With extreme climate change knocking on our doors, we cannot turn a blind eye towards it. Though the governments are taking various initiatives to handle the situation and cut-down emissions on a large scale, efforts are needed on an individual scale too. Two American climate warriors are actively lowering their carbon footprints and putting their piece of work into this by spreading awareness for the same. And their efforts are paying off as their footprint is now 1/4th of that of an average American.
As world leaders are preparing for COP28 climate talks in the UAE next month, environmentally conscious Americans are busy demonstrating the possibility to live in a way where they reduce CO2 emissions every day. They are presenting forward that it is not very difficult to make choices to align with their actions to benefit the country.
Bala Sivaraman
Bala Sivaraman, a resident of Washington, District of Columbia, USA drives his electric car around the capital buying used clothes and furniture. It was long ago that this 28-year-old young man gave up his gas stove and started using an induction to cook vegan meals.
If not for this purpose, he relies mostly on public transport and solar panel installed apartment. Moreover, he uses refurbished tech to further reduce carbon footprint from his activities.
In a news interview, Sivaraman said, “When we are inundated with a lot of climate doomsday news, it can be really difficult to feel we have something to ground us. What is so powerful about living a sustainable life or committing ourselves to zero waste living practices is that it gives us that sense of hope, because it reclaims our power.”
He works in advocacy, communications and environmental law. He uses his skills in writing, policy analysis, graphic design, and press relations to speed up the transition to clean energy, enhance protections for public lands, and promote environmental justice.
After an animal refuge party at his friend’s place, Sivaraman arrived with the compost at a local community garden and unlocks a sorting bin. He then places his leftover vegan hot dogs and paper plates along with other biodegradable inside relevant bins.
He told “This was from a party at my friend’s animal refuge the other day,” covering the pile with the dry brown waste to aid in the decomposition process.
Sivaraman further explains, “Composting diverts organic waste out of landfills, and it also helps foster a sense of common purpose and community.”
The matter decomposes in the presence of oxygen, so it produces very little methane that affects the climate. And after 6 months this nutrient-rich soil will be used by neighboring plots to grow cilantro, tomatoes, and other vegetables.
Presently, he is working at Earthjustice, a non-profit organization as Public Affairs and Communications Associate, Partnerships and Intersectional Justice.
Sivaraman, who is involved in direct action with the Sunrise Movement and was arrested for the first time in September at the Federal Reserve building in New York, stated that his health and well-being have improved since he started making climate-conscious choices.
According to Sivaraman, “Living a zero waste, sustainable life brings numerous benefits in terms of health, emotional well-being, and financial stability. I am a living example of this.â€
Also See: Climate Activist is Walking 2500-miles to Remove his Lifetime Carbon Footprint
Sim Bilal
21 years old Sim Bilal from Los Angeles, California is our next climate warrior from the USA. His actions were noticed when he disrupted the LA mayoral debates by demanding the candidates to release their climate action plans and became the local news headlines.
When all the other 16 years old were getting excited with their driving license he was worried that the environmental impact of obtaining a driving license was simply too significant to ignore, despite it being seen as a traditional milestone for American teenagers.
Usually, he opts for LA Metro and for short distances he uses his One Wheel, a self-balancing e-skateboard. Sim Bilal prefers wearing his clothes for a long time and does not go trendy and over purchase things. Also, he repairs and re-uses his gadgets following the policy of buying less and buying to last.
Sim said in a news interview, “It is hard because some things look really cool—maybe you want to jump on a trend, but for me, it’s not worth the cost.”
In 2022, together with Lorenzo De Felitta, he launched the Youth Interest PAC, the very first Super PAC dedicated to the interests of young people in combating the climate crisis.
Both young men, Sivaraman and Bilal live on opposite ends of the country and work as environmental activists. According to the self-estimates generated by Carbon Footprint, their carbon footprint per year accounts for around 4 tons. And notably this is below an average American’s annual footprint of around 15 tons. Just as these American climate warriors are actively lowering their carbon footprints, we can also do the same. All it takes is a simple step and a slight change in our day-to-day lifestyle and activities.
Source: How climate conscious Americans reduce their carbon footprints