Individual Actions
The way in which our society lives our everyday lives can have a big impact on climate change but it is important to remember that large, privileged corporations have been the ones doing the most destruction to our earth and we cannot ignore them and let them shift the blame to us. That stated we do have an important role to play when fighting climate change.
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It is important to have an efficient and clean way of heating and cooling your home. Hot water heaters, radiators, and inefficient wood stoves are burning gas, oil, and wood and releasing carbon. If you have the money, get an electric heat pump and invest in getting solar panels which is a big amount of money upfront but in the long run, should pay off. If you don’t feel like you have enough money to pay for solar panels or upgrading your heating system there are some cities, and states with programs to assess your home or building and provide money to make your home greener. There are also several companies and nonprofits doing some of this same work.
To learn more visit https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/net-zero-buildings/technical-summary
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https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/high-efficiency-heat-pumps/technical-summary
https://www.drawdown.org/solutions/building-retrofitting/technical-summary
To look into programs or solar panels or heat pumps visit https://www.blocpower.io/
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/services/incentives-and-financing-energy-efficient-homes
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-and-cool/heat-pump-systems
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https://www.consumeraffairs.com/solar-energy/best-solar-panels.html
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Another way to make your footprint smaller is to be less wasteful with food. Try to shop as local as you can to avoid buying food that was shipped from other places which creates a lot of emissions. Make a meal plan before you go to the store to prevent yourself from buying things you won’t use. If you have leftovers from a meal do not put them in the trash. Save them to use in another meal and if that is not possible compost. Always bring reusable shopping bags and buy in bulk. When you are buying meat and dairy, find smaller or more local farms rather than big factory farms.
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To get more tips visit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/29/50-ways-to-green-up-your-life-save-the-planet
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To learn more about factory farming visit https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/EndIt
To find out more about buying local visit https://sustainableconnections.org/why-buy-local/
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If you are a farmer or gardener you have a large impact on the way our earth is treated. We need to farm in a way that gives us the resources we need while also giving the earth the care and respect it needs. One way to take action on climate change is through regenerative farming. Regenerative farming is a new way to farm that sequesters carbon in the soil and gives more life and biodiversity to the land.
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To learn more about regenerative farming visit https://soilhealthinstitute.org/,
www.chelseagreen.com/product/dirt-to-soil/?mc_cid=56e2d01611&mc_eid=5cbe13393c,
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https://kissthegroundmovie.com/?mc_cid=56e2d01611&mc_eid=5cbe13393c
Transportation accounts for approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions so the way we travel and commute needs to change. Walking is a completely carbon-neutral way of transportation. Biking and scootering are also carbon neutral and faster than walking. Many cities have bike or scooter sharing apps so you don’t have to invest in a whole bicycle. If you live in a city, public transportation has a much lower impact on greenhouse gas as long as many people use the transportation. Electric cars are much better than gas or diesel vehicles in terms of emissions. If you need to buy a car, it is much better for the climate to buy an electric car and under the Biden administration, you may qualify for benefits or incentives to help you buy an electric car. Though electric cars are better than other vehicles, they aren’t carbon neutral to charge unless our electrical grid is completely green which in the U.S is almost nowhere. If you live in a city and you don't need a car then it would be better to go without it.
To learn more visit https://www.drawdown.org/sectors/transportation
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https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/10-ideas-green-transportation
https://www.ucsusa.org/transportation
To see the tax benefits of buying an electric car visit https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxevb.shtml
Where to Donate Your Money?
Here are 5 organizations and nonprofits helping to fight the climate crisis.
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​1. Greenpeace is an independent organization that uses peaceful protest and communication to promote solutions for climate change and a more peaceful world. They challenge the systems of privilege and work to protect the indigenous peoples of the arctic.
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2. 350.org is a well-rooted organization that has the three primary goals of keeping carbon in the ground, help build a more equitable and low carbon economy, and pressure governments into limiting emissions. They listen to the communities hit hardest and support the leadership of those on the frontlines of the climate crisis.
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3.National Resources Defense Council is a nonprofit working to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and expand renewable energy across the U.S. They want to ensure the right to clean air, water, and the wild. They believe that the world's children should inherit a sustainable planet.
4. Environmental Defense Fund has been working since the 1960s to protect the earth. They work to make the world more healthy and reduce the impact of climate change by making a cleaner, more equitable economy, forming more resilient communities, and securing our climate for the next generation.
5.The Sunrise Movement is a nationwide protest and advocation movement lead by young people, with local "hubs" in schools and other communities. They pressure local, state, and national governments to take action on climate change. They work with other movements to fight the inequitable systems and institutions that remain in our world.
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Everything above is important and needs doing but one of the most important parts of fighting for the earth is trust, community building, and education. We need strong relationships and resilient communities to fight back against the climate crisis. We also need to communicate, educate and raise awareness and tell people how climate change will affect their lives. Get your community involved in the fight for climate justice!