Shopping and Consumer Choices
The Frog will explore The Climate Action Handbook: A Visual Guide to 100 Climate Solutions by Heidi Roop in the first 100 days of 2024
In the first `100 days of 2024 we will explore 100 climate solutions that may “empower you to evaluate, engage, and act” to address on-going climate change as an individual on your terms.
We have all grown up with a linear economy. The manufacturing and consumption premise of the US since World War II is predicated on taking raw materials from the earth, using energy to fashion some product, selling that product to a consumer, who uses it for its useful life, and then discards it. This was the deliberate choice of a burgeoning economy, which was different prior to the war and through the Great Depression when “reduce, reuse, recycle” was the paradigm
It needs to be so again. The energy and waste cost of a linear economy is by its very definition unsustainable given the finite resources on the planet. Also given that we are burning fossil fuel the drive the manufacturing engine for a linear economy and that is a significant source of the greenhouse gas pollution in our atmosphere.
So to continue to exist on this planet we must rapidly evolve to a circular economy where not only the materials that make up our products are kept in circulation, but the energy to drive the manufacturing is as close to net zero as possible. Clearly this is complex and will require a major overhaul almost all aspects of our current economy.
For a full exploration of the circular economy, I encourage you to look to the Circular Economy Program at the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST). I have had the privilege of interacting with Dr. Kate Beers, the Director of the program. The NIST team is leading the approach to a transition away from how we currently product products to one where the “atoms and molecules that make up those products repeatedly cycle within the economy and retain their value”.
So we exist in a largely linear “throwaway” economy. Enough techno-economic analyses have been done to highlight the benefits in addressing climate change of alternative approaches, including:
- Direct reuse of products – 100% reduction in GHG emissions
- Repair – 93-99% reduction in GHG emissions
- Refurbishment – 80-99% reduction in GHG emissions
- Remanufacturing – 79-99% reduction in GHG emissions
These actions are personal and effective. By working to reduce our overall consumption and seeking to use refurbished and remanufactured goods, we can have a significant impact on our individual emissions and model behavior for our friends, family, and community. Already there are sharing communities sustained by social media. For instance we have a local group that models the Buy Nothing Project where everything is shared freely in the community. No strings. Free.
This action is perfectly aligned to taking direct action within your local community. Little Free Libraries. Tool exchanges. Your local recycling center likely retains useful items for you to pick up and reuse. Not only does this bring a community closer together with a shared vision, it makes good solid economic sense!
“Sharing is caring.. for your community and the climate!”
Heidi Rop
Next Up: Climate Action in 2024 – Day 41: Turn Away From Fast Fashion
Howard Creel
#rescuethatfrog
Email: rescuethatfrog@gmail.com