This system has helped people for decades
Throw away less food.
This would be comparable to taking
495 million cars off the road.
Eat a plant-heavy diet.
This would be comparable to taking
464 million cars off the road.
Cook over clean stoves.
This would be comparable to taking
111 million cars off the road.
Compost your waste.
This would be similar to taking
16 million cars off the road.
Drive an electric car.
This would be comparable to taking
75.7 million cars off the road.
Ship goods more efficiently.
This would be comparable to taking
55.2 million cars off the road.
Invest in high-speed trains.
This would be comparable to taking
10.7 million cars off the road.
Switch to LED light bulbs.
This would be comparable to taking
54.8 million cars off the road.
Design more walkable cities.
This would be comparable to taking
20.5 million cars off the road.
Use smart thermostats.
This would be comparable to taking
18.4 million cars off the road.
Install green roofs.
This would be comparable to taking
5.40 million cars off the road.
Protect and restore tropical forests.
This would be comparable to taking
429 million cars off the road.
Plant more bamboo.
This would be comparable to taking
50.6 million cars off the road.
Return land to indigenous people.
This would be comparable to taking
43.4 million cars off the road.
Preserve coastal wetlands.
This would be comparable to taking
22.4 million cars off the road.
Harness wind energy on land.
This would be comparable to taking
593 million cars off the road.
Build solar farms.
This would be comparable to taking
259 million cars off the road.
Invest in nuclear power.
This would be comparable to taking
113 million cars off the road.
Capture the power of the waves.
This would be comparable to taking
64.5 million cars off the road.
Clean up chemicals in our refrigerators and air conditioners.
This would be comparable to taking
629 million cars off the road.
Building with "greener" cement compounds.
This would be comparable to taking
46.9 million cars off the road.
Use water more efficiently.
This would be comparable to taking
32.3 million cars off the road.
Increase household recycling.
This would be comparable to taking
19.4 million cars off the road.
Educate girls.
This would be comparable to taking
361 million cars off the road.
Increase access to family planning.
This would be comparable to taking
361 million cars off the road.
Close the gender gap in small-scale farming.
This would be comparable to taking
14.4 million cars off the road.
1. Manage refrigeration chemicals
2. Install onshore wind turbines
3. Cut down on food waste.
4. Eat more plants and less meat.
5. Restore our tropical forests.
See also: Simple lifestyle changes that help the environment.
Installing onshore wind turbines is a great way of getting renewable energy, as it has no fuel cost and no pollution.
According to Drawdown, a third of the things we raise and grow never actually make it to us. This wasted food contributes to 8% of our global emissions.
Among many other benefits, a forest ecosystem absorbs and holds carbon dioxide. However, currently tropical forest only covers 5% of our landmass, as opposed to the previous 12%.
Fly less ... and on fuel-saving planes.
This would be comparable to taking
35.4 million cars off the road.
Though they may cost more upfront, these bulbs last longer and use 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
Cleaner chemicals in our air conditioning and fridges could keep almost 90 gigatons of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
If we all drove electric vehicles and the electricity came from traditional power sources, emissions would go down 50% (compared to gasoline-powered vehicles). But do you know what would bring those carbon dioxide emissions down 95%? Solar-based electric energy!
Nonprofit organization Project Drawdown has ranked the most effective climate change solutions that can be undertaken by individuals, companies, or policymakers to help reverse this dire trend. And you'll be surprised by just how simple some of them are.
Browse the following gallery and find out the most effective ways to combat climate change.
Here's how you can help fight climate change
August 1 marks Earth Overshoot Day
LIFESTYLE Earth day
Climate change is one of the most burning issues of our time. Earth Overshoot Day marks the date that experts believe humans will use more resources than the Earth can regenerate in that year.
Nonprofit organization Project Drawdown has ranked the most effective climate change solutions that can be undertaken by individuals, companies, or policymakers to help reverse this dire trend. And you'll be surprised by just how simple some of them are.
Browse the following gallery and find out the most effective ways to combat climate change.