Five every day things

I thought I'll keep this blog post nice and simple and share some of the easy ways you can have a lower footprint. They're just simple, small things but can make a whole world of a difference. It's just about getting in the habit.

1) Carry your own water bottle: This one is pretty easy, you just have to remember to do it! Plus it will save you precious money too. Why spend money on something you can get out of the tap?

2) Carry your own keep cup: I have spoken about this before. We simply cannot afford to throw a coffee cup 5 days a week in the bin. The waste this is generating is completely unnecessary. Plus look how much cuter keep cups look!

3) Carry your own shopping bags: I have always carried by own bags when going grocery shopping. Honestly I find them so much sturdier and easier to carry in comparison to flimsy plastic bags. I was doing this much before the single use plastic bag ban at Coles and Woolworths last year. It was a little amusing seeing everyone get used to this. There were quite a few grumpy people who thought the change was unnecessary and inconvenient. Nevertheless, the result was worth it. The ban saw an 80% drop in plastic use nationwide. That is commendable. 

(Courtesy Earth Bottles)

4)   Buy what you need: There is a running joke in my family about my fridge. People have often found a single tomato, a single capsicum and just a loaf of bread in my fridge many a times. Whilst it may be amusing, it is practical! I plan ahead for my week. I know exactly what I'll be cooking and when. So I buy the ingredients accordingly. I do this to minimise waste. I really don't see the point in buying a bag of carrots when I will only be needing one. I have to admit the supermarkets don't make buying small quantities of things easy. Bulk quantities are always cheaper. It boggles my mind why a 2L bottle of coke is $2.85 at Coles and a 600mL bottle $3.70? Consumers are forced to buy things in large quantities to get cheaper rates. The result of this, for single people like me is that a whole lot of it will simply go to waste. I never buy the 2L bottle of coke because the fizz disappears after the first day and then it goes so flat I just chuck the rest down the drain. Anyhow, resist the impulse to buy in bulk. Don't buy a bag of donuts which will expire in one day. You know you can't finish it (but if you can, I'm no one to stop you!).

5) Take public transport: I have to admit I am very lucky to live in a city like Sydney where there is an excellent, well connected public transport system. I don't have a car and very rarely take Ubers and have absolutely no problem getting around. If you live out in the country or are in a city with a poor public transport system, I feel for you. Investing in a good public transport system is imperative for every government to counteract the impacts of climate change. Think about this: a full bus can take 40 cars off the road. If you are lucky enough to have a choice, public transport should be the way to go. What's more? It gives you time to read a good book or get some work done while someone else does the driving for you. In my personal experience I have noticed that most millenials in Sydney prefer taking public transport whereas the older generation seems more comfortable taking their cars to their respective destinations. Some people like it the old fashioned way. While I understand that breaking a habit can be hard we have to understand the times are changing. The need of the hour is to do everything in our power to reduce the greenhouse gases we release in the air.

(My friend and I responsibly catching a train at Wynyard station, Sydney. 

Look how happy we are, public transport is fun!)

So there you have it. Those were my five every day things through which we can reduce our ecological footprint. There are many other ways and means to do better but it always helps to start with something small and easy so we don't overwhelm ourselves. Until next time!

The Time is Now

I feel cautiously optimistic. There is a growing realisation amongst people in Australia (the youth in particular) that the threat of climate change is no longer generations into the future. It's not a far away concept anymore where we don't see tangible consequences in the news every other day. 2018 was Australia's third hottest year on record. Rainfall levels were the lowest since 2005. Bushfires came early, coastal regions saw floods and erratic weather patterns were noticed all around the country. Drought conditions intensified and farmers in particular, suffered. Prof Will Steffen from Climate Council commented "We are concerned that there may be a point of no return a few decades down the track where we actually lose control of the climate system".

Australian Federal Elections are coming up next month. Nationwide polls are showing that the public attitude towards climate policies is shifting. According to a recent poll, only 13% Australians believe the government is doing a good job of addressing climate change. The drought in particular made many realise that climate change has the potential to destroy livelihoods for generations to come. The government's stance on climate action will play a pivotal role in the upcoming elections. 

When we talk about environmental issues in Australia, you cannot skip talking about the mega controversial coal mine project by Adani. The project aims to dig the biggest coal mine in Australian history. The catastrophic impacts of the project include, but are not limited to, releasing close to 5 billion tonnes of carbon pollution to the atmosphere, getting access to almost 300 billion litres of Queensland's groundwater (for free, might I add!) and severe coral bleaching in the great barrier reef. Just this week Environment Minister Melissa Price granted federal approval to the coal mine, strategically signing off right before the elections. The current government insists that the project has been subjected to a multitude of conditions which will restrict its environmental impacts. But that is hard to believe. What is disappointing is that the opposition has primarily taken a lukewarm approach as well, with no strong promises on how it will restrict the harmful environmental impacts of the project.

This is all happening at a time when it is clear that in order for the world to keep warming well below 2 degree celsius, we'll need to leave fossil fuels in the ground. Australia needs to take a strong, hard look at their policies if they are to meet the emissions reductions targets adopted in Paris in 2015.

Public support for large-scale energy transition is noticeable. A recent poll showed that a sizeable proportion of Australians believe that the government should focus on clean, renewable energy, even if it means that investment needs to be made to make the infrastructure more reliable.

We will have to wait and see how Australia truly stands on the subject of climate change and clean energy. The elections will reveal how serious the country is about electing a leader that will make tangible changes to improve our response to this climate emergency. Choose wisely, Australia.