Shopping. Buying. Consuming. Our over-consumption of stuff – especially things dependent on fossil fuels – is killing people and the planet.
Live Simply
What most people know
Global temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, sea levels are going up, and weather extremes like drought and severe storms are on the increase.
People living in the industrialized global north are the ones most responsible for climate change. Consumer lifestyles and the addiction to fossil fuel are the culprits.
What most people don’t know
Those hardest hit by climate change will be the poor in Africa and Asia. In Africa, food production is predicted to drop significantly, and as many as 250 million people could experience severe water shortages by 2020. In Asia, increased flooding in the delta regions will affect more than one billion people.
What can the world expect?
The poorest people on the planet, with the fewest resources, will experience incredible suffering.
There will be millions of "environmental refugees", as people are forced to flee regions that are no longer habitable.
The gap between the world rich and poor will grow.
There will be increased global conflict over these inequities.
Is this unfair?
Yes! That's why the peaceful revolution says: Get green and global.
Reduce, re-use, recycle, repair, rejoice – make this your mantra.
Be content with just enough.
Goodbye junk food
Eat what's grown nearby. Try the 100 mile diet.
Eat organically grown food.
Grow your own food or join a community shared agriculture (CSA) project.
Boycott foods that are processed and over-packaged.
Fast regularly to learn what hunger really feels like.
Park your vehicle
Walk, cycle, take public transport whenever possible.
If you are moving to a new place, choose a home within a 30-minute walk, bike or bus ride from your place of work or school.
Become a no-car or one-car household. Share your car with others.
If you must buy a vehicle, buy the most fuel efficient car you can find.
Plan a car "fast" for several days. Get your friends to join you.
At home
Take up less space. Share your place with others.
If you are moving, consider a '‘fair-share' house—one with approximately 250 square feet or 23 square meters per person.
Share your stuff. Why does every household needs its own lawnmower? Or newspaper?
Use alternative cleaning compounds made of baking soda, borax, and vinegars instead of toxic products. See Earth Trek for recipes.
If you are purchasing new appliances, make sure they are the most energy efficient models.
Staying warm (or cool)
Learn to tolerate a wider range of temperatures. Unless your health is affected, don't use air-conditioning if the temperature is under 28 degrees Celcius.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Insulate your home. Attics and basements are the most important.
Seal leaks around windows and doors.
Get that furnace looked after.
Having fun
Support oil-free entertainment. Go for a hike or bike ride.
Don't use gas guzzling toys like ATV's, jet-skis, snowmobiles and motorboats.
Go to the library, not the mall. Don't shop for entertainment. If you must shop, look into buying Fair Trade at a place like Ten Thousand Villages.
Take the 100-mile holiday. Vacation in your own province or state.
Question the need for a second home (a cabin or cottage).
The bigger picture
Learn about the global economy and the widening disparity between rich and poor.
Learn about how climate change is affecting people around the world.
If you are not poor, befriend someone who is. Become an advocate with and for the poor.
Support an organization that is engaged in narrowing the gap between rich and poor.
Urge your government to take strong action to limit carbon emissions and to help poorer countries lessen the impacts of climate change.
Vote for what will promote the common good - not just what will benefit you.
For more information, check out these resources, commissioned by MCC
