ClimateActionLongTerm
Just to put this in context, the UN Secretary General is calling for radical changes. So while our obvious reaction might be, "I can't do that!", it's definitely worth looking at it anyway and can't do any harm
Lifestyle Basis
Much sociological research puts our CO2-emissions-influencing decision-making into the category "lifestyle". How much we fly, eat meat and drive cars. One lifestyle choice is rarely mentioned, presumably because it is inherently long-term and therefore difficult to influence. New research from the University of Westminster shows how our housing and community choices effect our carbon footprint:
Presentation from Penny Clark penny@consciouscoliving.com on creating an environmental policy for a cohousing group https://www.canva.com/design/DAFDDTA3Zs8/C7twUGR6fGRf4jOHfUKO9g/view
Podcast series on cohousing: https://www.consciouscoliving.com/podcast/
The post-WW2 evolution of our home and housing lifestyles has been driven essentially by money on the one hand, and by the lack of an equivalent development in people's understanding and trust in each other on the other hand. Society leans heavily on the ideal of each private person or atomic family being completely independent and relying 99% on their income to solve all their needs. Sharing and the idea of having someone else to blame for your problems when issues arise - this is unnecessary and apparently undesirable, exacerbated by advertising and marketing targeting individuals at every step of our lives.
Research shows that there are some very desirable aspects to more community-oriented housing. There are significant gains to be made in personal environmental impact reduction through sharing resources and investment.
Hornbeam - an eco centre in London http://www.hornbeam.org.uk/
Adaptation to Climate Change
What are we dependent on for our everyday lives and will it be dependable in the future? For example, the COVID pandemic and the current wartime energy price explosion have exposed some of the weaknesses in the way our consumer society operates. Is the government learning from this and what does the evidence point to?
How can we hedge our bets? We don't & mostly can't just give up our jobs and start preparing for the collapse of the state!!! Maybe learn a new skill so you have a fall-back, e.g. eco-retrofits with renewable energy, insulation & so on. Spinning & weaving. Cabinet making. Pottery.
Holidays: two distinct subcategories (1) go on a farming holiday WWOOF or some other type of volunteer project, or (2) go on a "Last chance to see" holiday (coral reefs are big)
House: if buying a house, it's wise to ascertain its exposure & ability to cope with: droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, city fires, river flooding, groundwater flooding or dessication, flash flooding from extreme rainfall, coastal flooding, coastal erosion, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, local ecological factors
Changing How We Think as well as What We Do
- Being more organised and wasting less time & resources - my favourite the Seven Habits based on the book "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" - obviously very American, but also an excellent framework. Any alternative suggestions?
- Being a better person (because a better person will want a better world). While being a better Christian helps, it also helps to know the mundane psychological management methods that are out there, e.g. Chimp Management (this is very British!)
- Lowering our long term impact on the health service by maintaining mental and physical health
- cardio-vascular fitness - a couple of different exercises (e.g. just jogging will knacker your knees)
- altering our diets e.g. 5:2 fasting (my favourite - any other suggestions?)
- less resources
- healthier outcomes
- holistic
- yoga
- tai chi
- chi gung
- hiking
- meditation
- mental - pushing yourself out of your comfort zone by taking up & trying to master something new
- language
- musical instrument
- academic subject
- mental games - chess, go, poker
- artistic endeavour
- making, e.g. clothes, basket weaving, woodwork