Those who are employed can all do simple things at work, or ask your employer to take action, to help reduce our carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and so mitigate their effect on the climate. Here are some suggestions. Feel free to add your own ideas in the comments box below.
- If you have a fruit or snack that you don’t want, don’t throw it out. Give it away to someone who needs it and is asking for help.
- Make sure your company uses energy efficient heating and cooling technology, and adjust the thermostat, lower in winter, higher in summer.
- Bike, walk or take public transport to work. Save the car trips for when you’ve got a big group.
- Organize a No Impact Week at work. Learn to live more sustainably for at least a week: un.org/sustainabledevelopment/be-the-change.
- Speak up! Ask your company and Government to engage in initiatives that will not harm people or the planet. Voice your support for Paris Agreement!
- Try to reduce waste, since most waste ends up in our oceans.
- Examine and change everyday decisions. Can you recycle at your workplace? Is your company buying from merchants engaging in harmful ecological practices?
- Know your workplace rights to ensure your access to justice.
- Corporate social responsibility counts! Encourage your company to work with civil society and find ways to help local communities reduce their carbon footprint.
- Mentor young people. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring and a powerful way to guide someone towards a better future.
- Does everyone at work have access to healthcare? Find out what your rights are to work. Fight against inequality.
- Women earn 10 to 30 per cent less than men for the same work. Pay inequality persists everywhere. Voice your support for equal pay for equal work.