Behavior - New Year's resolution to "do more for the climate": how it can work
The new year is just around the corner. And with it, a whole host of good resolutions that people are sometimes more, sometimes less successful in keeping. According to a survey commissioned by DAK-Gesundheit, 51% of respondents in Germany have currently set themselves the goal of becoming more environmentally and climate-friendly. This means that the resolution has slipped sharply down the agenda of good intentions: last year, 64% had still named this goal.
Do I have to completely change my life?
According to the Federal Environment Agency (Uba), people in Germany currently emit around 10.3 tons of climate-damaging greenhouse gases per capita per year. According to Laura Spengler from the Federal Environment Agency (Uba), private individuals can have quite an influence on this so-called footprint, depending on their living conditions. "If you really make an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, you can roughly halve your emissions compared to the average."
The biggest levers include avoiding long flights, using green electricity, heating economically and not using a car.
Small steps with a big impact
According to the Competence Center for Sustainable Consumption (KNK), two relatively effective actions are buying an energy-saving shower head and switching to a green electricity contract. These two small steps together can already save 0.8 tons of greenhouse gases per year. "That really is the simplest thing you can do," says climate protection expert Niklas Höhne from the New Climate Institute.
According to experts, people who do without a private car for their daily commute consume around one tonne less CO2 and other greenhouse gases. It is also important to avoid flying and opt for durable products. "A lot can be done by moving away from the throwaway society and towards long-lasting quality products," says Höhne.
Reducing meat and milk is also a major lever - up to one tonne of emissions can be saved here, writes the KNK.
Not every reduction has a big impact
In contrast, the climate impact of plastic bags, for example, is greatly overestimated. "We use an exaggerated amount of plastic, but in terms of climate impact, it's not that significant," says environmental scientist Spengler from Uba. Regional and seasonal food does not have a major impact on the climate either - it only saves 0.02 tons per year, according to Uba's CO2 calculator.
Commitment can make a big difference
"You have something in your hands as an individual, but a lot is determined by the political framework," says researcher Höhne. Following on from this, the Competence Center for Sustainable Consumption promotes the concept of the "handprint" - i.e. the effect of one's own social commitment on the climate. This includes, for example, advertising sustainable behavior or donations to climate protection initiatives.
"If you get involved and try to drive something forward in your environment, in society, you can have a much, much greater impact on climate protection than if you just focus on your own footprint," says Laura Spengler from Uba.
Concrete resolutions are easier to stick to
"A change in behavior also has positive side effects: Riding a bike is healthier than sitting in a car. The change does not have to be negatively associated with giving up something," emphasizes Höhne. The fact that change in everyday life is not seen exclusively as something burdensome also helps us to actually implement our resolutions, as psychologist Martina Amberg explains. "Good resolutions must have a benefit for us," she says. The right resolution can therefore vary depending on a person's preferences and needs.
It is also important to make a very specific resolution: instead of "somehow live more climate-consciously", for example, "cycle to work twice a week". Realistic plans are important here, says Amberg. Because after small successes, people feel more confident and don't give up so quickly. "Tip: don't blow up your resolutions so much, but make them specific and achievable," says the psychologist. So rather one veggie day a week than an abrupt switch to veganism.
According to Amberg, getting together with like-minded people also helps you to persevere. Just like having a plan B in case you slip up. Then you don't give up immediately, but can consciously get back on track the next day, for example.
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- Despite a decline in new year's resolutions to become more climate-friendly, 51% of Germans still aim to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, according to a DAK survey.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, is a key focus of the Federal Environment Agency's work.
- One way individuals can make a significant impact on their carbon footprint is by using green electricity and avoiding car use, according to the New Climate Institute's Niklas Höhne.
- A small change such as switching to a green electricity contract and installing an energy-saving showerhead can save up to 0.8 tons of greenhouse gases per year, according to the Competence Center for Sustainable Consumption.
- In Dessau-Roßlau, Germany, DAK has partnered with local businesses to offer green electricity options to its members, as part of its commitment to climate-friendly practices.
- Psychology can also play a role in new year's resolutions related to climate change, with psychologist Martina Amberg emphasizing the importance of making specific and achievable resolutions to increase the likelihood of success.
- The Federal Environment Agency also promotes the concept of the "handprint," which encourages individuals to consider not only their own carbon footprint but also their social impact on climate change through actions such as advocating for green policies or donating to climate initiatives.
Source: www.stern.de
