Yes, but these are things I would do anyway, irrespective of climate change. Perhaps it was the way I was brought up, but it seems quite instinctive to me not to be wasteful.
I took a look at what Microsoft Copilot suggested and discovered that I already do most of these. I don’t purposefully have a meat-free meal once a week or shop locally, but I end up doing it to some degree anyway. But I’m reminded now of the benefits of doing it.
- Reduce single-use items: Carry a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bags to cut down on waste.
- Be mindful of energy: Turn off lights, electronics, and appliances when not in use. Bonus points for switching to LED bulbs.
- Eat more plant-based meals: Even one meat-free day a week can significantly reduce your carbon footprint.
- Buy local or seasonal: Support farmers’ markets or local shops to reduce transportation emissions and packaging.
- Walk, cycle, or take public transport: It’s good for the planet and your health.
- Compost food scraps: Keeps waste out of landfills and enriches soil.
- Use what you have: Repair, repurpose, and get creative before buying new things.
I don’t know how much of an impact all this has. But as a Christian, I am aware that humans have been given the task of caring for creation. Whether or not you take Genesis literally, God clearly intended us to know our duty in this respect:
Gen 2:15
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
I’ve just returned from a holiday at the seaside. Just as I’d want to leave the beach, or my rented home, in a clean state, whenever it’s time for me to complete my life on earth, I would like to think that I’ve done my small part in making it a better place. Science and technology have brought great benefits, but as we learn about its negative effects, we can tweak how we use it to help ensure that it’s truly beneficial. We sometimes get annoyed at bossy environmentalists and climate change protestors who adopt a cause because it gives them an opportunity to be nasty to people. But I just ignore such people. I wouldn’t want to not live a sustainable lifestyle out of contempt for them 😀.
I’ll close with two hymns about the beauty of the earth. Let’s keep it beautiful:
Hibernia Gospel 