What is the most effective action individuals can take?
Most experts (76%) came out in favour of voting for politicians who commit to taking strong climate action, in both national elections and, in the case of Europe, continental ones.
It should be remembered that this is an election year for many countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, India, the European Union, Mexico, South Africa and others will go to the polls.
“The science is there, but the lack of political will around the world is delaying action on climate change.” The words of Prof. Alexander Milner of the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom are shared by the majority of experts.
Is it useful to cut down on flying?
The second choice for the most effective individual action, according to the experts, is to reduce air travel and fossil-fuel transport in favour of electric and public transport. Not only did 56% back it, but two thirds of the scientists surveyed said they had reduced the number of flights they take.
The experts point out that flying is the most polluting activity an individual can undertake, as well as making up a large part of the carbon footprint of “rich” nations. Globally, the “super emitters” who fly frequently, representing just 1% of the world’s population, cause half of aviation’s carbon emissions. It is American air passengers who have by far the largest carbon footprint among rich countries.
Can eating less meat help?
Meat production has an enormous impact on the environment. Most people in rich countries eat more meat than is considered healthy, and more than 60% of the scientists said they had reduced their meat consumption.
Almost 30% of the experts said that eating less meat is the single most effective individual action for the climate.
A not much smaller share argued instead that the first thing to do is to cut emissions from heating or cooling homes, for example by installing heat pumps.
Is protest an effective form of climate action?
Another important topic, because it divides public opinion even among those who are sensitive to environmental issues, between supporters and opponents of public protests and street demonstrations, sometimes accompanied by dramatic gestures.
Almost a quarter of the scientists answered yes, saying they had taken part in climate protests as citizens deeply concerned about global warming. They are experts from every continent, including the United States, Argentina, Germany, Bangladesh, Kenya and Australia.
Is there anything else we can do?
While 12% of the experts supported the need to have fewer children, others gave different answers. “Talking about the climate as the main existential threat to the stability of society,” said one of them. Or “moving savings or pension funds from fossil-fuel investments to green ones” was another answer given by several experts.
The British expert Vanesa Castán Broto suggested “stopping working for the fossil-fuel industry”. A scientist from Cameroon recommended “avoiding products responsible for deforestation, such as some beef, timber and cocoa”.
Can individual action really help?
On this crucial question, many experts wished to stress the limits of action by individuals and private citizens. One shared view is that it “can only go so far. Rapid and deep cuts to carbon emissions from oil and gas, as well as from other sectors such as transport, which are outside the control of the individual, are necessary”.
“Individual action can only be a drop in the ocean: only systemic change will be enough.”
Prof. Hiroyuki Enomoto of Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research stands apart from this position: in his view, individual actions, “although they have a small impact, are important for raising collective awareness of the problem”.
Are scientists getting personally involved?
The answer is yes, and it is explained by the fact that concern in the scientific world is extremely high. Many of the experts consulted foresee catastrophic levels of global warming in the near future; for this reason, they are shifting their focus from the physics of the climate system towards actions that slow global warming and protect people from climate impacts.
Numerous scientists said they had given their time as expert witnesses in climate change lawsuits; others said they were helping groups to develop new climate policies. Still others are stepping up their efforts on projects with vulnerable communities “so that they improve their adaptation to climate change, whose impacts are already under way and will increase in the future”.
Some choose to devote at least half of their time to promoting concrete action and not just research, such as one scientist who is chief science officer of a company engaged in responsible reforestation. “There are so many people on the ground who care and want to make a difference; this is truly encouraging and spurs me on to do it.”
