Global warming has been an alarming issue and unfortunately, people don’t pay too much attention to it. In spite of the 5 to 10-year deadline to save the world from climate change calamities, response and actions are still at a glacial pace. Japan’s Cabinet is mapping out ways to zero greenhouse gas emissions in the second half of the 21st century. Here are some ways to achieve that:

1. REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE
300 to 400 plastic bags are used around by each average person in Japan in a year, and a total of 40 billion for their entire nation. To prevent this from happening, withdraw from using single-use plastic bags and opt to carry around reusable things that you use daily such as metal chopsticks or mugs and eco-bags. This might be tough at first but as you force yourself to do it every day, it will be a no brainer routine in no time.

2. EVERYTHING COMES WITH A HIDDEN PRICE
In buying goods and commodities, always go for the toughest, finest, and most resistant option in which you can use for a very long time. In this way, you didn’t just help the environment from buying and trashing the same things repeatedly but also save your wallet from flattening. And if you’re only going to use something once, borrowing from a friend or from online sharing services would be the best option.

3. SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
People love to travel abroad but little do they know, traveling by plane also causes global warming. As an airplane takes flight, it fills the atmosphere with great amounts of pollutants such as dangerous carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. Soon, airplanes will release gigatons of it which will continue to damage our atmosphere. So, instead of international trips, locally traveling by bus or train will help us prolong the pleasure of having a greener planet.

4. CUT YOUR MEAT CONSUMPTION
Most people might disagree with this one but the livestock industry massively contributes greenhouse gases in our environment. This is not only because of the process of producing animals for food but making way for animal agriculture by cutting down carbon dioxide-absorbing forests also causes environmental damage. So instead of growing crops to feed animals that we’ll later on consume, it is more recommended to just set aside the meat and be the one who’ll eat the crops instead. In that way, we don’t only save the earth but also keep ourselves healthier.

5. AGITATE AGAINST FOSSIL FUELS
It is not a secret that big businesses and governments are the biggest contributors to pollution. Climate Accountability Institute found out that in just 90 companies which are primarily fossil fuel businesses, 63% of carbon and methane are released. We can help in solving this problem by using renewable energy for your home such as solar panels.

6. CHANGES START AT HOME
We are all waiting and asking for governments and big organizations to do actions about climate change. But instead of waiting for them to make a move, why don’t we start doing the listed ways on how we can help fight climate change? Practice what we want to see and preach what we practice. We can influence other people if they can see great results in what we do.

We only have one Earth so start making a great difference for it now!