A Better Life for a Better World

We all understand that the earth is warming up at an unprecedented rate. We understand that this rapid global warming is a direct consequence of industry. We’re also aware that global warming can be slowed, halted, or reversed through a reduction in atmospheric greenhouse gases.

However, do we all understand that every one of us can make a difference?

Vast quantities of greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) – are released into the atmosphere every day by the agricultural, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and energy industries.

Industry may be pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, but industry is totally reliant on demand. Reduced demand for a product means reduced production. Therefore, while we’re consuming the products of polluting processes, we’re passively contributing to the pollution.

So how can we, as individuals, possibly have any impact on climate?

Reduce energy usage

Whether we’re driving vehicles, heating (or cooling) homes and offices, cooking (or chilling) food and beverages, or running domestic or commercial machines, we’re using energy that’s mainly produced from fossil fuel.

What effect does the burning of fossil fuel have on Earth’s atmosphere?

The burning of fossil fuel releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The gas retains heat, and the atmosphere gets warmer. As icecaps melt, sea levels rise. And with a reduction in reflective white ice and an increase in dark, light-absorbent liquid water, the rate of warming is accelerated.

The concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide would be even higher if it wasn’t for the fact that around 25% of anthropogenic carbon dioxide is currently being dissolved into seawater. A reaction between the carbon dioxide and the water produces carbonic acid, which lowers the water’s PH. Acidification of seawater can have a detrimental effect on certain marine organisms.

How can we make a difference?

Each of us can make a difference by:

• Insulating our homes and offices to retain heat in cold weather and exclude heat in warmer weather, helping to reduce energy consumption from heating and cooling appliances
• Sometimes substituting cycling or walking for driving
• Incorporating smart technology for remote monitoring and operation of appliances
• Choosing recycled materials

Eliminate single-use plastics

Each year, approximately 15 billion kilograms (33 billion pounds) of plastic enters the marine environment. Many types of plastic take hundreds of years to break down by photodegradation. This means that most of the plastic that’s ever been produced is still in existence, and the level of oceanic pollution is growing at an alarming rate.

What harm does plastic do to oceanic ecosystems?

• Mammals, birds, and reptiles can become entangled in plastic items like fishing nets and carrier bags. The animals may die of asphyxiation
• Animals sometimes ingest plastic fragments, mistaking them for food, and feel sated. An animal that’s ingest plastic may die of malnutrition
• By-products of plastic degradation can have detrimental effects on some marine animals’ reproductive systems. This can affect the population of the species
• Larger pieces of floating plastic will partially block out sunlight, preventing light from reaching marine plants, which are the foundation of food chains and essential providers of oxygen. The death of these producers has a huge effect on marine ecosystems

What can we do about it?

The less demand there is for plastic items, the less plastic will be manufactured.

One thing we can do is to reuse and recycle the plastic that’s already in existence. For example, we can reuse plastic bags and bottles, and we can buy second-hand clothes; and where the plastic is of no further use to us, we can dispose of it in recycling bins. However, plastic’s long polymer chains, which give the material strength and flexibility, are partly broken down in the recycling process, which means that it must be combined with virgin material to be of any good.

A more effective strategy is to choose alternatives to plastic. For example, we can buy:

• Clothes and soft furnishings made of natural fibres such as cotton, wool, and linen, rather than polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, and polyethylene
• Wet wipes made of plant material like cotton or bamboo, rather than the usual polyester or polypropylene
• Cosmetics – exfoliators in particular – that don’t contain microplastics, which are washed away in wastewater and end up in the ocean
• Compostable beeswax wraps made from cotton or linen to replace cling film, which is made from polyethylene
• Loose-leaf tea rather than teabags, which usually contain a thermoplastic for strength and sealing properties
• A reusable shopping bag to take the place of disposable plastic carrier bags

For businesses, one of the most effective ways to eliminate the demand for single-use plastic is to install a smart, low-energy, mains-fed water dispenser. You can even enjoy fresh, zero-calorie fruity flavours with Aqua Libra Co’s unique Flavour tap.

Eat a vegan diet

About 38% of Earth’s land surface is used for agriculture, and around 66% of this farmed land is grazing pasture for livestock. The remaining farmland is cropland – approximately 33% of which is used to grow feed for livestock.

How does animal farming impact the environment?

More than two thirds of the world’s agricultural land is used for animal farming, and much of this space was at one time forested.

Deforestation means loss of habitat for wildlife, potential extinction for some species, and a rise in the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the loss of photosynthesising plant life.

There are around 1.5 billion domesticated ruminants (mainly sheep and cattle) in the world today, all emitting methane as a by-product of enteric fermentation. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential (GWP) of 28 to 36, which means that a methane molecule can hold 28 to 36 times as much energy as a carbon dioxide molecule. Methane, however, doesn’t have the longevity of carbon dioxide.

Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the concentration of atmospheric methane has increased by about 150%, and it’s estimated that at least 40% of anthropogenic methane is produced by agriculture.

How can we help to change world agriculture?

Reduced demand for animal-based products will lead to a reduction in animal agriculture.

Each of us can:

• Substitute plant-based milk, such as soya, rice, oat, or almond milk, for dairy milk. Many Brits have already cut out dairy milk from their diet
• Stop eating meat. Research shows that 58% of adults in the UK are using plant-based meat alternatives

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Live a better life for a better world.

If you’d like to talk to us about energy-efficient, mains-fed water dispensers, email hello@aqualibra.com or give us a call on 0800 080 6696.