21.05.2020 10:12
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Survey reveals surprising result: This really helps against climate change!
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From
Jenny Moritz
Leeds – The Climate change is still on the rise. A new study now shows what each of us can do for the environment and climate.
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Long periods of drought can be a result of climate change. (Icon image) © 123RF / Lakshmiprasad Sindhnur
Since the beginning of the corona pandemic, there have been increasing reports that urban pollution is falling and that nature has been able to regenerate slowly.
The corona crisis has also shown that the majority of the population is willing to accept restrictions if they are necessary to save lives.
At the latest, if there is a vaccine against the virus, the world will probably return to normal and the positive effects on our environment will disappear as quickly as they were caused by Corona.
To prevent this from happening, a study is now showing the means by which each individual can do something about climate change.
At the top of the list is the topic of driving.
A car-free life can save an average of 2.04 tons of CO2 equivalent per year per person.
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Electric cars are an environmentally friendly alternative
Luxury jetliners like this cause enormous CO2 emissions. © 123RF / Jakub Gojda
If you do not want to completely do without a mobile pedestal, you should consider buying an electric car.
This saves at least 1.95 tons per year.
Flying is one of the environmental sins par excellence. That is why it is worth thinking about whether to exchange the flight for a train or bus ride.
The emissions of 1.68 tons of CO2 are avoided for each long-haul flight avoided.
A change in diet can also help, but is surprisingly much less efficient than rethinking transportation.
Vegans save just under 0.8 tonnes of CO2 every year, while public transport users already save 0.98.
By using renewable energies, 1.6 tons of CO2 are avoided each year.
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Dr. Diana Ivanova: “The whole world is suffering from climate change”
Dr. Diana Ivanova of Leeds University, lead author of the scientific study, told the BBC: “We need a whole new way of thinking.”
“We have to agree on how much carbon we can emit within the limits of what the planet can endure – and then live a good life within those limits,” she adds.
The above options can be implemented individually for each person without the need for controversial and expensive new technologies.
Her appeal is particularly aimed at wealthy people who fly far more often and own more expensive cars: “The whole world suffers from climate change, but it is not the average person who flies regularly. It is a small group […] It’s a moral question. “
Nevertheless, there are critical voices.
Professor Tommy Wiedmann of the University of New South Wales in Australia said: “This is a valuable study. However, it is only about the carbon footprint and not about other effects such as water shortages due to lithium degradation for electric car batteries.”
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Cover photo: 123RF / Lakshmiprasad Sindhnur
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