Chapter 1: Confronting Climate Change

Since we learned that a collective of 11,000 scientists warned that our planet is facing a climate crisis, we have sought out ways to help combat climate change. Their report, titled "World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency," deeply unsettled my family and me.

We are not among those who disregard scientific consensus, particularly when it comes from such a large group of experts. This situation is dire, and action is essential.

If humanity wishes to continue thriving on Earth, proactive measures must be taken. Our family is committed to making a difference. We have already reduced our use of single-use plastics, shifted to a more plant-centric diet, and have been recycling diligently to prevent further deforestation.

However, we realized that these changes alone were insufficient.

The combustion of fossil fuels and the production of greenhouse gases are significant threats to our environment. We contemplated how we could contribute more meaningfully. Reducing our driving and opting for public transport instead of our car for short trips was a start, but we recognized that we could do even better.

Eventually, we arrived at the idea of living without a car altogether. It may sound extreme, but we acknowledged that letting go of our new vehicle was necessary.

Financial pressures also influenced our decision. 2019 had been particularly challenging; we welcomed a new baby and took on loans to recover from financial strains. The car we purchased in 2018 had become a major expense, with burdensome payments, insurance fees, and rising fuel costs.

By returning the car to the bank and relying on public transportation, we could alleviate our financial struggles and contribute to reducing fossil fuel consumption.

We deliberated over this choice for several weeks. In the Philippines, owning a car is often associated with comfort and status. Although my wife and I were indifferent to societal perceptions, we worried about how our family might react to our decision. Ultimately, we prioritized practicality over pride.

How would we manage school runs for our daughter? What about grocery shopping or family outings to the beach? Public transport is less comfortable and convenient. In our region, it consists of tricycles and jeepneys—neither of which provide air conditioning in the tropical heat or shelter from the rain.

Ultimately, we needed to decide if we could endure some discomfort for the sake of our values. The answer was affirmative.

Just two days ago, our car was taken away by the bank. While this decision would impact our credit score and limit future loans, we felt prepared to accept the consequences.

This was the first new car I had ever owned, and I genuinely enjoyed driving it. The comfort and sense of pride associated with that vehicle made it difficult to part ways. The empty space on the pavement outside our home serves as a constant reminder of our choice. I often find myself wondering if we made the right decision.

However, our financial situation is set to improve. We anticipate catching up on bills within two months, and we may finally have the means to invest in experiences and travel. This could prevent the all-too-frequent scenario of running out of funds before the end of each month.

Moreover, we now have more resources to support our plant-based dietary choices, recognizing that while we made a significant contribution to the environment by giving up our car, there is always more to be done.

Just because we’ve taken one positive step doesn’t mean we can relax while others do the heavy lifting. I plan to write more about our journey to inspire others to consider life without a gas-guzzler. We want to encourage people to minimize single-use plastics and switch to sustainable alternatives like bamboo or metal straws and utensils.

Additionally, we need to address the environmental impact of excessive meat consumption. A more sustainable eating pattern is crucial.

We must also reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Our planet is suffering, and urgent measures are necessary.

Can you envision living without a car? Would you consider letting it go for the sake of the environment?

I believe that upon reflection, many would agree that the answer is yes.

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Chapter 2: The Impact of Transportation Choices

The first video title is Is Keeping Your Old Car Better For The Environment? - YouTube. This video discusses the environmental implications of maintaining an older vehicle compared to purchasing new ones and how this choice affects our ecological footprint.

The second video title is Here Is Why Electric Cars Are Not The Future! - YouTube. This video explores the limitations and challenges associated with electric vehicles, questioning their long-term viability as a sustainable alternative.