It can be super overwhelming to think about climate change. Many of the serious solutions require governments to act. While we can absolutely pressure city and state governments to take action immediately, we can't count on the federal government for the next couple of years. Here are some meaningful actions we can take in the meantime: 1) Switch to green energy
Contact your electric company and switch to a provider that sources their energy from green sources, like wind, geothermal, or solar.
Get solar panels!
2) Advocate to politicians (especially local politicians!) to support:
Public Transit
Green energy
Laws that require efficiency in buildings
3) Reduce food waste
Eat those leftovers! Share your extras.
Compost! It returns nutrients to the soil instead of trapping them in landfills and creates less heat-trapping gas than standard decomposition!
4) Buy less stuff!
When you DO buy stuff, try to get it used before buying new.
5) Don't use AI!
AI, from ChatGPT and search engines to AI art, is extremely energy-hungry. Write your own emails. Draw your own doodles (or even better, hire artists!).
6) Take public transit, or at LEAST share your ubers/lyfts
Taking public transit is the best way to get around, but we know it's not a perfect solution all the time. Make things cheaper for yourself and your friends by sharing an uber if you're going in the same direction. Offer a ride to prevent another car on the road to events.
7) Make your house more efficient
Effectively insulating your windows and doors will decrease your energy bill and reduce energy consumption
8) Talk to your friends and family about climate change
Social science suggests that people are most likely to change their behaviors based on how their social circles behave. Guilt doesn't work, shame doesn't work well. Be a positive influence in your social group. Preventing climate change doesn't have to be annoying, we can do it together!
We can tackle climate change if we work together as communities. Use less, share more, we can do this!
