Climate change is a global problem with effects being felt in every aspect of modern life, from severe weather instances becoming more common to the northward migration of sea animal populations. These have an effect on global food supply and human habitats such as severe weather patterns lowering crop yields and elevating sea levels flooding coastal areas. Countries and individuals are taking initiatives and working on projects designed to combat these changes, reverse some of them and adapt to those that last.

Agriculture

Global agriculture is one of the areas responsible for some of the climate changes which is also taking steps to help stop or reverse the changes. Not only are crops grown to directly feed an increasing population, but also to feed the livestock which is also later consumed. With regenerative agriculture practices, such as managed grazing and low tillage farming, both reduce carbon emissions and capture carbon from the atmosphere for plants.

Individuals can help by reducing meat intake, particularly beef, by a couple of servings a week as well as by growing their own as much as possible by planting things like peas, berries and cucumbers instead of flowers. If you have a health condition impacted by ingesting lectins, such as an autoimmune disease, then it is a good idea to avoid growing plants high in these compounds. Do cucumbers have lectins, yes, but you can reduce the number you get from them by removing the skin and seeds.

Industry

Countries around the world are cracking down on the pollution being produced by industrial processes, educating workers and populations on how to reduce waste, and fining companies for carbon production. Both public and private initiatives are raising funds to further science to make products and provide services without a negative impact on the environment.

Private citizens can help reduce the harm of industry on the planet by properly recycling discarded items, particularly electronics, and by avoiding purchasing items by the worst offenders. When you shop locally, you are supporting your community as well as reducing the emissions used to transport goods around the globe.

Energy

Renewable energy projects make up most current initiatives designed to tackle climate change. From states and countries offering incentives to switch from gas to electric vehicles and putting solar panels on private homes, to innovative scientists finding solutions to purify water in developing countries without burning wood. Solar power is even being used to pump water and preserve food for later use.

You can help with these projects by switching to renewable energy sources, reducing the amount of power you use and donating to charities bringing sustainable tech and practices to isolated or poor communities around the world.

Waste

Waste management is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, whether it is the processing of solid animal waste, the dumping of trash or the amount of food thrown out every day. The ways that countries and communities handle trash, animal waste and food waste can reduce emissions as well as help recapture carbon from the atmosphere. 

For instance, agricultural composting can turn organic waste such as crop residue, animal waste and table scraps into nutrients for new crops. Countries who handle recycling, such as India, are training workers to find electronics in dumps to move to the proper facilities and reduce the amount of contamination from the circuits.

You can help by learning how to properly prepare and drop off your recyclables, composting for your garden and trying to reduce and reuse items as much as possible. Most people do not realize, for example, that recycling a plastic bottle is not as easy as emptying it and putting it in the proper bin, these need to be thoroughly cleaned with the labels, lids and plastic security rings removed.

Climate change is a growing problem for the whole planet, but innovative projects are being developed by countries and individuals to reduce emissions, capture carbon and reduce the damage from the changes. You can help by supporting these projects as well as by reducing and reusing as much as possible.