Turning Daily Habits into Climate Action with Reuters Journalist and Author Eduardo Garcia
A Career Rooted in Passion for Change
Eduardo Garcia’s journey into journalism started with a passion for storytelling and a belief in the power of writing to create positive change. Garcia recounts his years reporting for Reuters in Latin America, where he covered everything from politics and natural resources to violence and drug trafficking. In 2015, he relocated to New York and, after a brief stint in capital markets reporting, shifted his focus entirely to climate and environmental journalism.
Throughout his career, Garcia’s work has been published in outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Slate. He has consistently focused on environmental issues, particularly renewable energy and climate solutions.
Garcia’s experience reporting on climate solutions led him to write his first book, Things You Can Do: How to Fight Climate Change and Reduce Waste. The book, which started as a collection of stories written for The New York Times, focuses on simple, actionable steps individuals can take to lower their carbon footprint. Garcia himself became more environmentally conscious while writing the book, transitioning to a mostly vegetarian diet and making energy-saving changes in his daily life, like avoiding the use of air conditioning in his New York City apartment.
For Garcia, the book is not just about spreading awareness but inspiring change. He highlights that these small actions—reducing plastic waste, lowering energy consumption, and adopting plant-based diets—are crucial for both personal health and environmental impact. His goal was to create an accessible, illustrated book that could engage readers who might not typically pick up a book about climate change.
Caption: Eduardo Garcia worked with Illustrator Sara Boccaccini Meadows on Things You Can Do
Garcia argues that personal choices can have a ripple effect. By starting small—reducing food waste, conserving energy, and making sustainable transportation choices—people can not only lower their carbon footprint but also influence those around them to do the same.
Garcia is candid about his own lifestyle changes, including a shift to a predominantly plant-based diet and efforts to minimize energy use at home. Garcia also raises awareness about methane emissions, which are significantly more potent than CO2 but less discussed in mainstream conversations. Methane, often produced by food waste and natural gas extraction, is a “low-hanging fruit” in the fight against climate change, and Garcia stresses the need for stronger action to reduce these emissions.
The Future of Wind Energy
As a renewable energy reporter, Garcia has covered the growth of both onshore and offshore wind energy extensively. In the podcast, he shares his thoughts on the future of wind power, acknowledging the challenges the industry currently faces, such as supply chain issues and local opposition to wind turbines. However, he remains optimistic about the potential of wind energy to play a significant role in decarbonizing the power sector, especially offshore wind, which has immense potential due to its proximity to major urban centers like New York and New Jersey.
Garcia also addresses concerns about the environmental impact of wind turbines, particularly on bird and bat populations, noting that while these impacts exist, they are significantly less harmful than the effects of fossil fuel extraction and combustion.
Activating a Billion Climate Activists
Garcia discusses the idea that we need a billion climate activists to truly make a difference. This activism doesn’t have to mean attending protests or working for environmental organizations; rather, it’s about integrating climate-conscious decisions into daily life, from voting for pro-climate politicians to choosing more sustainable products. Garcia believes that starting with small changes can lead to larger societal shifts, with individuals becoming more engaged in their communities and the political process.
He encourages listeners to stay informed, take action, and remember that even small changes can lead to big results.