Nature of Becoming
Nature
Various philosophies and solutions exist for tackling the environmental crisis. This section focuses on practical steps individuals can take. Veganism is highlighted because it aligns with the website's focus and is among the most impactful daily choices people can make.
Energy, innovation, education, and wild cover a variety of solutions that can be integrated into your own practices and support others in making a shift.
Veganism
Veganism has implications not only for animals and our health, but also for the environment. For some, it is a philosophy that focuses on healthy eating; for others, it is an ethical decision that permeates many aspects of their lives. The vegan solution addresses issues in our animal agriculture system, contributes to restoring ecological balance, and allows us to align our actions with our values.
Impacts on the Environment by Becoming Vegan
Green House Gas Emissions
Agriculture accounts for 21% of the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by humans, according to Improve Diets.
Is being vegan REALLY better for the environment? - BBC News explains how moving away from animal agriculture lower emissions.
Land and Water
The Veganism could save the planet. Here's why video show how factory farming contributes to deforestation.
It references the Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers study.
How does animal agriculture affect the planet? video provides overall effects.
Biodiversity
Loss of wildlife habitant effectives pollinators, such as birds, bats, bees, butterflies, wasps, and beetles, which are required for 88% of food, flowers, and balanced ecosystems.
Out of the 31,000 edible plant species, nine species account for two-thirds of our production, according to Plant Diversity
Energy
As individuals, there are several ways we can positively impact the climate. For example, choosing renewable energy sources for our homes, like solar panels and water heaters, using LED lighting and Energy Star appliances. Suppose solar panels are not an option due to the home setup. In that case, many electric companies offer renewable energy options that may source energy from solar farms, hydro plants, or offshore wind turbines. Even selecting recyclable insulation and weatherizing our residences can make a difference.
When leaving our homes, we can opt for public transport, walking, or biking to reach our destinations. Electric vehicles are also an option.
The way we vote and consume are also important factors, such as reducing our buying frequency and energy use while investing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) portfolios.
There are many resources and initiatives to address energy alternatives, such as Energy, Heat Pumps, LED Lighting, Offshore Wind Turbines, Wind, Solar, and Electrify Everything.
Additionally, transportation has many options like Micromobility, Urban Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Enhance Public Transit, Mobilize Electric Cars, Mobilize Hybrid Cars, and Mobilize Electric Bicycles.
Education
Education can take many forms in response to the climate crisis. For example, enrolling in formal university programs that focus on the environment, such as climate science or sustainability. There are also formal and informal opportunities within communities, like continuing education courses, museums, or community gardens.
Online learning offers opportunities to connect with people worldwide and provides access to options that may be unavailable to some due to physical limitations, financial or time constraints. This platform allows for discussions on a global scale and introduces perspectives that might not have been considered before
Environmental education can also be shared with friends, peers, and family through conversations and amiable debates.
Resources
A challenging yet vital aspect of the climate issue involves Population with estimates ranging from 7 to 15 billion people by 2100. It is crucial to ensure that young girls worldwide have the knowledge and ability to make their own choices regarding family planning.
Urban Farming is also an educational opportunity to bridge relationships with one another and the land.
Awareness of Reduce Food Loss and Waste and Food state that one-third of the food produced is not consumed.
Innovation
Innovation encompasses a range of solutions, from vertical farming, lab-grown meat, the expansion of legalizing personhood to nonhumans, and other emerging developments. It considers current research aimed at addressing the climate crisis and what our future might hold. A closer look at some of these reveals that they may not be sustainable or viable options, but it’s about trying varied approaches on multiple fronts.
Resources
Deploy Vertical Farms is not recommended by Drawdown, because it’s energy-intensive with minimal carbon benefits. Personhood for biotic, like dolphins and abiotic, like rivers is a creative way to provide legal protection for non-humans. Additional advances with pros and cons, such as lab-grown meat and adopting new technologies continue to grow.
From a community perspective, Fifteen-Minute City provides a neighborhood with all essential amenities nearby. Thoughtful City planning has become part of the discussion.
The goal is to produce clean air, restore forests and habitats, cultivate nutrient-rich soil, and rebuild healthy oceans. It's an ecosystem from the air to the depths of the sea that needs attention and regeneration.
Resources
Agroforestry and Silvopasture (including animals) create ecosystems that resemble those in nature. The Planet resource examines traditional and emerging concepts, like Regenerative Agriculture to heal the earth.
For the forest, Afforestation is used to introduce trees where they were not before, end the destruction of Tropical Forests, and protect existing forests through Proforestation. Protect Forests resource also provides data on this initiative.
Various methodologies are being developed for farming, such as Animal Integration, although there are opposing opinions to Increasing Livestock Grazing. Other initiatives build the soil, like Land Restoration, Annual Cropping, and Improving Nutrients.
Some want to expand seaweed forests through Seaforestation, while others question the effectiveness of Deploying Ocean Fertilization.
Wild
For more, visit the Environment page, and the websites where many of the resources originated:
Regeneration, Drawdown, and Earth Overshoot Day