Countdown to 2041: Small steps for big impact
Famed polar explorer, environmental leader, and public speaker Sir Robert Swan and his son, Barney Swan, spoke with the SAP Silicon Valley community last week about their upcoming South Pole Energy Challenge. This November, the duo will embark on a history-making Antarctic expedition, walking 600 miles to the South Pole. Their journey will be the first ever powered solely by clean energy technologies, demonstrating that fossil fuels are not necessary to power human life even in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
Thirty years ago, Sir Robert became the first person in history to walk to both Poles. Through those expeditions he witnessed the fragile Antarctic ecosystem first hand, and dedicated his life to protecting it. He founded 2041, marking the year in which the world will re-negotiate the moratorium on mining in Antarctica, to inform, engage, and inspire the next generation of leaders. By uniting organizations, educators, and technology innovators who seek to protect our planet and create a more sustainable future, Swan hopes to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, thereby reducing the need to mine the natural resources of Antarctica in the years leading up to the moratorium.
If climate change is such a pressing global issue why does Sir Robert focus on the poles?
Recent weather events, such as hurricanes and tornados, are more intense due to seawater warming. However, we are like frogs in boiling water. We struggle to acknowledge the seriousness of minute increases in temperature until it is too late. It is difficult to perceive differences at home, but it is drastically perceivable in the North and South poles.
Sir Robert exposes people to the fragility of Antarctica’s beautiful ecosystem for themselves, bringing over 3,500 people to date, through his International Antarctic Expedition program, thereby helping others confront climate change face to face.
“We need to listen to what it is telling us, since our survival depends on it.”
— Sir. Robert Swan
But, what can we do?
While the big picture is important to understand, it can also be overwhelming. Personally, while I am passionate about the environment, I admit that I find the magnitude of the problem staggering and also confusing. In our busy lives, while juggling multiple commitments, it is difficult to make every single lifestyle choice a sustainable one. What’s more, it is not always possible to know which choices are the most sustainable. For example, is it better to buy brown eggs, organic eggs, cage free or vegetarian fed? And exactly how bad should I feel about taking a long, hot shower?
Little steps, big impact
From this perspective, I appreciate the solutions suggested by Sir Robert as part of the 2041 project. He provides high impact, yet practical options that are easy to implement in daily life. For sustainability to be sustainable, the ask needs to be realistic.
The initiative prioritizes 3 areas to focus on to maximize return on our investment: Transportation, Food, Community
Transportation
Making adjustments to our primary methods of transportation are some of the most impactful lifestyle changes we can make. Driving efficiently (30% fuel reduction), telecommuting, using public transport, choosing biofuels, and carpooling are the best ways to reduce carbon emission.
This year, both my husband and I decided to switch to a non-gasoline mode of transport. I was initially concerned about public availability of charging stations, and worried that I might end up stranded on a highway with no power (the term for this psychological phenomenon is range anxiety.) But we are able to find a compromise solution. I opted for a plug-in hybrid Prius Prime, while my husband chose the all electric Chevy Bolt. We installed a charging port in our home and take turns charging. I am happy to report that I hardly ever need to use gasoline. It is easier than I imagined.
Food
The next area of focus is to examine is our food choices and food waste.
The fact is, the carbon footprint of meat far outweighs vegetables. One report shows that giving up beef can reduce CO2 more than giving up cars.
We are a family of vegetarians, so this was not a big change for us. However, the area that I can improve upon is buying only what I need, and avoiding food waste. Sometimes, with very good intentions of making amazing meals, I get carried away by all the fresh produce and tend to buy more than I need. However, life intervenes, and the week goes by before I do. I also buy from stores that sell food in large packages. So, if I want tomatoes, I need to buy 10 tomatoes. I use 5 of them and the rest go bad.
A World Resources Institute study states that eliminating food waste by buying only what you need and eating everything in your fridge could reduce your personal carbon footprint from food by 25%.
The change I need to make is to visit smaller stores or local farmer’s markets for fresh, seasonal produce.
Community. Buy local
This is a great segway into the most fun lifestyle change I made in 2017. On most Sundays, my family and I go on a long hike and visit a local farmer’s market for lunch, and to shop for produce. This has numerous benefits. The hike gives us the chance to catch up from a hectic week while the farmer’s market provides us with local, fresh produce. We can see what is in season right before our eyes. No need to google it before going to the store. Usually the sellers are knowledgeable and will help you pick the produce that is right for you. For example, if I buy avocados, the seller can help choose the produce based on when and how I plan to use them (guacamole or salad, to serve immediately or later in the week). Putting that extra thought and effort into buying it, helps me remember to use it.
Best of all, the food does not need to travel far to get to me. Typically, a carrot will travel 1,838 miles to become part of a meal.
“ Among the range of simple actions that the average person can take to reinvigorate the local food economy are shopping at the local farmers’ market, asking their favorite restaurant or food store to stock locally grown foods, and building a few weekly meals around seasonally available foods”
Bigger Steps, Bigger Impact
2041 also offers infrastructure solutions to clean up CO2 and invest in renewables. These include suggestions such as planting more trees, and influencing public policy toward investing in renewable energy.
In the current global environment, it might be less likely that these infrastructure investments are a priority for policy makers. It is up to us and business leaders to act on enlightened self interest.
I was heartened to hear one especially empowering story - in India, a group of volunteers in a rural state of Uttar Pradesh planted 50 million trees in 1 day. If they can do it, we can too!
Lets continue the conversation
Share your life style changes to encourage and inspire others. Need ideas? Check out http://2041.com/solutions and see if there are any of the high impact solutions that you can easily incorporate into your life. If we act together, we can reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which will in turn, make it financially non-viable to drill in Antarctica.
“The greatest danger to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”
– Sir Robert Swan
