As confirmed by the 6th IPCC report "Climate Change 2022", the impacts of global warming on our daily lives are a reality. These impacts are already observable.
In order to fight against impacts that can only increase, an energy transition seems indispensable. This transition must be made globally, systemically and also on an individual scale. If voting for leaders in this direction is already a power at the citizen level, what can we do on a daily basis to contributing to the building ?
Here are some simple everyday actions for young and old to become a citizen who respects the planet: an eco-citizen.
Contents
Eco-friendly consumption practices
Since the second half of the 20th century, there has been a consumer society. This system of consumption as a vehicle for happiness has undoubtedly been one of the turning points in the climate change gap, in addition to the industrialisation of society. It has at least intensified and increased the impacts of energy on the climate to an unsustainable level. Therefore, consumer attitudes as a simple consumer can help limit our carbon impact.
On the one hand, it is a question of regulating food consumption. It is best tobuy localIt is important to be aware of the fact that the product is not a local product, and not an export product that has travelled around the world. Moreover, local or not, it is a question ofavoid food waste by buying what is necessary: less in the bin, more in the belly, less waste and savings.
On the other hand, paper consumption is a major source of waste, despite recycling. Putting a "stop pub" sticker on your letterbox can help reduce the proliferation of paper, especially on the ground when it ends up as waste on the streets.
All these attitudes are a double vector of change. On the one hand, they act directly on GHG emissions by reducing them. On the other hand, they enable the redirection of economic markets that respond to consumer needs.
Eco-friendly" actions
The link between ecology and economy is sometimes very strong, and can be an undeniable vector in the fight against climate change. If for some convinced people, the actions are easy, for others, less sensitive to the cause of the planet, these actions will also do a lot of good to the purchasing power. They mainly revolve around energy consumption, which has a considerable impact on the planet through its GHG emissions.
On the one hand, it is a matter of reducing electricity consumption through simple gestures: turning off the light when leaving a room, not turning on the light if there is enough natural light, turning off the television without leaving it on standby, not leaving the charger connected to the telephone without a telephone, etc.
On the other hand, it is a question of reducing water consumption, with two simple gestures as examples: turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, and giving preference to showers rather than baths which consume more water.
Finally, the transport sector accounted for 31 % of GHG emissions in France in 2019. In this sense, move towards 'clean' vehicles It is preferable to have a car that is not a car of your choice. State aid exists to encourage this choice.
Becoming an eco-citizen through simple gestures
If we are going to exploit the planet, we might as well do it by maximising its value. It is a question of making the most of the resources available to us in order to put an end to waste and the exploitation of new resources.
For example, it is worthwhile to always make the most of a sheet of paper by writing on both sides, or by using the back of a sheet of paper printed on the computer to make a draft sheet.
It is also mandatory to sorting your waste. A simple sorting of recyclable and non-recyclable materials does not require a huge effort, but the benefits are. Recycling is not using new resources, but giving the resource several lives. Sorting means recycling more efficiently and therefore consuming less energy, maximising the efficiency of movements, and limiting the working time of the men and machines that sort.
Il est aussi possible de récolter l’eau de pluie afin de respecter le hydrological cycle, ou de faire du compost pour son jardin, afin de limiter l’utilisation d’eau potable et de produits moins respectueux des écosystèmes.
Symbiotic eco-actions
All these attitudes are concrete, and go in the direction of respecting the relationship between the planet and the man who exploits its resources: from unreasonable and abusive exploitation, to a sustainable give-and-take.
The eco-citizen can also aim to push his attitude towards a symbiotic relationship with the planet he lives with. This is why it is important not to throw your waste on the ground, for example.
Respect the planet, and respect yourself, is the maxim of the eco-citizen!