Ujesha Vaidya,
Creative Writing Intern

“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”. – Steve Job

Why is it important to change your lifestyle?

There is a lot to (un)do and not much time. Sustainable development is a concept that we have been introduced to for decades, a goal we have been striving towards without achieving for far too long. The world is already tipping over the edge of monumental environmental change and the effects could be devastating. But we still have time to mitigate the effects of climate change and we have to do it Right Now.

Over-reliance on fossil fuels (non-renewable energy sources) is one of the main causes of climate change. It is also something we have yet to rectify. Phasing out non-renewable energy sources with alternative (renewable) sources has been in the works for quite a while. While goals to mitigate climate change have not been reached, the global average temperature has already risen to 1.1°C of the 1.5°C limit that the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) strongly recommends all countries attempt to maintain. The future seems bleak if we do not change significantly in the coming years. 

What should you do? 

The shift to renewable energy has been slow but ongoing for the past several decades. We have gained more knowledge on climate change (it’s causes and solutions) and advanced technologically (developing alternative/renewable sources of energy) over the years. However, it is not enough to simply have the solution at hand if it is not implemented.

How long do you believe the world can sustain itself on fossil fuels? Our guess is, not long at all and yet, more than 80% of global energy is still being supplied by fossil fuels. Gham Power is just one organisation in the world among many who aim to be a part of the renewable energy movement, to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for us and generations to follow. While governments set targets for themselves that they may or may not achieve, as global citizens and inhabitants of this world we need to start doing our part. You may be just 1 in more than 7 billion people but only through collective effort of each one will the world change.

Learn how to limit your carbon footprint:

• • Switch to solar. Depending on renewable energy sources such as solar for electricity is not only a greener and cleaner alternative but also a cheaper one in the long-term.
  • Find alternatives: replace your diesel cars with electric cars, scooters/bikes or opt for a bicycle. Even better, walk by foot whenever possible and get your daily exercise in by going green.
  • Stop wasting resources: turn the lights off when unneeded, save water and do not waste food. Efficient use of resources is important to reduce energy waste.
  • Limit Plastic use. Plastic, especially single-use plastic, is extremely harmful to the environment. Less than 20% of plastic is recycled and the rest either ends up at landfills, incinerated or dumped, all of which exacerbates climate change.
  • Learn about waste management. Follow the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), 5 R’s or as of most recently the 7 R’s of waste management. 
  • Lead by example. Encourage other people around you to make similar changes to their lifestyle. Support organizations that promote and take action towards sustainable development.

These steps are only the start of what you can incorporate into your daily life to reduce your carbon footprint. It is up to us to decide if we want to have a positive or negative impact on the planet. Change starts from ourselves. Ask yourself what you have been doing to fight against climate change? Have you made changes to your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint? And If not, what are you waiting for?

“The future will be green or not at all” – Jonathon Porritt

Contributed by Ujesha Vaidya