How you can take climate action

How you can take climate action

PARIS: Individuals along with economy-wide efficiencies can make a major difference in the drive to avert the worst of global warming, UN climate experts say, estimating that sharp cuts to demand for energy-guzzling services could slash emissions up to 70 percent by 2050. Avoiding airplanes, eating less meat, insulating your home could all make a dent, particularly when broad swathes of societies embrace change, says the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

While research often focuses on cutting emissions in the supply of goods and services-energy generation, transport, agriculture, construction-the IPCC has for the first time dedicated a whole chapter of its climate solutions report to the demand that drives these industries. “Having the right policies, infrastructure and technology in place to enable changes to our lifestyles and behaviors can result in a 40-70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050,” said Priyadarshi Shukla co-chair of IPCC working group that produced the 3,000 page report. But where can “this untapped potential”, as Shukla calls it, be found?

Day-to-day choices

“Avoid, shift, improve”-these are the key ways to curb demand, the report says. You can avoid energy-intensive behavior, switch to low-carbon technologies and improve the efficiency of existing tech. In general, there