 

Currently in the testing stage, food system specialists are developing a “traffic-light” labelling system to provide information on the environmental impact foods have. This front-of-pack labelling would include the impacts of greenhouse gases and the water footprint it takes to produce, manufacture, and distribute the food products. It is designed to provide a simple infographic lettered A, in green, as lowest environmental impact and E, in red, as highest environmental impact. This simple design makes it easy for consumers to easily see the impact their food choices have and help guide them to make more sustainable decisions.

Until the “traffic-light” label design is introduced into grocery stores, it is imperative that consumers take the time to understand the amount of water required to produce foods. Understanding the water footprint can help you choose products from farms that promote sustainable practices. 

Climate change will threaten water resources and foods with a high water footprint will become more challenging to produce. Sustainable practices throughout the food lifecycle and consumer awareness will be imperative in navigating global food security. 

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Eco-friendly travel is now more important than ever as the climate keeps changing and tourism resumes in a post-pandemic world. Pollution and excess waste are causing harm to the environment, animals, and communities living in tourist hotspots, making it essential to be sustainable whenever you travel. Both casual travellers and full-time nomads can do their part to be eco-friendly as they travel the globe, and by doing so, they can ensure a sustainable future for all. 

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As the global climate deteriorates at an unprecedented pace, there comes a greater need to change how you travel to minimise your impact on the environment. By being sustainable regardless of where you go, you can ensure that you are helping the planet and future generations.

Sustainable Travel Is Part of the Solution

Sustainable travel. That’s when you take the time to think of how every aspect of your journey can be more eco-friendly so you can minimise the impacts your activities have on the environment. Doing so is more important than ever, considering that tourism accounts for 8-10% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Many modes of transportation necessary for travel, like planes and cars, emit greenhouse gases that negatively impact the environment and also harm human health. 

Air pollution is a major concern, as it can affect communities around the entire world, making it more difficult for people to breathe and even increasing the risk of long-term health conditions like cancer. Further, pollution in one location can also travel to other areas of the world, making it a truly global issue. It can also negatively impact entire ecosystems, including plants and wildlife.

When you travel, it is important to be part of the solution rather than contributing to the problem. When you work to travel sustainably, you can help ensure that the places you visit on your adventures stay beautiful and accessible for local communities that inhabit them as well as fellow travellers.

Eco-Friendly Tips During Casual Travel

Whether it is for fun or business, you can take some steps to ensure your travel is as eco-friendly as possible.

It all starts by planning out your journey in advance. If you are driving, plan your route so you are not using gas unnecessarily. Before leaving, determine where you will stay, what you will eat, and the stops you want to make along the way. 

In particular, where you eat while travelling can be incredibly important. By eating locally sourced foods, you will consume delicious meals and support local farmers and businesses. What’s more, when you skip the big chain restaurants and stores, you reduce the need for trucks to travel from faraway destinations to deliver supplies to these businesses.

One way to reduce waste and minimise plastic pollution is to avoid single-use plastics. When you go to a restaurant, only order what you intend to eat so you do not need unnecessary takeout containers that will inevitably be thrown away –or bring your own reusable ones. You should also,bring a reusable water bottle and refill it along the way.

Wherever you go, follow one of the primary sustainable travel principles: leave each place the same as you found it. This is especially true when you head out into nature or the wilderness. When you go, you want the area to look as close as possible to how it was when you got there. Do not leave trash lying around or create excess waste. To leave these areas even better than how you found them, pick up any other pieces of trash that others have left behind. These are incredibly simple acts, but they can make a world of difference.

More on the topic: Explainer: What Is Ecotourism and Why It Matters in 2023

Sustainability for Full-Time Travellers

If you travel full-time as a digital nomad or live the van life, sustainability needs to be a primary goal so you can be eco-friendly wherever you go.

There are several tips to consider when travelling by van as a nomad that can help you to be efficient and sustainable. Research each new area you plan to visit before you get there. If there is room in your vehicle, bring your bike along so you can travel shorter distances without further greenhouse gas emissions once you arrive at a destination. Also, do not forget to explore on foot so you can see the sights you would otherwise not notice from a vehicle. If you need inspiration, check out the local natural landmarks and historical sites and work on a nearby park bench. 

As you work, try to use energy-efficient laptops and smartphones. You can often identify them by the Energy Star label. Keep your devices charged using solar energy, if possible. Further, whenever possible, do not use an electronic device at all, but instead, write down your ideas on a dry-erase board so you can use it repeatedly. 

It can be tempting to continue travelling from place to place but unless you need to be somewhere, remember there is no hurry. When you find a new area to explore, think about how you can stay longer and move less to reduce your fuel consumption. Research campsites or parking areas that are close to the locations you want to visit so you do not have to drive to them. Reduce your waste by using reusable grocery bags and storing food in reusable containers, and do not forget to properly dispose of waste every chance you get.

Conclusion

It is crucial to plan out your travel so you can venture from place to place as sustainably as possible. It’s important for human health, as well as the health of the planet. Do what is right today, and you will set up a promising future for all.

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Featured image: Unsplash

Climate change is no longer a distant threat – it is a reality that farmers around the world are grappling with daily. Rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns, increased pest and disease pressure and shifting precipitation patterns have made agriculture more challenging than ever. Farmers are demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of the uncertainty brought about by climate change. 

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1. Diversification of Crops and Livestock

Diversification is one of the most effective strategies farmers use to adapt to climate change. Farmers can spread the risk associated with changing weather patterns by planting various crops and raising different types of livestock. Diversification provides a buffer against crop failures, helps maintain soil health and prevents the spreading of diseases and pests. Farmers are experimenting with new crop varieties better suited to changing conditions and exploring niche markets for specialty crops and livestock breeds.

2. Precision Agriculture and Technology

Technological advancements have played a crucial role in helping farmers adapt to climate change. Precision agriculture techniques, like GPS-guided tractors and drones, optimise farmer’s use of resources like water and fertilisers. With data-driven insights from weather forecasts and soil analysis, farmers can make informed decisions about when to plant, irrigate and harvest, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. 

3. Sustainable Farming Practices

Sustainability has become a central focus for many farmers. Implementing practices like conservation tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping helps sequester carbon, improve soil health and reduce water usage. Additionally, sustainable farming practices contribute to biodiversity conservation, which is vital for maintaining ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. 

You might also like: How Climate Smart Agriculture Can Help Us Tackle Global Food Insecurity

4. Water Management and Irrigation Efficiency

As water resources become scarcer and more unpredictable, farmers are adopting innovative irrigation techniques to make the most of available water. Drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting and soil moisture sensors are just a few examples of technologies that help farmers manage water resources more efficiently. Water recycling and storage systems also enable farmers to store excess water during wet periods for use during dry spells.

5. Maximising Existing Agricultural Land

With a growing global population and increasing pressure on land resources, finding ways to enhance productivity on current farmland is vital. Farmers already use approximately 50% of vegetative land for agriculture, so there is little room for expansion and they need to get the most out of the land. 

Many farmers are adopting high-yield crop varieties and implementing crop rotation and intercropping techniques. Farmers can achieve higher yields by optimising land use and reducing the need for deforestation or land expansion. This approach helps them meet the rising food demand and conserves natural ecosystems. 

6. Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

Crop breeding programmes are developing climate-resilient varieties that can withstand extreme temperatures, droughts and other climate-related stresses. These new varieties ensure better yields and reduce the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Farmers are adopting these resilient crops at increasing rates to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

More on the topic: Bioengineering Climate-Resilient Crops to Safeguard Global Food Security

7. Knowledge Sharing and Adaptation Networks

Farmers are not facing climate change in isolation. Many join local and global networks to share knowledge, experiences and best practices for adapting to changing conditions. These networks help farmers learn from each other and gain access to valuable resources, including climate information, financial support and technical expertise. 

8. Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Signs

Access to accurate weather forecasting is critical to help farmers make timely decisions. The unpredictability of climate change has led to an increased demand for localised and reliable weather information. Many farmers now rely on weather apps and services offering real-time data and long-term forecasts tailored to their specific locations. Additionally, early warning systems for extreme weather events, like hurricanes and floods, have become invaluable tools for risk mitigation.

9. Resilient Infrastructure and Farm Design

Building resilient infrastructure is another game-changing strategy. Farmers are constructing climate-resilient buildings, storage facilities and irrigation systems to withstand extreme weather events. Farm design is evolving to incorporate natural features like wetlands and windbreaks to protect against erosion and create microclimates that foster healthy crops and livestock. 

10. Education and Training

Continuous learning and training are essential for staying ahead of climate change. Many agricultural universities and organisations offer workshops and courses on climate-smart agriculture, helping farmers stay up-to-date with the latest practices and technologies. This knowledge exchange promotes innovation and empowers farmers to make informed decisions.

11. Government Policies and Support

Government policies play a significant role in helping farmers make adaptations for climate change. Many countries are implementing policies and incentives to encourage sustainable farming practices, provide financial support during extreme weather events and promote research and development of climate-resilient crops. Farmers are actively engaging with policymakers to ensure they address their concerns and needs in climate-related legislation. 

For example, the US has various programmes and initiatives to support farmers. These include the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programmes, which promote sustainable farming practices, and crop insurance programs to help farmers recover from weather-related losses. Additionally, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides grants and technical assistance for research on climate-resilient crop varieties and practices. 

Read more about what the European Union is doing: NOMAD: An EU Project for Sustainable Agriculture Development

Adapting to a Changing Environment

The unpredictability of climate change presents significant challenges to farmers worldwide, but they are responding with innovation and adaptability. Through strategies and practices like diversification and technological advancements, farmers are beginning to thrive amidst the challenges of climate change. Their ability to adapt and innovate is crucial for their own livelihoods and for ensuring food security. 

As the effects of climate change continue to unfold, the agricultural community’s ability to adapt will be instrumental in securing a sustainable future for us all. 

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International Day of Climate Action is a worldwide movement initiated by young people concerned about climate change and global injustice. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the last eight years have been the hottest ever recorded. 2023 was characterised by unprecedented, record-breaking extreme weather events that have killed thousands and displaced millions of people worldwide. Global warming is worsening and it is affecting a generation that’s equally frightened, angry, and inspired to make a change. In a recent study, 59% and 84% of young people reported feeling extremely or moderately worried about climate change, respectively. Another 45% felt climate change negatively impacts their lives, while 75% worry about their future. However, despite their fear, today’s youth aren’t sitting idly as the planet goes up in flames. Instead, they have realised that collective youth climate action plays a pivotal role in shaping a more sustainable future. 

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Young Climate Action: Youth Leaders for a Healthier Planet

Since Greta Thunberg spearheaded the 2019 Global Week for Future march for climate change, encouraging millions of young people to participate, several youth leaders have made waves for a greener, healthier, and more stable world.

Tahsin Uddin from Bangladesh may only be in his early twenties, but he has been a climate activist since he was 12, when he started a magazine called Lal Sabuj. The magazine allows children and teens to share how climate change impacts them and deliver solutions. He also runs the Lal Sabuj Society, protecting women and children from the consequences of climate change, participating in clean-ups, providing skills development, and teaching debate tactics.

Vanessa Nakate from Uganda spoke at last year’s COP27, urging leaders to end funding fossil fuels, greenwashing, and making trivial politics a priority. As more consumers transform their habits to reduce energy consumption, many have looked for cleaner alternatives to power homes, businesses, and vehicles.

In the US, 15-year-old Ollie Perrault founded Youth Climate Action Now, focusing on state policy changes that support sustainable local farms and a composting program.

These youth climate activists are only three out of the millions who have taken politicians and the global population to task for combatting climate change. 

A recent study suggests that children born in 2020 will undergo two to seven times more extreme climate change events in their lifetimes compared to those born in 1960. Youth climate action aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to counter the severe threats to future generations.

You might also like: 10 Young Climate Activists Leading the Way on Global Climate Action

How Young People Can Create a Sustainable Future

There are many ways young people can participate in climate action for a sustainable future. Here are five examples of climate action initiatives. 

1. Join a March

Marching for climate change is an excellent way to raise awareness in numbers. Whether walking in the People’s Climate March in Washington D.C. or participating in a local rally, large events with numerous participants could get ample news coverage. 

These particular rallies are most effective when the local community gathers for a regional climate change issue. Organize a march and invite others to join you in your mission to help the planet.

You might also like: Fridays for Future: How Young Climate Activists Are Making Their Voices Heard

2. Educate Others

Educating others about climate change is integral to getting more people informed and on board with climate change and eco-friendliness.

Visit schools and read age-appropriate climate change books to children. Sign up to be a speaker at an event describing how climate change affects you and your community. 

You might also create social media posts to extend your audience reach with accurate information about an environmental topic you’re passionate about. Another idea is to post content with sustainable lifestyle tips for reducing one’s carbon footprint.

3. Volunteer in Your Community

Volunteering is a great way to get involved in youth climate action in your community. Join an organization or visit your town’s Public Works department for information regarding upcoming clean-ups.

Assisting during natural disasters and fundraising for natural disaster relief can also help those significantly impacted by climate change weather impacts. 

4. Eat a Plant-Based Diet

The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the environmental and health benefits of transitioning to a plant-based diet. 

Youth can help offset climate change impacts by eating predominantly vegetarian or vegan. The report shows that plant-based diets decrease greenhouse gas emissions and promote animal welfare, less land degradation, and greater nutrition without pesticides and fertilisers.

Other studies show that plant-based diets can reduce emissions by 61% in high-income nations. 

You might also like: 10 Surprising Plant-Based Food Facts

5. Promote Policy Changes

Change can only occur when politicians enact new environmental legislation. Therefore, youth climate action entails calling up your representatives and speaking to them about concerns and solutions for climate change.

According to Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans believe climate change should be a top political issue. However, there are disparities between political parties, with liberal-leaning politics keener to focus on environmental issues facing our planet today.

Nevertheless, engaging with local leaders respectfully and encouraging more robust policies to mitigate greenhouse gases is the most effective way youth can create a more sustainable future. 

The Youth Are the Future

The health of our planet is in young people’s capable hands. With their steadfast determination and hopefulness, we may still see an earth where climate change is o longer the risk it poses today.

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Climate change poses an urgent threat, but faith communities may hold the key to driving impactful action. As stewards of creation with moral authority, they have immense potential to educate and mobilise their members towards environmental activism. By collaborating across faiths and with scientists, they can amplify calls for climate justice, model sustainable lifestyles, and pressure governments through advocacy. Faith leaders who embrace an eco-theology rooted in care for the vulnerable could reframe climate change as a profound moral crisis. This article explores practical ways religious groups can put their principles into practice to create change, and the dilemmas posed by such activism.

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Climate change is one of humanity’s most urgent and complex challenges. It threatens the lives and livelihoods of millions, especially the poor and vulnerable, and the integrity and diversity of the natural world. It also poses a moral and ethical dilemma for all people of faith: how can we love our neighbours and care for God’s creation in an ecological crisis?

Many religious traditions have teachings and values that support environmental stewardship and social justice. They also have a significant influence and potential to mobilise their followers and resources for positive change. According to a 2020 study, religious affiliation relates to greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and gross domestic product on a global scale. Moreover, faith-related institutions own almost 8% of the total habitable land surface and constitute the world’s third largest category of financial investors. 

Their determination to address climate change or protect wildlife enormously impacts the fate of natural spaces and species.

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How Faith Communities Can Contribute to the Fight Against Climate Change

Faith communities can contribute to the fight against climate change in various ways, such as:

• Educating and raising awareness among their members about the causes and consequences of climate change and the moral duty to act.
• Advocating and lobbying for policies and practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote renewable energy sources, protect biodiversity, and support adaptation and resilience.
• Divesting from fossil-fuel companies and investing in green alternatives aligned with their values and principles.
• Implementing sustainability measures in their institutions, such as reducing energy consumption, waste generation and water use, planting trees, using eco-friendly products, and supporting local farmers.
• Engaging in interfaith dialogue and cooperation on environmental issues, sharing best practices, resources and experiences, and building solidarity and trust.
• Participating in environmental movements and campaigns, such as Earth Day, Sacred Earth, or Green Faith, mobilising people of different faiths for collective action.
• Supporting grassroots initiatives and projects that address the needs and challenges of communities affected by climate change, especially those in developing countries.

Some examples of faith communities that are actively involved in these activities are:

• The Creation Care Initiative, founded by two scientists from a conservative Christian community, links science, biblical teachings, and stewardship and offers workshops on sustainability for church members.
• The Extinction Rebellion Muslims, a transnational network of Muslim activists hosting “Green Ramadan” seminars and campaigns against environmental destruction, such as a luxury tourist resort that threatened parts of the Nairobi National Park in Kenya, collaborated with scientists and other faith groups.
• The Interfaith Rainforest Initiative is a global partnership of religious leaders, indigenous peoples, scientists, and conservationists that protects tropical forests from deforestation, degradation and conversion.
• The Green Pilgrimage Network, an alliance of cities and sacred sites worldwide aims to make the pilgrimage more environmentally friendly by promoting green transport, accommodation, food and waste management.

The Moral and Ethical Aspects of Faith Communities’ Involvement in Environmental Action

Faith communities’ involvement in environmental action is a practical and moral imperative. Many religious traditions have a concept of stewardship or trusteeship that implies a responsibility to care for the Earth as God’s creation or a sacred gift. They also have a notion of justice or compassion that demands respect for the rights and dignity of all living beings, especially the poor and marginalised who suffer most from the impacts of climate change.

By engaging in environmental action, faith communities can demonstrate their commitment to these values and principles and respect for diversity and pluralism. They can also challenge the dominant consumerism, individualism, and materialism paradigms that contribute to ecological degradation and social inequality. They can offer alternative visions of well-being, happiness, and harmony based on simplicity, generosity, and spirituality.

However, faith communities’ involvement in environmental action also poses challenges and dilemmas. For instance:

• How can they balance their loyalty to their doctrines and traditions with their openness to other perspectives and sources of knowledge, such as science and indigenous wisdom?
• How can they reconcile their differences in beliefs and practices with their shared goals and values, such as peace and justice?
• How can they avoid imposing their views and agendas on others, especially those who do not share their faith or have no faith?
• How can they ensure their actions are effective and accountable and not cause unintended harm or backlash?

These questions require careful reflection and dialogue among faith communities and other stakeholders, such as scientists, policymakers, civil society, and the media. They also need humility and honesty, as well as courage and creativity.

What Can Be Achieved If Faith Community Leaders, Scientists and Stakeholders Rise to Combat the Issue of Climate Change

If faith community leaders, scientists and stakeholders rise to combat the issue of climate change, they can achieve remarkable results that can benefit both people and the planet. They can:

• Increase public awareness and understanding of climate change’s scientific facts and moral implications and inspire people to act personally and professionally.
• Influence political decisions and policies that support a low-carbon transition, a green recovery and a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuels.
• Mobilise financial resources and technical expertise to support innovation and adaptation in various sectors, such as energy, agriculture, transport, health, and education.
• Strengthen social cohesion and resilience by fostering a culture of cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect among people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Enhance environmental protection and restoration by conserving natural resources, restoring ecosystems, and promoting biodiversity.

Climate change is a global challenge that requires a global response. Faith communities can play a vital role in this response by using their influence and potential to contribute to the fight against climate change. They can also bring a moral and ethical dimension to the environmental discourse that can appeal to people’s hearts and minds. However, they also face challenges and dilemmas requiring reflection and dialogue. By working with scientists and other stakeholders, they can overcome these challenges and achieve remarkable results that benefit both people and the planet.

Call to Action

The following are some of the actions that people of faith or members of faith communities can take to join the fight against climate change:

• They are learning more about the causes and consequences of climate change and how their faith traditions relate to environmental issues. They can use resources like Earth.Org to get started.
• Talk to their friends, family and fellow believers about climate change and share their concerns and hopes.
• They are joining or starting a green group in their faith communities that organises activities and events to raise awareness and act on environmental issues.
• They support environmental initiatives and organisations or participate in campaigns and movements that advocate for climate justice and action, such as Earthday. They can also sign petitions or write letters to their political representatives or media outlets.

They are changing their lifestyle and consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint. They can use calculators such as carbon footprint calculators to measure their impact and find ways to improve it.

Featured image: Now Then Magazine

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