6 super-easy hacks to fight Climate Change

Pawan Gupta
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

So you care about environment, climate and want to contribute in the fight against climate change? But you are not sure where do you start or how much difference you can actually make? Well, it’s actually not that difficult. My goal here is to give you some very easy starting points that can make a huge impact. So here you go:

1. Buy less clothes

Clothing industry is the second largest polluting industry after Oil & Gas. Everything from growing cotton, to using plastic (polyester), to clothing construction, shipping, retail, washing, dying, shipping, and dumping clothes is massively polluting. Your clothes undoubtedly have a massive carbon footprint. The cotton used in your T-Shirt and a pair of jeans can take more than 5,000 gallons of water. Manufacturing and dying are chemically intensive. Your clothes travel long distances from manufacturing to retail. Ultimately 90% of your clothes are dumped into landfills.

The contribution one individual can make by buying less clothes is actually significant. Don’t let yourself fall into fast fashion. Buy less, buy clothes that look good on you, and look smart. Make your own fashion statement. Perks — You save some precious money to invest in your experiences!

2. Own less things

This is one thing millenials are doing right. Over long time, we have been taught to earn money, and buy things. This is plain stupid. Things are just that “Things”. They are there to serve you a purpose not become your purpose. The constant urge to buy, showoff, upgrade, showoff is killing you mentally and financially.

Few months back I made a wow that I would not check out Sales. I would buy only when I need something not because something is out there at 50% off. Trust me, I ended up saving huge money and made 2 foreign trips with that money! WIN!

I am not asking you to be a minimalist. But whenever you are buying anything, just ask yourself why are you buying it? Just try it out. Even before you have perfected it, you would start inspiring others.

3. Ditch the Car

Let’s face it. Driving in maddening city traffic, finding parking, looking out for your car’s safety, worrying about traffic violations, and avoiding alcohol because you are driving are just not worth it! Leave your car home more often. Save it for road-trips or late night drives.

By avoiding personal cars you reduce need for parking spaces, decongest cities, share cabs more often, walk more, and give public transport a shot. And in cities like Delhi (India) most cabs use clean fuels like CNG.

Yes — For Climate, it’s better to take a taxi than personal car. Obviously, public transport is the best.

4. Hate packaging

Your online shopping, hyperlocal deliveries use humongous amounts of cardboard and plastics! HUMONGOUS!! If you shopped online, I’m sure you have seen your home fill up with those boxes.

Again, shop less, only what you need. Buy from your local stores and carry your own bags. I do it for all of my shopping. I keep a few spare carry bags in my office bag and in my car all the time. It’s just so simple and easy, there’s no excuse for not doing it.

5. Ditch Plastic Water Bottles

They are evil. Plain evil. It’s the first thing that makes a tourist place dirty. It’s the first thing that clogs drains. And it just never degrades.

Ask for regular water while eating out. Keep your metal or glass bottles with you. Take a bunch of them when going on road trips. Keep a bottle in your bag. Again, it’s just simple and still so impactful. Goes without saying that it saves you money too.

6. Share these ideas as much as you can

Climate Change is a fight that can only be fought collectively. Don’t just practice these ideas but proudly let others know.

)

Pawan Gupta

Entrepreneur | Environment | Mindfulness

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade