Global Connections

with David Suzuki

You can make a difference

Whenever I speak to an audience about the importance of protecting nature, the question most often asked is "What can I do?"

We depend on nature's services to clean our air and water, and keep our climate stable. But human activities take a huge toll on the environment. Making some simple changes to our everyday lives will help create a better world for our children and their children. The David Suzuki Foundation has researched the 10 most effective ways we can help conserve nature and improve our quality of life.

The challenge is to pick at least three steps. It's an easy and effective way to make a difference.

1. Reduce home energy use by 10%: A more energy-efficient home will lower your utility bills and reduce your impact on the environment. Heating accounts for nearly 60 per cent of energy use in the average home.
2. Choose an energy-efficient home and appliances: R-2000 homes use 30 per cent less energy than standard homes. Modern appliances save more energy than older ones. New refrigerators, for example, use 40 per cent less energy than models made just 10 years ago.
3. Replace dangerous pesticides with alternatives: Small children and pets are especially vulnerable to the dangers of chemicals.
4. Eat meat-free meals one day a week: The production and processing of grains requires far less water and land than does meat.
5. Buy locally grown and produced food: Buying locally reduces greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants from food transportation. One study estimates that the average meal travels 2400 km (1500 miles) from the field to your table.
6. Choose a fuel-efficient vehicle: A typical 4WD uses almost twice the fuel - and releases nearly twice the emissions - of a modern station wagon, although both seat the same number of passengers. 
7. Walk, bike, carpool or take transit: Researchers found the air we breathe inside our cars can be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outside.
8. Choose a home close to work or school: A convenient place to live reduces the amount you drive, which means you'll lower your emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. You'll also have more time to spend on things you care about.
9. Support car-free alternatives: More alternatives to the car mean less pollution, gridlock and urban sprawl.
10. Learn more and share with family and friends: By working together we can inspire our elected leaders to incorporate environmental conservation into public policy. A healthier environment isn't possible unless we all get involved.

• Visit Dr Suzuki on the web at www.davidsuzuki.org.