Committing to the Reversal of Global Warming: Starting with Just Ten Lifestyle Changes
By: Vicki Bohlsen, President
In the past month, I have interviewed a few guests for my podcast, “Taking Care in Business,” and now I’m thinking more intimately about the climate crisis.
In the Michael Lenox and Rebecca Duff’s episode, they discuss Decarbonization Imperative: Transforming the Global Economy by 2050. The content of the book emphasizes that climate change is a malignant force that will reshape our economy and society for generations to come and, that if we are going to avoid the worst effects of it, we are going to need to effectively “decarbonize” the global economy by 2050.
And in this sneak peek, I talk with Rachael Powell from Xero, a net-zero global company headquartered in New Zealand. The company’s approach to tackling the climate crisis is something we should all be learning from.
Bohlsen Group is carbon neutral. Yay and Bravo! BUT are we doing everything we can?
Is my household doing everything it can to avoid the worst of the damage that climate change could do to the environment, our food system, and human civilization?
There is hope that we can be carbon neutral by 2050, but it isn’t just about offsetting carbon emissions; we need to reduce emissions.
So, to get us all thinking about this from a practical standpoint, I am going to start by personally committing to TEN new things that I will do to help reverse global warming. I looked specifically into my daily life, and I came up with these additional commitments after reviewing this article in Fast Company.
1. I will use a line to dry clothes as much as possible. (All my neighbors are going to think I’m a European when they see me installing a clothesline in my back yard this weekend. And when I do need to use the dryer, I will make sure it is a full load – of course).
2. I will not drive around with excess weight in my car. (I had been driving around for weeks with all the donations I had to deliver. From now on, I won’t put them in my car until I am headed to the drop point. My car should only consistently carry excess weight when it is people)!
3. I will use brooms instead of hoses as much as possible. (And I will create my own “Swiffer” pads moving forward. I’ve already started making my own cleaning solutions).
4. I will make a concerted effort to use my pressure cooker and microwave rather than the oven. (I was stunned to find that a pressure cooker reduces cook time by 66% and a microwave saves over 50% of the energy of a stove. I love to cook, so when I do use the oven, I commit to making large portions for several meals).
5. I will lower the wattage in my bulbs. (In fact, I won’t even purchase higher wattages. I’ve already converted to all LED).
6. I will not buy unnecessary kitchen utensils ever again. (Buh’bye cantaloupe baller, cheese slicer and pizza cutter; you’ve been added to my donation pile. It’s a little embarrassing all the gadgets I have that I can dispose of).
7. I will collect and use rainwater. (I am still pondering all the ways I will use this, but one is to give to my two dogs. They LOVE to drink the rainwater from their outdoor bowls already anyway).
8. I will unplug unused electronics. (Admittedly, I am going to have to put little notes all over my house to remind me to do this one at first; but I will write the notes on recycled or reused paper)!
9. I will recycle deodorant containers. (I mean, never thought of this one. Easy peasy. More importantly, this has me thinking differently about finding grooming products with reusable packaging… hmmm).
10. I will support local environmental legislation by getting involved. (I will start by contacting elected officials and ask them what they are doing and planning).
Congratulate yourself on what you are already actively doing and commit to TEN more things. Then, ask others to do the same. Next year, add TEN more to your pledge and so on. We’ve got this!