If you ever feel that the steps you can take to reduce climate change have insignificant consequences compared to that of multinational corporations then the following facts will put things into perspective.  Seemingly mundane changes can make a substantial difference in stopping climate change and most of them are easy to incorporate into your daily life.

1. Commute wisely.

Transportation is responsible for a quarter of Canada’s greenhouse emission. If you ever pondered upon those one person vehicles during your morning commute, it may be refreshing to know that there are solutions! If public transport does not sound like your option, then initiatives such as car sharing, cycling or walking may be more suitable.

The environmental benefits are clear: every fully shared car takes four others off the roads, while walking and cycling produces no emission and have significant benefits to your health.

2. Eat ‘green’.

Buy mostly locally grown, organic produce. Your choice of food matters tremendously: a recent study found that the production of beef is ten times more damaging to the environment than the production of poultry or dairy foods.Eating lower on the food chain by adding more organic fruits and vegetables is even better: 18% of all greenhouse emissions are the result of meat and dairy production.

3. Choose renewable energy sources.

A recent report found that Germany now produces almost a third of its energy from renewable sources. This is an enormous growth from the 6% in 2000. The environmental benefits are vast and as Germany’s example shows, such growth is indeed possible.

What can you do to help? Easy everyday solutions such as domestic solar panels not only reduce greenhouse emissions hugely but could save you 80% of your electricity bill.

4. Use energy wisely.

Devices left on standby use 5-10% of all household electricity. Therefore, switching off and unplugging as many devices as possible could save the average household serious money. When buying new appliances look for energy efficient ones. Did you know that an average microwave oven uses 35 kilowatt hours a year simply by sitting in your kitchen unoccupied?

5. Don’t let polluters get away.

The Australian government’s latest actions in eliminating the country’s carbon tax comes as a great shock to the international community. The decision leaves the country (the largest polluter per capita amongst industrial nations) without a system to fight greenhouse emissions. To ensure such decisions are avoided in the future be informed and be ready to challenge politicians on their decisions.

Climate change has become a very serious issue that’s effects are already evident. From the shrinking of glaciers to the rise in global average temperatures the consequences are all around us. Therefore, immediate action is paramount and the power is in our hands. Climate change can be tackled and, for the sake of our future on this planet, we should all take individual responsibility in tackling it.