My children, Christopher Kyobe and Tangaza, have made me reflect on the legacy I will leave them. This isn’t about wealth or achievements, but a far greater legacy for all of us: what kind of world will we leave behind for our children?This has led me to think and act differently, prompting me to write about climate change and how we can be better stewards for those who will come after us.
Climate change, simply put, refers to irreversible shifts in temperatures and weather patterns globally. This causes rising sea levels, rapid melting of polar ice caps, storms, unseasonal weather, extreme temperatures, and changes in plant and flower blooming times. Human activities, like burning fossil fuels for cars and factories, are the main cause, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere.
Electric cars can help combat climate change by reducing vehicle emissions by up to 43%. Even though they run on electricity, their lifetime emissions are considerably lower than diesel or petrol cars. With sustainable energy sources,emissions could be eliminated entirely. Transitioning to electric vehicles can significantly slow global warming, positively impacting our climate, ecosystems, and air quality. As someone with asthma, along with my partner Kirabo and son Christopher, air quality is particularly important to me.
If that isn’t convincing, switching to an electric vehicle can cut household expenses by more than half due to increased fuel efficiency compared to traditional gas-powered cars. Over an electric car’s lifespan, maintenance costs are thousands of pounds lower annually because there are fewer moving parts and no internal combustion engine. Another great reason to make the switch! I have, and I don’t regret it.
Even if you’re not ready for an electric car, there are many other ways to create a cleaner world. Saving electricity by turning off lights, insulating homes, and using energy-saving appliances or greener energy sources helps by reducing the need to burn fossil fuels.
Eating locally grown food supports the local economy and reduces emissions from importing and transporting goods.Visiting local farmers markets or even growing your own fruits and vegetables saves energy and provides fresher, tastier food.
Reducing waste significantly impacts our planet’s sustainability. We waste 30% of the food we produce globally, and a third of emissions come from agriculture. By buying only what we need, choosing products with less or more sustainable packaging, and recycling, we can reduce greenhouse gases by up to 8%.
We can also reduce waste from clothes and electronics. Sustainable clothing options and recycling programs are becoming more available. Buying secondhand items supports using existing products instead of pressuring manufacturing systems and the environment to make new ones.
As you can see, simple changes can reduce our impact on the planet and slow climate change. What will your contribution be to the next generation? I’ll be sharing my experiences and lessons over the next few months. Proud to have joined the climate change revolution!
