How To Help With Climate Change
In the wake of the recent IPCC report, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed regarding climate change and where we go from here. You’re not alone, a lot of people are asking "how can I help with climate change?"
Scroll for our top 10 ways to help with climate change!
“Eco-anxiety refers to a fear of environmental damage or ecological disaster. This sense of anxiety is largely based on the current and predicted future state of the environment and human-induced climate change.” - Medical News Today
These feelings of anxiety are extremely common and completely justifiable. We personally suffer with this frequently between us. We find that it’s extremely helpful to turn to positive outlook sources in these times of desperation and panic.
There are lots of opinions out there regarding climate change and whether individuals really can help. Well, we strongly believe everyone has a part to play and governments can't do it without us.
You can help in the fight for our planet against climate change. By reading, listening and watching it helps to gain a better understanding and allows you to spread the word to friends and family.
So we’ve compiled a list of our favourite films, podcasts, YouTube channels and other sources, that help to boost the eco-spirits when they need it most.
Here’s how you can help with climate change from the comfort of your own home…
How to help with climate change
Podcasts
Force of Nature - available on Spotify/on their website
A nine-part series meeting some seriously inspirational people when it comes to saving the planet. It’s time to switch eco-worrier to eco-warrior by listening to these uplifting stories of everyday people doing their part. Hosted by Clover Hogan, who “has been on the planet 20 years, and spent the past 10 working to save it”.
How to Save a Planet - available on Spotify/on their website
An informative and really helpful podcast that helps to break down a range of different topics into manageable chunks. While a fair chunk is based on case studies across the US, there’s also heaps of helpful information and two sided arguments to get us all talking, and that’s what we need right? Hosted by journalist Alex Blumberg and “scientist and policy nerd” (their words not mine!) Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, the duo make you feel optimistic about the future.
Sustainababble - listen via all good podcast hosting services plus via their website
Described as “a weekly podcast about the environment, for and by the confused.” This sounds like the place for me. Unlike climate change, this is meant to help instill a degree of humour.
Films/Documentaries
Documentaries are the perfect way to introduce others to a topic. They’re accessible (mostly via streaming services) and help break down the problem into understandable topics with tangible reference points.
Fire in Paradise (Netflix)
Unless you’re in the midst of wildfires, they’re really hard to comprehend. This documentary tells the stories of residents and first responders affected by the 2018 California wildfires. This is hard hitting truth and evidence.
2040 (Watch here)
If you’ve met us, you’ll know that we’re huge advocates for this film. When we were on our journey into eco-living, this was a pivotal piece of cinema that helped us to understand the problems our planet was facing but also gave us a serious sense of hope and encouragement to right the wrongs, or at least try. They also map out an optimistic picture for (kind of obvious but) the year 2040 and what we need to get to a positive outcome.
Kiss the Ground (Netflix)
A deep dive into regenerative agriculture and the quality of the soil we grow our food in. This documentary is narrated by Woody Harrelson, to send an important message: “by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies”. It’s a really interesting topic and it’s well worth a watch if you’ve started growing your own fruit/veggies.
Zac Efron’s Down to Earth (Netflix)
Ok bear with me here. This isn’t Efron’s normal all singing, all dancing role, but it’s close. There aren’t many A-List Hollywood celebrities that have used their power for good so here’s a huge chunk of my respect going out to Zac Efron and his companion in this series, “wellness expert” and author of ‘Superlife’, Darin Olien. The pair delve into various communities and discuss climate related topics such as pollution reduction, severe weather, renewable energy and even cryopreservation - all across the world.
Social Channels
Want a more gentle way to ease yourself into these topics? No problem. This is exactly where we started and combined with 2040, put us on the right track to living a more intentional lifestyle.
Head over to YouTube (which is perfect as it’s a free platform!) and check out Sedona Christina and Shelbizleee. Two amazing, low waste warriors who discuss multiple topics around caring for the planet including reducing plastic consumption, veganism, composting, rescue animals and homesteads, thrifted fashion and so much more.
Sedona Christina - YouTube - Instagram - TikTok - Website
Shelbizleee - YouTube - Instagram - TikTok - Website
Resources for children
It can be overwhelming to deal with the topic of the environment personally, let alone having to discuss it with your children. Here are a few ideas to help open up the floor for discussion…
What Sam Sees (Disney+)
An underwater adventure with scuba diving Sam, looking into the world of the deep blue. This allows children to look at eco-systems, coral reefs and specific topics such as injured turtles.
WWF Wild Classroom (YouTube)
Brining conservation and biodiversity to life for children, with experts sharing their experiences and knowledge. Check out their ‘All About Species’ and ‘Conservation in the Classroom’ series.
Top 10 ways to help with climate change
- Change your diet and reduce meat consumption. Try to eat seasonal and as locally as possible to help reduce food miles. Reducing or cutting out meat can have a huge impact on your footprint.
- Switch to renewable energy. It's an easy switch and often is cheaper to switch to a green energy provider!
- Switch to an ethical bank. Check out our blog post Staying Green In Quarantine from the first lockdown for more info on this.
- Plant trees! Apps like TreeApp and Treekly make planting trees easy.
- Reduce fossil fuel use by walking, cycling or using public transport as much as possible.
- Offset your carbon when you fly.
- Eliminate single-use plastics! Buy sustainable, reusable alternatives and refill your old bottles whenever possible.
- Increase awareness and encourage friends/family through education.
- Learn how to compost and reduce food waste.
- Think circular! Reduce and reuse to make our economy more circular. Make - consume - reuse rather than our current linear system make - consume - trash.
Summary
There are lots of reasons to feel anxious when it comes to climate change.
There are also lots of reasons to feel positive. This is an exciting time for humanity to pull together and transition to a greener future in the coming decades.
We have the science, we have the technology, we have the know-how. All we need to do is pull together, demand action from those in power, learn and educate, and start making changes TODAY.
For even more tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint, check out our answer on this amazing blog post by Porch.com (scroll to the bottom for our answer!).
If you have any other recommendations you think could be helpful to add to this blog post, please drop us a line on hello@greenpeareco.com
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