Some of these are simple.
The difficult/expensive items have more impact.
Do you know what are the best things to mitigate Climate Change? Take the Quiz!
https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2019/04/specials/climate-change-solutions-quiz/index.html
To lower our carbon footprint:1. Obtain solar energy for your home
2. Ask the school board to put solar energy into their plan. Ask local businesses when they will switch to solar.
3. Plan to make your next car, an electric car.
4. Become an activist to slow Climate Change. To Influence Policy:
Contact the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. These 5 people’s decisions set the energy and transportation policies affecting over 3 million people. Your phone call can help influence one of these 5 votes.
In Fallbrook we are in District 5, our Supervisor is Jim Desmond: tel: 619-531-5555 jim.desmond @sdcounty.gov
We need Community Choice Energy in SD County. We need better mass transit connecting Fallbrook.
- In Everyday Life:
1. When you eat:- Choose chicken over beef, eat meat-free.
- Buy organic and local, grow your own.
- Ask for no straws, bring your own stainless straw.
- Use a reusable bottle instead of plastic single-use bottles.
- Buy foods in bulk with your own containers, use your own shopping bag.
- Bring your own container to restaurants so you can skip the Styrofoam.
- Don’t waste food – food waste that decomposes in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide!
- Compost your kitchen scraps (no meat or oils), newspaper, tea bags, and dried leaves (aim for a roughly ½ green, ½ brown mix… green=produce scraps, brown=dried leaves, newspaper, tea bags/coffee)
- Give your plants used coffee grinds, bury banana peels next to fruit trees.
- Use vinegar (white or apple cider):
- Instead of weed killer, use diluted white vinegar or boil water and pour on the pesky weeds
- Use vinegar and water with old newspapers to clean windows and mirrors
- Use vinegar instead of bleach in your laundry
- Use vinegar to wash your produce
- Do a 20 minute daily foot bath of ½ vinegar, ½ water to cure athletes foot.
- Use energy wisely:
- Change to LED light bulbs
- Unplug electronics when not in use (power strips are very handy for this!)
- Wash clothes in cold or warm (not hot) water and hang dry clothes
- Use a programmable thermostat
- Look for Energy Star label when buying new appliances
- Get solar – no $ down lease options, California rebates if own
- Consume less, waste less
- Turn off the water while you are brushing your teeth
- Put a bucket in your kitchen sink then use water to water plants (they love the pieces of food scraps!). Have a pitcher ready for water when you turn on the tap and are waiting for the hot water.
- Reduce and reuse, give useful items away instead of placing in the trash.
- Before recycling, rinse items of food debris (the recycle facility may reject recyclables if they are covered in food)
- Buy bamboo/recycled products when available
- Green your commute:
- Use public transportation or ride-share
- Get exercise – walk or ride a bike
- Switch to an electric/hybrid vehicle
- Fly less (or purchase carbon offsets for travel).
• things you can do
“What Can I Do About the Climate Crisis?”
Communicate
Talking about climate change can help shift social norms in a more climate-friendly direction. If you’re not sure what to say or how to approach your audience, you may find it helpful to review the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions (CRED) Communication Guide.
Talk to People
–Start a conversation with your spouse, parents, children, friends, neighbors, barber, teacher, coach, etc.
-Tell your story. Submit a story to Climate Stories Project or Our Climate Our Future (youth focus).
-Organize a Climate Beer.
-Join or start a climate-related book club.
-Become a trained Climate Reality Leader and give public presentations.
-Apply to join the Speaker’s Bureau for your local 350 chapter.
-Use your platform. If you run a business, teach, head up a house of worship, lead mealtime prayers at home, host an open mic, front a band, or emcee in any capacity, mention the climate crisis.
–Host an event featuring one or more speakers who specialize in the climate crisis. Request a speaker from Climate Reality Project, 350 (contact your local chapter), Climate Justice Alliance, Global Speakers Bureau, or EcoSpeakers.com. Write About It
-Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or magazine.
-Publish a frequently updated list of the most important time-sensitive climate actions people can take.
-Volunteer to help with writing for any of the many action groups listed below.
-Get creative:
-Make the climate crisis the subject of your annual holiday/end-of-year letter to family and friends.
-Write and distribute a zine.
-Organize a climate writer’s group and publish an anthology.
-Write and perform climate songs.
-Organize a climate-focused open mic/poetry slam.
-Write and produce a play or a musical.
-Pitch a climate change column to your local newspaper.
-Organize a climate-themed writing contest. Make it Visual
–Project your message for everyone to see. Like this.
-#ShowYourStripes: Download graphics depicting global or local warming through a series of colored stripes and use them on your social media profiles, knit a warming stripes scarf, etc.
-Ed Hawkins’ Warming Stripes – Country/state level stripes.
-Jared Rennie’s Warming Stripes – Stripes for U.S. counties, based on Ed Hawkins’ stripes. Includes temperature and precipitation.
-Create a climate-themed playlist on YouTube highlighting climate science, climate activism, climate solutions, or all of the above. Add the playlist link to your email signature or social media bios.
-Organize a climate-related film screening.
-If you have animation, design, photography, filmmaking, performance, or other art-making skills, use them to shine light on the climate crisis. Participate in Government
Contact Your Elected Officials
-Create political will by calling, writing, emailing, faxing, and visiting your elected representatives to let them know you want strong government action on the climate emergency. Call whenever you can for urgent issues. Go to usa.gov to find names and contact information for your representatives at the federal, state, and local (city/county) level.
-Need some lobbying tips? This is a good list. Just read “climate” instead of “Humanist.” Participate in Public Meetings
Attend city council and other public meetings (e.g., transportation commissions or climate action plan workshops) and speak during public comments. Big decisions are often influenced by a relatively small group of people. Who are they? The ones who show up and speak up. Work on a Political Campaign
Find climate candidates in your area and volunteer to work on a political campaign. Climate candidates need your help! Run for Office
If the candidates on the ballot aren’t the ones you want, become the candidate you want to see. –RunforOffice.org – Find opportunities, learn how to run, and get voter information for your district.
–Candidate Boot Camp – Free resources and fee-based training for aspiring candidates.
–She Should Run – “Has prepared 21,000+ women to run for office.”
–VoteRunLead – “Trains women to run for office and win.” Take Part in the Legislative Process
-Track bills, review upcoming legislation, and see how your federal and state elected officials are voting.
-To see what’s happening with climate-related legislation at the state level, use the Energy State Bill Tracking Database.
-Propose new legislation:
-For Congress: Learn about types of legislation and the legislative process before drafting a bill.
-For State Legislature: Search online for “legislative process in [State]” to find information and resources provided by your state legislature.
-For your city: Learn about writing local ordinances and resolutions. Join an Action Group
Many of these groups have local chapters. Some organize online. Visit their websites for more information.
Adult-Led/Focused
–350 – “An international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all.”
–Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network, International – “A solutions-based organization established to engage women worldwide in policy advocacy, on-the-ground projects, direct action, trainings, and movement building for global climate justice.”
–Elders Climate Action – “We are elders, including grandparents, great aunts and great uncles who are determined to do all we can to leave a sustainable planet for future generations.”
–Mothers Out Front – “We build our power as mothers to ensure a livable climate for all children.“
–The Climate Mobilization – “Our mission: initiate a WWII-scale mobilization to reverse global warming and the mass extinction of species in order to protect humanity and the natural world from climate catastrophe.“
–Rising Tide North America – “We aim to support communities in making a ‘just transition,’ in which social and ecological needs are prioritized in the shift to a low-carbon society.”
–League of Conservation Voters – “Advocates for sound environmental laws and policies, holds elected officials accountable for their votes and actions, and elects pro-environment candidates who will champion our priority issues.”
–Climate Reality Project – “Our mission is to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every level of society.“
–Extinction Rebellion – “An international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimize the risk of social collapse.”
–Citizens Climate Lobby – “CCL’s preferred climate change solution is to put a price on carbon pollution and allocate the proceeds directly to Americans via a monthly dividend check, to spend as they see fit. “
–#Green for All – “Works to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty” by catalyzing action, convening leaders, and communicating solutions.”
–Climate Justice Alliance – “We are a growing member alliance of 70 urban and rural frontline communities, organizations and supporting networks in the climate justice movement.”
-There are many smaller groups focused on hyperlocal issues. You may be able to find them by going to the website for your local chapter of 350 or another group and checking out their partnerships. If there has been a large climate march in your area, search online for photos and you will find many group names on people’s signs. Youth-Led/Focused
–Fridays for Future – “#FridaysForFuture is a movement that began in August 2018, after 15 years old Greta Thunberg sat in front of the Swedish parliament every school day for three weeks, to protest against the lack of action on the climate crisis.”
–Sunrise Movement – “We’re building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent priority across America, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on our politics, and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people.”
–Earth Guardians – “We inspire and train diverse youth to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate and social justice movements.”
–This Zero Hour – “Organizing a movement that will ensure that our elected officials and leaders at every level of society stop ignoring the needs of young people and their right to a safe, healthy, and clean environment.”
–Earth Uprising – Building a youth council with representatives from every country to “tell their personal stories of the climate crisis, and use their lived experiences to imagine a new, sustainable future for our planet and humanity.”
–Alliance for Climate Education – “Our Fellowship is an advocacy training program that gives youth the skills and experience to become powerful climate activists.”
–Defend Our Future – “A non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to empowering young people of all political persuasions who are interested in advancing climate change and clean energy solutions that grow our economy and protect the world for future generations.”
–Future Coalition Future Accelerator – “Matches youth-led organizations, youth activists, and young people running for office with adult allies willing to lend their skills and expertise with the youth movement.” Adults can volunteer and youth can request services.
-Local chapters of adult organizations may also have a youth division, such as Youth vs. Apocalypse, which is affiliated with 350 Bay Area. Start Your Own Group or Movement
For ideas, see:
–Community Tool Box from Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas
–Beautiful Trouble Be the “First Follower”
-Look for people trying to get good ideas off the ground and, as Derek Sivers says in this classic TED Talk, transform “a lone nut into a leader.” Work to Get Money Out of Fossil Fuels
Since the Paris Agreement was signed, large investment banks have ponied up more than $700 billion to finance new coal, oil, and natural gas projects. Join the movement promoting fossil fuel divestment and reinvestment in climate solutions. -Demand that governments stop subsidizing fossil fuel industries. In 2017, tax dollars provide direct and indirect subsidies of $5.2 trillion worldwide.
–DivestInvest – Record your organization’s commitment to DivestInvest and/or pledge to DivestInvest your personal assets.
–Mazaska Talks – A network and resource hub for individuals across the country who want to divest their cities from banks that finance fossil fuel projects and related repression of indigenous and human rights. –Go Fossil Free – Learn how to run a Fossil Free campaign.
–WECAN Divestment Delegations – “We are organizing for strategic campaigns and targeted delegations to call for divestment; to stop pipelines, fossil fuel infrastructure, and extraction at the source; and to give voice to the impacts of extractive industries on women and children.”
–Fossil Free Funds – Find out if your savings are invested in fossil fuels and search for mutual funds and ETFs that avoid fossil fuel investments. Protect Democracy
Register Voters & Turn Out the Vote
–Ballotpedia – Register to vote and get information about voting.
–nextgen america – Register to vote and volunteer to register college students to vote.
–OneMillionofUs – “A youth-led voting & advocacy organization that is rallying 1M+ young people to register & turnout to vote in the 2020 election and beyond.”
–Youth Voter Movement – Get all the info and resources you need to conduct a student-led voter registration drive.
–Environmental Voter Project– Call or text environmentally minded voters and ask them to vote.
–Elders Climate Action Promote the Vote – Help mobilize climate voters.
–Voter Participation Center – Mobilize “the rising American electorate” (unmarried women, people of color, and millennials).
–Let America Vote – Fight voter suppression and protect voting rights. The State-by-State Voting Legislation Analysis “gives you a look into what state legislatures did this past legislative session to advocate for–or unfortunately all too often try to strip away–voting rights.”
–National Youth Rights Association – Work to lower the voting age. Vote in Every Election & Prioritize Climate
–Verify your voter registration.
–Find your polling place.
-Evaluate the candidates on climate:
–Climate 2020 Voter Guide – “A climate voter’s guide to the primary contenders’ track records and campaign proposals,” courtesy of the Climate 2020 podcast team.
–Greenpeace: Where’s Your 2020 Candidate on Climate? – “Greenpeace asked the 2020 candidates how they’ll act on the climate crisis if they become president. Here’s what they said… or didn’t say.” To get the most out of this website, be sure to click the “Read more” link at the end of each candidate description.
–Vote Climate U.S. PAC 2020 Presidential Candidates Voter’s Guide – Click the little green plus sign next to each candidate’s name for details. –Climate Justice Alliance – Scroll for CJA statements on 2020 presidential candidates’ climate plans.
–Data for Progress Green New Deal: Candidate Scorecards – “Using a rubric of 48 essential Green New Deal components, we identify where each candidate 1) addressed a component with a proposed federal policy or action, 2) acknowledged a component but lacked clear policy details, or 3) did not include a component.” Get Money Out of Politics
–Wolf Pac – “Add a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will ensure the integrity of our elections and establish a government accountable to the people.”
–Move to Amend – A movement “to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.”
–RepresentUS – “We bring together conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between to pass powerful anti-corruption laws that stop political bribery, end secret money, and fix our broken elections.”
–Reclaim Democracy – “We believe that one’s influence should be a direct result of the quality of one’s ideas and the energy one puts into promoting these ideas, independent of wealth or status.” Hold Governments & Corporations Accountable
-Call, email, or write companies and ask them about their practices and/or plans around clean/renewable energy, product stewardship, carbon removal, etc.
-Volunteer with Corporate Accountability and help make big polluters pay to fix the climate catastrophe they’ve caused.
-Become an Earth Protector and help make ecocide (destroying the Earth) a crime
-For youth: Sign the Young People’s Brief in support of Juliana v. United States (see Youth v. Gov / Our Children’s Trust).
-Sue the government and/or oil companies. Visit Climate Liability News to learn about current climate-related lawsuits.
-Support organizations that sue the government or oil companies, such as EarthJustice and Center for Biological Diversity.
-Support organizations conducting the critical research needed to demand climate accountability from oil companies and governments, such as Climate Accountability Institue, producer of the Carbon Majors report. Be an Advocate for the World We Need
Sustainable Transportation
Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in the United States. Electric cars charged on 100% renewable energy are great, but they’re not the whole solution. To decarbonize transportation, we need to provide better transportation alternatives and infrastructure. Advocating for alternatives is a great way to do something tangible at the local or regional level. – Streetsblog USA – The #1 way to get up to speed on how transportation policy is changing and happening right now, day by day.
–Fight for Your Ride – “An advocate’s guide for expanding and improving transit” from Transportation for America.
–How to Advocate for Local Transit in Your Community – An on-demand webinar from Island Press, no registration required.
–Public Advocates – “Investing in the transportation needs of low-income communities of color.”
-APTA: American Public Transportation Association – Information, publications, and statistics. “APTA is the only association in North America that represents all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail.”
–People for Bikes – Connect with your local bike advocacy organization.
–The League of American Bicyclists – Offers an Active Transportation Leadership Institute, advocacy guides, and a Bicycle Friendly Business program.
–How to Encourage Cycling – A great bike advocacy list from Bicycle Universe.
–Local Pedestrian Advocacy Groups – Connect with your local pedestrian advocacy organization with this list from Where the Sidewalk Starts.
–America Walks – Learn how to make your community a great place to walk. Offers a pedestrian advocacy toolkit. Clean Energy
It’s time to stop powering our economy with dirty fossil fuels. Clean energy is here and it’s cheaper than fossil fuels. –Clean Energy for All – Join “the grassroots campaign that is moving our country closer to 100 percent clean energy by 2050.”
-Search for “advocate for clean energy [your location] to find local campaigns and resources. Healthy, Mature, Biologically Diverse Forests
Planting trees is good, but protecting existing forests is better. In fact, “the largest potential for reducing emissions from the land sector is from curbing deforestation and forest degradation.” –Amazon Watch
–Rainforest Action Network
–Rainforest Alliance
–WECAN International Women for Forests Improved Agricultural Practices & Soil Health
Everyone who eats should care passionately about soil health. When soil degrades, carbon moves from the soil to the atmosphere and ocean, contributing to climate change. Degraded soils jeopardize the world food supply. In fact, we may have only 60 years of harvests left if we don’t act now to improve soil health. -Read The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide by Daniel Imhoff to learn about organizing to influence agriculture policy and practice.
–Kiss the Ground – Train to become an advocate for soil health. The Rights of Nature
Join the movement to grant legal rights to rivers and other natural entities. –Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature – “The Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (the “Alliance”) is a global network of organizations and individuals committed to the universal adoption and implementation of legal systems that recognize, respect and enforce “Rights of Nature”.
-Pachamama – “Working for the universal adoption and implementation of Rights of Nature.”
-Earth Law Center – “We work with local communities around the world to help them defend the rights of Nature and to protect their environment from threats.”
-WECAN International – “Hand in hand with our advocacy for Rights of Nature is…an emphasis on the importance of Indigenous wisdom in guiding the development of Earth Laws” A Circular / Regenerative Economy
A circular economy can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by preventing waste and keeping materials in use. –The Repair Association – Works to “pass Fair Repair / Right to Repair legislation at the state level, so that every consumer and every small business has access to the parts, tools, and service information they need.”
–Product Stewardship Institute – Works “to ensure that those who design, manufacture, sell, and use consumer products take responsibility for reducing negative impacts to the economy, environment, public health, and worker safety.” The Product Stewardship Institute serves governments, producers, recyclers, and “consumers.” See the “How You Can Help” section at the bottom of every page in the Products section of the website.
–Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Provides “the necessary tools and methodology specifically developed for businesses, designers and governments to implement a circular economy framework and measure successes.”