droplets of rain falling over antarctic peninsula waters on march 25, 2022. (libby mohn)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nwitnessing climate change firsthand in a place so far away from the human-inhabited world hit me with massive impact. in the face of these monumental problems, it can feel like nothing you can do will make a difference. but as rob reminds us, believing we can\u2019t make a difference or that someone else will instead is the greatest danger of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\nthe conger ice shelf break occurred around the same time as the record high temperatures in east antarctica. (trenton branson)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nso, what can you do?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
i visited local refilleries to learn about sustainable replacements to daily products, such as bath products in aluminum containers, glass jars to hold cleaning supplies and reusable \u201cpaper towels.\u201d (libby mohn)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nclimate change is such a complex issue that it can be difficult to know where to begin and what can make the most impact. this is especially true since there are multiple related issues plaguing our environment at the same time, such as plastic pollution, excess waste and habitat destruction. i\u2019ve found that it is easiest to start wherever you can find the greatest sense of fulfillment from your impact. easily implemented but effective changes help break through the barrier to habit change people so often face. when i returned from antarctica, i had more motivation than i\u2019d ever had before. i felt where i could make the most immediate impact in my life was to move toward a less-waste lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
i swapped out my single-use bath and kitchen supplies for reusable alternatives. now whenever i order food or a drink to go, i bring my own containers or ask if they can serve me with washable dishes rather than plastic ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
here are some other simple action steps you can take now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nreduce your use of single-use plastics and swap them for reusable items<\/li>\n\n\n\n reduce your carbon footprint: limit flights, carpool, bike-ride or walk, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n join community environmental events, such as local clean-ups, climate action campaigns, community gardening events, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n invest your money responsibly around environmental, social and governance (esg)<\/li>\n\n\n\n make your voice heard by those in power and seek out leadership positions yourself<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\none of the most important things you can do is talk to others about climate change in your community. have conversations on what you\u2019ve noticed about the climate, share sustainable news and practices that interest you and discuss what the best ways are for you personally to contribute to climate mitigation. this can be the most powerful step of all. conversation is a necessity in creating change in this world. you could talk with your professors and peers about how sustainability plays a role in your area of study and engage with politicians through discussion and voting. the most valuable contribution we can give comes from collaboration: the exchange of ideas big and small, working and creating, together. united, we can make all the difference in the world, for the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
libby mohn reflects on witnessing climate change firsthand in antarctica and connecting it to her everyday life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11787,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4916,5034],"tags":[1423,144,81],"storyfest_categories":[],"class_list":["post-27075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-climate","category-storyfest-2023","tag-antarctica","tag-climate-change","tag-sustainability"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
antarctica is collapsing \u2013 what can we do? - planet forward<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n