Think Globally, Shop Locally

KPU environmental protection technology chair explains how to combat climate change

“There’s a lot of stuff we can do better, but we have to do it together,” says Dr. Paul Richard, the Environmental Protection Technology Chair at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Aside from the obvious recommendations—turn off your electronics when they aren’t in use, walk more than you drive, and remember to always recycle—Richard suggests limiting your beef intake and being more informed and vocal about global warming.

“Industrial produced beef has an enormous impact on the environment and climate,” says Richard.

One of the most manageable ways to do your part is to reconsider how much meat and dairy you consume. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), livestock account for approximately 18 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

Cattle burp a ton of methane gas, but by decreasing your own beef intake and encouraging others to do the same, the demand will drop. Over time, less bovine flatulence will be released into the atmosphere.

That’s not to say that meat and dairy are bad for you. It’s the production process that destroys the Earth. When you do buy meat or dairy, make sure to opt for buying local, organic, farm fresh, grass fed varieties.

“You’ll always have certain staples you buy, but have special items like meat that you buy better,” suggests Richard.

It may be more expensive, but you’ll be supporting your local community in addition to helping slow down a climate catastrophe.

If you can’t imagine a life without bacon, try to challenge yourself to at least one meat-free day per week. There are plenty of vegetables and herbs to help flavour and spice up your dishes.

Other manageable ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include cleaning out your car and driving at the speed limit. Aside from abiding by the law, driving at the speed limit actually reduces the amount of fuel you use, effectively reducing your CO2 contribution.

While advertising doesn’t directly contribute to global warming, the sway it has over us is huge. It is entirely possible to live a more meaningful life with fewer possessions.

Try to shop less, but shop more meaningfully. Instead of larger chains, like Starbucks, try a local, smaller company. A handmade item from a farmers’ market or craft fair can be a far more beautiful and meaningful gift than something mass-produced from a department store.

All these changes are great habits to get into when considering the well-being of our planet, but as Richard puts it, “There’s always a limit to what an individual can do. We can only solve this collectively.”

Perhaps the best thing anyone could do for the cause is to get involved and be vocal about the problem at hand.

Richard suggests working with organizations already dedicated to the cause, such as Greenpeace Canada. Volunteering a few hours per month looks great on a resume, and it can feel incredibly empowering to know that you’re helping to support a good cause.

Call your local MP and be persistent. “Convince politicians to do something that has a positive effect on the environment,” says Richard.

Individually it is nearly impossible to avoid the problems we face from climate change. However, by electing leaders who care about the environment, we can collectively make a difference. With government funding, we can cut down the amount of emissions from our waste, create more local jobs, and boost our economy.

Be an advocate and set an example. Focus on having your voice heard while you shift into living a more sustainable, meaningful, and environmentally conscious lifestyle.