The Most Impactful Changes You Can Make to Help Save the World

As climate change alters our world, our beloved outdoor adventures are starting to feel the impacts. Whether it’s less snow in the alps, brown, overflowing rivers, bushfires or sea-level rise, adventure and the Australian environment as we know it are already beginning to change. The gravity of the situation can feel so overwhelming and a bit heartbreaking.

So what can we do about climate change? 

Although big fossil fuel companies are overwhelmingly the ones driving climate change, we still have the power to make change by choosing not to support them. Not everyone has the capacity to make all of these changes in an instant, but everyone has the power to do something.

Here are 11 of the most impactful things you can do to help save the world.

Clean Your Money

1. Choose an Ethical Bank

Did you know that when you put your money in the bank, your bank actually uses this money to give out loans and invest in projects? A lot of banks lend this money to fossil fuel companies and other unethical industries. 

One of the best ways you can take climate action is to make sure your money is clean by switching to a bank that doesn’t invest in fossil fuels. 

First up, figure out whether your bank invests in fossil fuels or not. If they do, take a look at what ethical banking options are out there. 

Bank Australia is a great example of an ethical bank that invests in positive projects for the planet. It’s a certified B Corporation that avoids funding fossil fuels and instead lends out money for its customers’ homes and community housing, invests in renewable energy, and gives grants to not-for-profit organisations. 

It even has a conservation reserve dedicated to protecting native plants and animals, and because it’s a customer-owned bank, every customer is a part-owner of the reserve! Pretty neat if you ask me.

Once you’ve settled on a new bank, set up your account, switch your cash, direct debits, and pay to your new bank, then close your old account! Make sure you let your old bank know that you’re leaving them because of their investments in fossil fuel companies, for maximum impact. 

2. Choose an Ethical Superannuation Fund

Many superannuation companies also have investments in the fossil fuel industry. Market Forces can help you find out if the money in your super account is dirty and help you source a clean alternative. 

Switching your super over is also really easy. First, create a new account with your new fund, alert your employer that your super fund has changed, then your new super company will actually consolidate your super and close your old account for you. Easy as!

By taking these actions you’ll be removing money from the hands of fossil fuel companies and making sure it goes towards building a safer, happier planet instead!

Raise Your Voice

3. Speak to Your Local Politicians

The recent federal election made it unmistakably clear how much power your vote and voice have. The result of the election showed that people care about action on climate change, and now we can keep up the momentum by holding our elected politicians to account and ensuring that they’re making good on their policies and promises.

@li_anlim

You can message and tag politicians on social media or even better, write to them or call their office. It may be a bit out of your comfort zone, but listening to people’s concerns is literally their job!

After the election, you may have a new Member of Parliament representing your electorate, so update yourself on who they are and what they stand for. Find your current Federal Member of Parliament and the best way to contact them, and let them know what you think!

4. Chat With People in Your Life

It’s also important to have conversations with your friends and family about climate change. These chats can be a bit sad or maybe even awkward, but it’s so important to open a dialogue on big issues like this. 

Often people have concerns or questions that they’ll only voice to a good friend, and other times it’s just good to chat to someone who gets you. You never know what the impact of your conversation might be, you could very well spur someone to take action in their own life.

Read more: How To Have Conversations About Climate Change

Upgrade Your Home

Although a lot of us would rather be traipsing around outdoors most of our lives, sometimes we’ve gotta be at home, and the energy we use to power our household is a big part of the puzzle in curbing climate change.

5. Find a Clean Energy Provider

One of the simplest and most effective things you can do at home is switch to a green energy provider. You can do this even if you rent!

Some electricity providers have a huge focus on renewables like solar, while others still heavily rely on fossil fuels. The Green Electricity Guide gives a good rundown of which providers use what kind of power and how the electricity companies stack up in Australia. 

When you find a company you like, give them a call or sign yourself up online and they’ll even help you disconnect from your old provider!

6. Install Solar

If you own or are building your own home, investing in rooftop solar power is a great option. It’s the ultimate way to cut ties with fossil fuels in your home, and depending on where you live, you may be eligible for grants and rebates to help you cover some of the costs of solar panel and battery installation.

Revamp Your Ride

7. Make Your Next Car Electric

It’s no secret fuel is getting way more expensive and it’s probably put a dampener on your recent road trip plans. As the owner of a diesel 4WD, I certainly know the pain. So if you’re looking at updating your adventure car, don’t discount the option of a hybrid or electric vehicle. 

These are an increasingly attractive option for getting around cheaper and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Obviously, an electric vehicle isn’t something everyone can afford, but if you can, you should seriously consider it.

I was blown away by the amount of charging stations there are across the whole of Australia. From Cairns down to Tassie and across to remote North West WA has you totally covered. So if you plan it right, you could absolutely set off on a round Australia adventure in an electric vehicle. There are even powerful 4WDs that are completely electric for off-road enthusiasts!

8. Leave The Car Keys at Home

But you don’t need a new fancy car to reduce your petrol use.

Ask about working from home an extra day a week or opting for public transport if it’s available where you live. Extend your weekend bike riding adventures into the week and ride to work or school a couple of days (think of how much easier those weekend rides and adventures will be if you ride mid week as well!). 

Whether it’s walking, running, bussing or biking around, setting the car keys aside a few extra days a week will help your lungs, mood, wallet and the planet in the long run.

Clean Your Diet

Food production is another big contributor to climate change. When you take into account production, shipping, refrigeration, and storage of all that food, it adds up to a lot.  There’s no one-step fix for reducing our food impact, but you can help out by being selective in what you buy and making sure none of it goes to waste.

9. Cut Down on Meat

A great start is to cut out meat from your diet at least a few days a week. The meat and dairy industry contributes almost 15% of global carbon emissions which is pretty massive. If you do want to eat meat, consider the full supply chain and choose a company that’s doing its part to reduce emissions and improve animal welfare.

10. Shop Local

The same goes for fruit and vegetables. Opting for food that’s in season and grown locally, means it’s travelled a shorter distance to get to you, resulting in less fossil fuel production. You’re also supporting local growers, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a roadside stall or farmers’ market? 

Even better, get your hands dirty and grow some produce yourself! Even if it’s just a few herbs they’ll definitely taste better and give you a tonne of satisfaction.

11. Reduce Food Waste in Your Home

Shockingly, 7.3 million tonnes of food is wasted in Australia every year. Once food ends up in landfill, the time, fuel, energy, and money that went into creating that food, goes to waste as well. The best way to stop food waste in your own house is to check your fridge before you head to the shops, plan your meals for the week and write a realistic shopping list so you don’t end up chucking food out. 

If you’ve got space, keeping a compost bin at home is a great way to dispose of the scraps that normally end up in the bin. Then that natural goodness can go back into keeping your veggie garden pumping in the backyard! 

It sounds like a lot but you don’t have to do it all at once. Making small changes, one at a time is the best way to make new habits. Choose a couple of changes to start off with and once they become a part of your everyday life, pick up another one. 

Everyone has the power to make a change and if we all do it together we can shift the power away from fossil fuel companies. Start off now by heading over to Bank Australia and setting yourself up with a planet-friendly bank account!