It’s summertime, you and your entire barkada have already devised ways to kill time and beat the heat. Are you going to hop on to the waves of a different beach just to cross something out on your #TravelGoals bucket list? Or are you going to binge-watch that K-drama you’ve been craving for since forever? But the real game changer this summer aside from your same old usual vacay antics will be none other than… climate change.

According to research conducted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2020 is the year when the Earth is going to hit its climactic tipping point. That means the
Earth’s climate has reached its threshold and anything that will happen after it is irrevocable and beyond repair. In 2019, Metro Manila recorded the highest
temperature with 36.6 degree Celsius. Not only are the summers getting warmer and warmer, but El Niños are also getting worse, wreaking havoc in farmlands and causing the country’s agriculture industry to drop at a sudden rate.

But, does this mean it’s too late for you to do something? Of course not! Always be reminded that a small change can make a big difference. And we all know that with these simple steps, you can change something to make this world a little better.

Check these exciting tips and activities you can incorporate in your lifestyle this summer. With all of these, who said that it’s not possible to help the community and Mother Nature?

Reduce your impact on the planet. A study proved that in 2017, 91% of the plastic in the world doesn’t get recycled and around 79% makes its way to the environment landfills.

Share

Think twice before throwing that old smartphone away or those hand-me-down pair of shoes. Somebody out there might be in desperate need of it. Consider donating your preloved and unused stuff to those who are less fortunate. You can help other people have a better future ahead of them. Check out and get in touch with the non-government organizations in your area.

Upcycle

Upcycling (unlike recycling which turns waste into a reusable material) turns waste materials into a product that is of high quality. Let your creativity reign as
you contribute to the DIY (Do-It-Yourself)culture! This will not only help you repurpose your old stuff but will also help you channel your self-expression.

Go Zero-Waste

Next time you go out for lunch, think of bringing your own utensils and reusable tumblers. Some cafés and restaurants are making their own way to becoming a zero-waste establishment by giving discounts to customers who bring their own cutlery and cups. A small zero-waste act like this can go a long way. It can also help ease your tight budget and excessive need for single-use plastics by always having those reusable utensils with you.

But be mindful of having to go zero-waste! Say ‘no’ to buying multiple items with an unrecyclable packaging. Avoid buying metal straws and tumblers that are packaged using styrofoam and redundant layer plastics. You know why? It beats the purpose!

You might think that it’s almost impossible to do anything at this point now. However, there are a lot of things you can do to show that you care. So, don’t hesitate to turn those baby steps into something grand!

Every drop counts

Water is one of the most important substance on Earth. Living things can’t survive without it. Sadly, water is also among the things we take for granted every day. But, don’t worry! As much as you take it for granted, it is also not that hard to save!

• While washing your hands, turn off the water while you use the soap. Same thing goes with brushing your teeth; instead of leaving the tap running,
  fill up a glass instead.
• Shorten your shower by a minute or two, and you’ll be surprised that you can actually save up to 150 gallons per month!

Maximize the power of social media

Bring your #FeedGoals to a whole new level. Take a picture or a video montage of a highly polluted area in your community. It could be an estero or a clogged canal. Then put up your best caption calling on the immediate actions to help alleviate the effects of climate change — no matter how small.

The 3R Principle

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. This formula has been continuously repeated to us since forever! However, history has also proven that it can deal with several environmental problems. Don’t forget to include these 3R tips to your daily mantra.

• Make sure you reuse the container of that bottled beverage you drank a while ago.
• Thinking of throwing away that research paper draft? Think again. It can be reused in so many ways — for jotting down notes, as scratch paper, or shred it and use it as a garden mulch.

Be politically active

Make sure that you are a registered voter and vote for candidates who take climate change seriously. Confirm your registration records by accessing the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) precinct finder through its phone number and email adress.

Landline: (02) 526-7769
Email: voters_id@comelec.gov.ph and itd@comelec.gov.ph 

Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon that goes into the air because of human activity. For example, doing something that burns fuel makes carbon dioxide gas in the smoke. Just like how you leave a footprint on the sand when you walk, burning fuel leaves carbon dioxide in the air, which is called the carbon footprint.

Our increasing carbon footprint is having profound effects on our environment. It makes our planet warmer which causes the sea temperature to increase, and that warmer water occupies more space than cooler water.

Disconnect to connect

Unplug your devices when they’re not in use or practice setting an alarm while charging your gadgets so you can help save your battery life and contribute to lessening your carbon footprint. If you want a different twist, how about going offline even for just one day? Go on a full-blown social media cleanse!

Reconnect to a better version of you

Can’t go on a one-day social media cleanse? That’s alright. It’s 2020, and to be honest, we all need to check our social media accounts once in a while — either to catch up on that long lost childhood friend or to check your kuya’s message. However, what you need to do is to be present at the moment. Take time to go for a walk, breathe, and slowly end your dependence on your smartphone and other devices.

It’s getting harder to see the silver lining on what we can do as an individual to resolve a problem on this scale and severity.

Climate change is a meta-problem that exacerbates the nightmares that keep us awake at night — from our failing grades and terror profs to how our budget is going to make it up to the next cut because of the rising prices of basic goods.

All of the research papers that have been written on the urgency of calling to combat climate change, the reforestation, and zero-waste efforts will be useless if we decide to remain neutral and stagnant in this time of crisis.

But, the good news is that you are not alone! People, communities, schools, religious groups, and other organizations are also fighting in line. So, don’t be afraid to tweak your lifestyle a bit, and use the handy guidelines we just gave you —because together, we can help protect our future!

Sources: https://activesustainability.com/climate-change/6-actions-to-fight-climate-change/ | https://climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-changeglobal-temperature