The world is facing a critical energy and climate crisis, with fossil fuels driving global warming and environmental degradation. To secure a sustainable future, we must transition to cleaner energy sources, implement carbon sequestration strategies, adopt regenerative agricultural practices, and make conscious choices in consumption and waste management. This guide explores practical solutions to these challenges and how individuals, businesses, and governments can contribute to a greener planet.
A| RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy is a clean type of power that comes from nature and never runs out. However, we can only use it as fast as it naturally replaces itself.
Types of renewable energy include:
- Solar energy: Power from the sun.
- Wind energy: Power from moving air.
- Hydropower: Power from flowing water.
- Geothermal energy: Heat from inside the Earth.
- Biomass energy: Power from plants and organic materials.
Globally, only 3% of the total energy supply comes from renewable sources, while fossil fuels still dominate, providing 80% of primary energy (CNBC on Morgan Stanley Analysis).
While transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner renewable energy is widely seen as the ideal solution, many argue that achieving this shift immediately could cause significant disruptions to the energy industry.
However, some researchers (such as the nonprofit Carbon Tracker) have argued that the costs of renewable energy are reducing. Therefore, energy generation is rising rapidly and could potentially replace fossil fuels sooner than most think.
Read More: What is Renewable Energy?
B| CARBON SEQUESTRATION
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and a major air pollutant that must be removed from the air if we want a cleaner and healthier planet. This is where carbon sequestration comes in. Carbon sequestration means capturing the carbon from the air and directing it somewhere else, for example plants, oceans, and ground/soil.
Even though sequestration occurs naturally (through vegetation, seas, and land absorbing carbon), artificial sequestration is necessary. This is because we are facing a dire situation, therefore artificial measures are needed to make the process quicker. Thus, a significant amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases can be removed from the air.
Artificial measures include reforestation and injecting the carbon into the oceans and deep underground.
If done properly and at a larger scale, carbon emissions could be reduced greatly and sooner than relying on totally replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Read More: Carbon Sequestration & Methane Removal Methods and Africa's Actions.
C| REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE
Conventional agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to the climate change issues.
Reasons why farmers are deciding to welcome good practices like regenerative farming are:
- The use of pesticides
- Overly tilling the land
- Soil degrading due to chemicals and no coverage
Regenerative agriculture is a farming practice that uses natural ways to grow crops, control pests, and continuously enhance soil fertility.
This is done by:
- Rotating crops
- Using cover crops
- Gentle or no tilling
- Natural pest management
- Planting trees to capture carbon from the air
- Water preservation
- And other eco-friendly practices
Read More: Regenerative Agriculture in Africa.
D| DON’T SEND FABRIC TO LANDFILL
Fast fashion is responsible for a big chunk of climate change. Consumers are buying cheap clothes and textiles to use for a short time and quickly discard. And the circle continues—buy, short use, throw away, and landfills filling up.
The importance of creating quality and durable products thus extending the life cycle of the items cannot be emphasized enough.
Implementing take-back programs is also one way for businesses to save fabric from ending up in a landfill. In this case, the purpose is to give textiles and clothing items a second life, thus prolonging it's life cycle.
Customers can also choose to donate textiles and clothes rather than discarding them.
E| CONSERVE ENERGY EVERYDAY
All businesses should take measures everyday that could reduce carbon emissions and only require small changes that require small, easily achievable changes that are also economically beneficial.
There are many everyday things that we can all do to conserve energy. For example:
- A business and its employees may turn off lights and electronics when not in use both at work and home.
- Carpool to work instead of each employee driving to work separately.
- Consider using electricity only when necessary.
- For energy efficiency, improve building insulation.
F| SAY NO TO PLASTIC
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Reducing plastic consumption in daily life requires a conscious effort at work, home, and in product manufacturing.
Offices are notorious for plastic waste, from disposable coffee cups to single-use packaging for office supplies.
Switching to reusable alternatives—such as stainless steel water bottles, glass food containers, and refillable pens—can significantly cut down plastic waste.
Businesses can also encourage employees to bring their own reusable items and partner with suppliers that prioritize plastic-free or biodegradable packaging.
In product manufacturing, companies have a major responsibility to phase out plastic reliance and embrace sustainable materials.
Innovations in biodegradable packaging, plant-based plastics, and reusable product designs are making it easier for manufacturers to transition away from conventional plastic.
Businesses can also implement recycling systems, ensuring that plastic waste is repurposed rather than discarded.
At home, minimize plastic use with small but impactful changes. These include:
- Opting for reusable shopping bags.
- Glass or metal storage containers.
- Sustainable cleaning products.
- Choosing fresh produce over packaged goods.
- Supporting brands that use compostable or plastic-free packaging.
- Avoiding synthetic fabrics reduces microplastic pollution in water systems.
G| WE CAN ALL BE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS
Here at Baobab Living we simply wanted to do the right thing by the planet, by our stakeholders, as well as by everyone on earth being impacted by climate change. We decided to raise awareness of what is going on through our website and other platforms, to anyone who is listening.
It is everyone's obligation to encourage businesses, governments, and individual people to practice true green/ sustainable living and eco production.
As the demands of clean and responsible production keep rising high so should businesses try their hardest to get closer to net-zero emissions or zero carbon footprint.
Having said that, let's applaud people and businesses that are taking humble steps in their sustainability endeavors—after all, every little helps.
Also, let’s remember that climate activism on its own is not enough—we must take steps and initiatives, however small, to contribute to other measures being taken to reverse global warming.
Conclusion
Solving the energy and climate change crisis requires a combination of renewable energy, carbon sequestration, sustainable agriculture, responsible consumption, and corporate accountability. Each of us has a role to play—whether through reducing waste, supporting clean energy, or advocating for change. By taking collective action, we can mitigate the impact of climate change and work toward a more sustainable future.