Think globally, act globally!
I know the original expression is “Think globally, act locally,” which dates back to 1915 and is attributed to Scottish conservationist Patrick Geddes. Still, I think it is time to revisit this refrain. The philosophy behind this famous quotation is to care about the entire planet and take action at the community, town, or city level. This idea remains solid and relevant; however, given the significant developments over the past 105 years, it seems too late to take measures one community and one City at a time. Rather, it is time to take ambitious steps to address our global environmental challenges; for example, the current pandemic has served as a wake-up call for the entire world. The pandemic originated in what was, for many of us, an obscure part of China, but now its effects are felt by people everywhere.
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Recent studies published in “Nature” and “Science” describe the planet’s dire situation. Without going into details, the message is that we have been depleting our global resources at an unsustainable rate for several decades, yet the story has not made headlines. Does it mean the problem is not as real or as scary as we think? I think that since we do not see this issue at our front doorstep yet, there are other, more pressing crises we are currently experiencing. Exhausting our resources is a major concern and must be addressed aggressively soon.
Here in San Francisco, we are fortunate to have progressive, eco-friendly measures that make a difference; moreover, it is relatively easier for most of us to take “planet-saving” actions locally, as we are encouraged to do so. However, there is always more we can and need to do at this stage. We cannot afford to wait for our politicians to enact new eco-friendly regulations. Some actions we can take at a local and global level are:
- Be vigilant so that our politicians draft stricter policies and regulations that protect the environment as effectively and efficiently as possible. Unfortunately, after negotiations with industry leaders, eco-friendly policies are often diluted over time and become laws.
- Network and share success stories and lessons learned worldwide on addressing environmental issues, such as energy savings. For example, when I lived in Berlin, I was impressed by how the escalators leading to the subway platforms, as well as the entryway and stair lights in my apartment building, were controlled by motion detectors. In some U.S. states, such an option is not legal, but we must question the reasoning and learn from others.
- Living within our “ecological” means. It is well-known that richer countries, such as the U.S., use more global resources than most countries. For example, a recent study by the University of Michigan Center for Sustainable Systems titled (U.S. Environmental Footprint) states that although the U.S. has only 5% of the world’s population and 15% of the world’s GDP, we consume 15% of the world’s energy. In fact, according to this study, it would take five times the amount of Earth for the entire world to live by U.S. standards.
- Ensure equity and equality for all people everywhere. The recent U.S. events have shown us what a powder keg of pent-up frustration over racism and bigotry can be. Simultaneously, consistent conflicts worldwide, which can lead to famine and war, have a global impact. Furthermore, a conflict in a country or region on the other side of the world can impact the global economy, destabilize governments, and exacerbate already tense religious and socio-political tensions. We can alleviate these situations by voting, getting involved, and being conscious of where we invest and buy products.
Now, on a local level, we can continue to follow up on the bullet points listed above, but there are other things we should be doing daily at home and within our communities:
- Walk or bike whenever possible. According to the SFMTA, over the last decade or so, the City’s population has increased by approximately 80,000 people, plus 175,000 new jobs have been added within city limits. Of course, this translates into greater vehicular traffic; also, more people are ride-sharing, as it has become more affordable and convenient than hailing a cab. Additionally, bicycle riding peaked in 2017 and has since declined. Empirical observations indicate that more people are riding bikes and walking this year, a trend accelerated by the pandemic, which is a positive development. However, we need to keep increasing the number of trips we take on foot or by bicycle.
- Consume less. The pandemic has shown many how to reduce consumption and live with fewer “things.” In other words, for some of us, having less income over the last nine months has taught us to prioritize our spending, which is a great advantage for the environment—for example, using our mobile phones for longer than we normally would means less waste (from throwing out old phones) and less mining and use of the resources needed to make new ones. And do we need the latest version of that particular fashionable mobile phone? Also, to save on expenses, many people have been buying refurbished used electronics, such as laptops and mobile phones, at a fraction of the original cost. These products are just as efficient and help reduce the number of electronics that end up in landfills.
- Although recycling is essential to helping our environment, reusing the waste we generate is even more beneficial, such as taking the produce bags back to the store and using them to purchase fresh produce again. We can also use unwanted plastic bottles for children’s art projects, planters, and vases. Therefore, our first reaction should be to find at least one secondary use for everything we buy before discarding it.
- Use less or eliminate toilet paper. Used toilet paper requires more energy and processing as it passes through sewage treatment plants, but it is also made from a resource that we extract from the planet. Additionally, its manufacturing process releases greenhouse gases into the environment. The chlorine used to bleach and soften the paper often pollutes the neighboring water supplies (in many countries). One alternative to toilet paper is the bidet, which is very common in southern European countries, Japan, and the Middle East. Of course, it is not always feasible for everyone to install one in their bathrooms. However, you can retrofit a typical toilet with a bidet seat. Their prices range from $150 to $2,500, depending on the brand and features.
- Buy less packaged food. Although not always an option, certain food items can be purchased without prepackaging, such as meats and cold cuts. For example, if your local market or neighborhood has a butcher shop, you can purchase ham, turkey, and other meats by weight and have them packaged in butcher paper or, in some cases, in your own containers. For instance, an increasing number of stores sell grains, dried fruits, and other bulk items that you can place into your containers. Although these may seem like small steps moving us towards our goals at a glacial pace, the reality is that we build momentum with these actions, which can inspire others to do the same and prompt vendors to take notice and make necessary changes. We have repeatedly seen large and medium-sized companies showcase their transition to more ecologically conscious products and activities. They present these actions as their own idea, but only reach that point through legislation and consumer demand.
The previous bullet points are just a start. We can do more to help the environment, and I encourage you to explore ways to make a positive impact. And there are costlier (at least initially) actions to be “green,” such as installing solar energy panels, building a green roof on your house, and rainwater harvesting for irrigation and toilet use, among others. However, in this article, I wanted to start with some relatively simple activities to adopt. That said, whatever you do does help, but we live in a time in history when we can no longer afford to do the minimum. We need to challenge ourselves to do more. If we don’t, our children will have an even bigger mess to clean up.
Greening Projects
Author Bio
Jorge Romero-Lozano, PE, LEED AP, PMP, is Greening Projects’ Executive Director and Founder. As a licensed civil engineer with a passion for planning, designing, and building green spaces, he provides both technical expertise and the vision to envision potential green spaces and support neighborhoods, individuals, and other professionals who wish to improve their environments and engage their communities.
Mike Doherty serves as Chief Experience Officer at Greening Projects, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underutilized urban spaces into vibrant green areas
