One of the best lessons we have learned working in conservation and environmental education, is that the perspective with which we intake information can affect our ability to transform that into action. In this field, just like in day-to-day life, if we remain attached to fear and uncertainty, we are more likely to ignore the issue and keep ourselves detached from it. By Victoria Chiriboga

We like to talk about conservation from an education stand point, because we have witnessed how knowledge can transform the way in which we confront something that we thought sacred us. Just like when we were kids, and we saw a terrifying shadow in our bedrooms at night. We were petrified, until we build up the courage to turn on the lights and realized it was just the pair of pant we threw over the chair earlier. The solution to our problem all of sudden becomes very clear: put the pair of pants away in the closet. The idea of this example is simply for us to know that what we need with regards to climate change, is to “turn on the lights”, in order to see and to better understand what our solutions are, in a less terrifying way.

So, with your brand new knowledge about Climate Change, comes the big question: WHAT CAN I DO? Here are 6 climate solutions that you can implement everyday to be part of the solution.

1. RAISE YOUR VOICE An underestimated and powerful action is to use your voice to demand that public policy complies with climate strategy and agreements. Use you vote, voice and community to keep politicians accountable for respecting the rights of nature and public opinion/needs with regards to the transformations required to mitigate Climate Change.
2. CHECK YOUR WATER Preserving your water is another action that has a huge impact with regards to personal mitigation strategies. Making water safe for human consumption takes up a lot of resources and energy, which is why it is important to audit any leaks in your home. You can collect rain water, water your garden or plants at night, close the tap when you are not actively using running water, or add smart adapters or filters to maximize efficiency.
3. REDUCE YOUR FOOD WASTE Food waste has a pretty large carbon footprint. The use of energy, water and fertilizers from agriculture generate about 18% of the GHG emissions of Ecuador. Additionally organic waste that are introduced into landfills quickly become a large source of methane emissions. In order to avoid this, make sure to reintroduce them into the ground through composting, as well as re-evaluating your food consumption habits to avoid waste form happening.
4. TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE Did you know that leaving your engine idling for 1 minute emits the equivalent of approximately 150 balloons filled with Co2. That is why turning off your engine while you are not driving, can reduce a great source of emissions within urban areas.
5. UNPLUG Energy production emits around 44% of GHG emissions in Ecuador. Home appliances are also know as energy vampires, because they have the ability to consume a low but constant amount of energy while being plugged in. Unplugging them while not in use reduces your energy consumption, as well as you electric bill.
6. CONSUME WITH CONSCIOUSNESS Everything we consume has an impact over our natural resources, that is why consuming in a conscious manner, questioning how and why we do it, and what is the production backstory of them is basic. Consuming locally, plastic-free, reusable, organic and refillable can help us reduce the carbon footprint of what we buy, while at the same time promoting and supporting artisans and local economies.