[imagesource: Shutterstock]

Over the past two years, aside from a few world leaders and climate change denialists on the internet, most people seemed to get on board with the idea that the planet might be on its last legs and could use our help.

It is the only one we have, after all.

If you had your sights set on Mars as a backup plan, I’m sorry to tell you that is going to be one hell of an uphill battle, if it ever happens at all.

Which brings us back to Earth, and what we can do to undo the damage we’ve done thus far.

The BBC looked into research that suggests that making simple lifestyle changes could go a long way towards decreasing our carbon footprint.

According to the research, the recent massive lifestyle changes that people have adopted around the world to limit the spread of the coronavirus is proof that we’re capable of shifting our thinking and actions when faced with a crisis.

Using the analysis of 7 000 studies on climate change, scientists narrowed the data down to 10 tips for reducing a person’s carbon footprint, some of which are relatively simple:

Image: Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions

Not everybody is going to become vegan, but implementing a few of the above options should be doable.

Here’s a summary of the above:

Top of the list is living car-free, which saves an average of 2.04 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person annually.

This is followed by driving a battery electric car – 1.95 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person annually – and taking one less long-haul flight each year – 1.68 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person.

Switching to a vegan diet will help – but less than tackling transport, the research shows.

It says popular activities such as recycling are worthwhile, but don’t cut emissions by as much.

The lead author on the study, Dr Diana Ivanova from Leeds University, says that “we need a complete change of mindset”.

“We have to agree how much carbon we can each emit within the limits of what the planet can bear – then make good lives within those boundaries.”

The first 10 steps for saving the planet cost very little and can be implemented immediately.

The next step is getting governments to enforce changes in myriad industries and environmental policies.

That might be easier said than done, but perhaps there is still time to get it together.

[source:bbc]