Bianca Visagie
Earth Day is here (along with stage 4 loadshedding) and it is now more important than ever for us to take care of our planet. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 when a national demonstration to raise awareness for climate issues took place in the US. Since then it has been celebrated every year, with this year’s celebration taking place on the 22nd of April.
Recently, a UN Climate Change report placed the blame for climate change on human activity. The report states that major changes must be made at every level of the world economy to prevent already extreme weather events from becoming more catastrophic. The recent floods in parts of South Africa brings this issue right to our doorstep.
Why should we make personal changes?
However, you might be asking the question “can my individual actions really make an impact?”. Some argue that personal lifestyle choices don’t make enough of a difference, while others argue that placing the blame on corporations ignores the role that individuals play in climate change.
Unfortunately, it’s both true that taking personal responsibility for climate change is insufficient to address the crisis; and that individual action is essential to the climate justice equation. It might feel overwhelming to think that you’re taking on climate change alone, but if all 7 billion of us contribute, we might just make the world a better place.
How to make an impact at home
With the above in mind, here are some practical ways you can make an impact this Earth Day!
Delete your emails
It really might be just as simple as that. Spam emails, unwanted emails, and unread emails all contribute to carbon emissions. Every single email in the world is stored on a server, and those servers use large amounts of electricity. For example, if everyone in France deleted 50 emails, it could save enough electricity to power the Eiffel Tower for 42 years. Why not take some time this Earth Day to delete a few emails?
Take a break from your screen
Not only is it important for your health, but taking a break from your screen is important for the environment. Do some screen-free activities like walking, jogging, journaling or reading to save on power and improve mental health.
Turn off the lights
Don’t worry, Eskom has you covered. But try cutting down on the amount of power you use. Switch lamps off during the day, and give your computers some time to rest at night by switching them off now that it’s getting chilly, try switching out that electrical heater for gas alternatives.
Don’t replace your electronics every year
The manufacturing of new electronics, such as cellphones and computers, produces almost 60 million tons of waste each year. Maybe think twice before upgrading, and think about repairing your electronics instead of replacing them.
Keep going!
Our lifestyle choices can help to reduce carbon emissions, but to have a significant impact, we will need technological innovation and structural changes, along with strong environmental policies that are adopted on a global scale.
That’s why at Integrove, we are constantly striving to contribute in a meaningful way to the technology industry. We strive to develop technologies that improve the carbon footprint and minimize the environmental impact of large organisations. Get in touch with us today to find out how we can help you.
