Climate change and global warming are our reality, and therefore require actions in which the action of all spheres of society is essential. Through the flow of information we receive every day, we can notice that, although we often focus on international agreements and state policies, climate actions in local communities have a key role in the fight against the climate crisis. Regardless of their academic orientation or sphere of interest, young people have a unique opportunity to actively get involved and make a significant difference in their communities through active work on sustainable development.
WHAT IS LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION?
Local climate actions refer to measures taken at the level of communities, municipalities and cities in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment, but also to adapt to the climate crisis. One of the key aspects of climate actions is adaptation – sustainable adaptation to the current climate crisis, and one of the good examples is investment in infrastructure that serves for effective and safe protection against natural disasters. An example of adaptation is construction, but investing in the development of green roofs – an initiative that serves to reduce the temperature in urban areas; plants absorb solar energy and release water, which cools the surface and the surrounding air, thus mitigating the impact of polluted air and precipitation.
Such actions can also include raising awareness about climate change, increasing energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy sources, reducing waste, sustainable mobility and increasing green areas. There are various ways in which you, as an active individual, can participate in the promotion and development of climate actions in your local community.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
The first step is to understand climate change and its impacts on the context of your local community. Ask yourself if you notice air, river or soil pollution in your community that you have an idea for? Or do you notice extreme weather conditions during different seasons – like heat waves? It is crucial to identify a specific problem in the local community, as this is an essential part of understanding the local context. After identifying the problem, the next step is to study the problem through available and credible resources, which certainly includes traditional and modern media.
Certainly, education and raising awareness are key because being informed is the key to taking purposeful actions. Also, dialogues, discussions and conversations with other young people in the local community, as well as organizing workshops, lectures or online campaigns can help educate members of your community about the importance of climate action and proactive action.
As one of the key climate actions, the application of energy-efficient technologies and practices in households, schools, buildings and public institutions significantly contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, initiatives such as the implementation of recycling programs and the reduction of plastic use help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, while the promotion of cycling, the use of public transport and other environmentally friendly ways of moving reduces traffic emissions.
Also, promoting an increase in the number of parks, local gardens and trees improves air quality and reduces the effect of urban heat islands. Volunteering and activism are the second most important way to involve young people in climate actions. In addition to joining local environmental organizations, which allows young people to volunteer and actively participate in projects aimed at protecting the environment, young people can also organize their own climate actions, which can start with cleaning and sorting waste, planting trees or waste reduction campaigns, depending on the local context. Also, participating in the local policy-making process can provide you with the opportunity to directly influence decision-making that promotes local sustainable development.
Connecting with local authorities and organizations, as well as advocating for sustainable climate policies, also has a significant impact.
EXAMPLES FROM PRACTICE THAT EVERYONE CAN UNDERTAKE
Making practical changes in your daily life is another key step. You can use energy-efficient appliances, turn off electronics when not in use, and choose locally grown food, but also avoid products with too much plastic packaging. Also, using a bicycle or public transport instead of a car also contributes to sustainability in everyday life.
Participating in local projects or initiatives at the level of your local community is a very important step. Get involved in school projects that promote sustainability, such as school gardens with herbs that will be used by your peers, learning programs about recycling, and energy efficiency. Organizing joint initiatives with members of your community allows you to work together on sustainability projects, which include different aspects. Raising awareness about climate change in your local community is a great step!
You can find inspiration in the examples of young people around the world who have made incredible changes in their local communities. Greta Thunberg and the ‘Fridays for Future’ movement have inspired millions of young people around the world to demand effective climate action from their governments.
Young people in Pune, India, have come together to clean up the Mula-Mutha River, organizing regular cleanups and raising awareness about water pollution.
Another positive example is a group of students in San Francisco, who founded an initiative to reduce the use of plastic in schools, which led to a significant reduction in plastic waste.
Local climate actions are vital to the global fight against the consequences of climate change. Through education, awareness raising, activism, participation in decision-making processes, but also everyday practical changes, you can contribute to creating a more sustainable future.
By getting involved in local climate actions, you not only participate in environmental protection and the development of climate actions, but you build more resilient, healthier and fairer communities for everyone.
Source: rolify.com
