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Climate Change - Part 2: The Solutions
Bridget Walsh on 23 August, 2011 |

As discussed in Part 1: The Problems, Climate change is essentially what it reads as, a change in climate. It’s not simply a change in weather, or a seasonal change throughout the year, but a long-term transformation. Climate change is a term that most people are familiar with in the mainstream, and it tends to go hand in had with global warming which, like climate change, is as it sounds: an increase of temperature in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Paul Ekins, a leading researcher, author and academic in the field of environmental sustainability is helping us to understand the basics of climate change and global warming though, as he pointed out, these are massive subjects that are difficult to summarise or touch on briefly, with books, websites and massive organisations dedicated to their research and remedy.

In a yogic context, it’s vital that our values extend beyond our own physical practice and individual wellbeing, and that we use our power for good, helping to improve the collective community and the planet which we all call home. Historically, ideas of pollution, consumption and destruction may not have been focal points in Yoga philosophy, but back then neither were global warming or greenhouse gas emissions. If we intend to be genuine practitioners of yoga in the 21st century, we have to adapt the practice and philosophies on a holistic scale, transitioning key ideas like Yamas, Niyamas, Universal Consciousness, and peaceful, non-destructive existence into our modern era with the integrity and respect they deserve.

When thinking about climate change, or any issue we face as individuals or a collective, in order to understand how we can contribute to a solution, it’s helpful, nay vital, to understand how we are contributing to the problem.

“The conclusion of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was "most of the observed increase in globally average temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations" 'Anthropogenic' means caused by humans. These concentrations have increased because of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere from human activities.” (Ekins, 2011)

Without going off onto a tangent about all the things that give me rage in our so called ‘developed society’ (see: industrial agriculture, plastic bags, disposable cutlery, fried chicken, supermarkets etc), it’s hard to fathom how we let things get so bad.

I like to believe that individuals have the power to instigate change (positive change in this case!), but the question for me now is whether or not we have the time to spare for this change to happen. It seems that the rate of destruction is vastly outrunning the rate of small scale world-saving, and that the solutions simply have to come from higher up.

“We as individuals have caused the problems, so in principle we can make the necessary changes in lifestyles and economies that will mitigate them. However, fundamental changes are required in government and business incentives. These require changes in rules and institutions at international, national and local government level. Individuals have an important role as citizens to work and campaign for these changes in government policy and institutions, as well as through their own lifestyles and consumption.” (Ekins, 2011)

So while we sign petitions, join community groups, vote constructively and hope for the best, there are other more fundamental changes we can make on a day to day basis to help encourage the solutions.

“At an individual level the great majority of our greenhouse gas emissions come from three activities: how much energy (heat and electricity) we use in our homes and what we put in them; how we travel about; and what we eat.” (Ekins 2011)

As yogis, we are in a powerful place to understand and appreciate how vital it is for these changes to be taken on board, and implement them ourselves on an individual level. As yoga teachers we have the opportunity and responsibility to share some of these values with others and plant the seeds for more conscious, sustainable and well-rounded lifestyle choices, like food, energy and travel, in the minds of others who may not otherwise have considered them.