4 New steps to help people learn what they can do for the planet

Graphic of step for illustrative purposes

Everyday there are steps people can take to help control the runaway effects of climate change which is leading to wildfires and droughts.

But everyone needs to find the steps which are right for them and which they’re motivated to start now.

That’s why Giki Zero has just launched four new steps. Because the more choices people have, the more ways they can find something that’s right for their lifestyle and budget.

The steps also focus on four of the most important areas of sustainability today: water, plastic, finance and supporting vulnerable communities.

The more steps we all take the more sustainable our lives will be with less pollution, more abundant nature and a healthier future.

Step one: Say no to single use plastic

Single use plastic is everywhere. From plastic bags to drinks bottles and food wrappers to cutlery the average person can get through hundreds of single use plastic items each year. Kick the habit by saying no to different types of single use plastic.

Cutting back on plastic helps to cut the burning of fossil fuels as that’s how most plastic is made. It’ll also reduce plastic pollution on land and in the sea.

Plastic Facts

The plastic industry burns more fossils fuels than all the emissions from flying.
More than 1 tonne of plastic has been made from every person on the planet today.

Step two: Water saving checklist

There are small changes people can make everyday to save water.

On the one hand heavy rainfall, which is leading to increasingly dangerous floods, will become more common with climate change. However, hotter temperatures also mean more droughts which are already being seen around the world. Put simply dry conditions will be much drier and last for longer.

As a result saving water becomes more and more important. Here are some ideas from the checklist to tick off:

  • Rather than leaving the tap running use a bowl to wash vegetables or dishes
  • Run the dishwasher on a full load
  • Use the small flush button on the toilet
  • Run the washing machine on a full load
  • Only boil the water you need in the kettle
  • Take a shorter shower
  • Turn the tap off when washing your teeth

Did you know?

Showers and toilets are the biggest water users in the home.
If you've got a water meter then saving water will save money too. When you're saving hot water you'll be cutting back on energy bills too.

Step three: Find out how green your pension is

The money in your pension could be invested in companies that are harming the climate including oil, gas and coal companies. Find out how green your pension is as a first step in deciding if you want to do something about it.

The more money an individual has in their pension the more important this step becomes. Currently the world’s largest companies are generating emissions that are in line with 2.5C to 3C of warming. But pension funds in the rich world are worth over $30 trillion so there is a huge amount of money that can force them to change.

Facts and stats

80% of pension holders surveyed by Make My Money Matter have never considered whether their pension could be contributing to climate change.

Step four: Support a community affected by climate change

More and more people are being impacted by climate change. As well as day to day changes in temperatures and rainfall there are also an increasing number of major climate events, and disasters, which are leaving billions of people at risk.

Support those communities through direct action or donation.

Good reasons to do it

Showing solidarity in the face of a global emergency helps us form a community of people who care and are ready to take action.
Protect people's health and wellbeing by providing them with support when they most need it.

Why now

From catastrophic flooding in Pakistan to drought in the Sahel millions were displaced in 2022 alone. With 80-90% of all disasters over the last 10 years coming from droughts, floods and severe storms more and more vulnerable people need help.