The year we left behind was a year in which we faced the consequences of the climate crisis such as temperature records and forest fires, and observed the transition from the "I believe/I don't believe in global warming" stage to the "the world is running out of life, what should we do" stage. Although we agree that a collective intervention is needed beyond "let's turn off the lights we don't use" in this situation, there are measures we can take individually.

What Can Be Done Individually

1. Raise Awareness

Although the level of awareness on the climate crisis is getting better, we still need to raise our voice for some changes. Therefore, we can contribute to the formation of public opinion and become a part of greater change.

2. Change Transportation Habits

The necessity of intervention in the transport sector, which accounts for almost 25% of greenhouse gas emissions, is not surprising. As an individual, building our transportation habits on bicycle and walking, and choosing public transportation when we need to use a vehicle are the most basic measures that we can take individually.

3. Review Food Decisions

Although the food sector is one of the most important sectors affected by the climate crisis, it also appears as the one that affected the crisis. In particular, reducing the consumption of meat (especially red meat) and milk, which is industrialized and has a high environmental impact, means a reduction of more than half of the carbon footprint from a food perspective.

4. Reduce Consumption

Being a part of circular economy practices by getting rid of the buy-build-throw model can contribute to the reduction of consumption in many areas. For example, we can take sustainable fashion beyond the label of “marketing” and get involved in recycling and second-hand use processes.

5. Energy Use and Efficiency

Replacing the tools we use with energy efficient ones can be one of the simplest steps to take in this regard. In addition, if there is none, immediate action must be taken for insulation. There are now many household uses for renewable energy. We can take advantage of these uses.

Fotoğraf: Markus Spiske: https://www.pexels.com/tr-tr/fotograf/iklim-afisler-kavga-acik-hava-2990612/