Climate Solutions for Individuals and Families

Step One: It's ok to talk about climate

54% of Americans believe climate change is a serious problem. Only 7% are actively opposed to trying to solve it, but you wouldn’t know it from the information we hear in our day to day lives. The polarization in our country around global warming has made it difficult to even mention it in casual conversation.

It only takes 25% of a community to cause change. You can help by not shying away from how it concerns you when talking with your friends and family. You don’t have to advocate for particular solutions. You don’t have to spend time becoming an expert in the subject, or engage in uncomfortable arguments. Simply mentioning your worries about the effects of climate change on you, your family and your community helps raise awareness that these feelings are normal and reasonable.

Step Two: Advocate for action

The vast majority of climate change stems from systems that no one person can affect. The energy intensity of our cities, the way we fuel our transportation and grow the food that feeds the billions of humans on this planet are not going to be solved by changing light bulbs alone.

How we act collectively will be determined by who we elect as leaders and how we hold them accountable. So volunteer for and vote for candidates who will act on climate. Write letters to your local, state and federal politicians and let them know you expect realistic, effective solutions on a time scale that will actually make a difference. Find others in your community who want action and organize to make your voice heard, emphatically and consistently, that this isn’t just an issue that will go away. Provide vocal support for elected leaders who need to see a popular groundswell of support to enact policies that will make our future brighter and more resilient.

Step Three: Personal action

Steps one and two will have the biggest impact on solving climate change. But, there’s no reason to wait for politicians to act before you start living as if the world has already changed. There are steps you can take as an individual or as a family that can help you decarbonize your own life. Just remember, it’s better to focus on finding success making a few truly meaningful changes than burning yourself out trying to do everything perfectly. Change has to happen at all levels, and you don’t need to carry the world on your shoulders to do your part.

Electrify
When you need to replace appliances, cars, or other devices you own that directly use gasoline, natural gas or other fossil fuels, replace them with ones that use electricity instead. These electric replacements can be powered by renewable sources, and are nearly always much more efficient.

Reduce how much meat (and other animal products) you consume
There are many energy intensive inputs that go into the food that we eat. Animal products compound this because only about ten percent of the energy they consume gets passed onto us. Reducing the amount of meat that we eat reduces the amount of energy needed to feed the world, eases the pressure on valuable, carbon-negative ecosystems, and can give you the opportunity to experience new dishes from cultures near and far.

Eat seasonally
Food that is in season in your area doesn’t have to waste energy travelling halfway around the world to your plate. Learn what foods grow nearby at different times of the year, and save the long-distance foods for special occasions.

​Live close to work and school
Transportation is a large part of our carbon emissions. Replacing whatever vehicle you drive with something fully electric might not be affordable for you yet. But the lowest-energy commute is always the one you can do with your feet. If you find yourself in the position to move, consider finding a home that is within walking or biking distance to where you work, or where your kids go to school, or both. You’ll get to know the place you live that much better, and could potentially get back hours of your week you used to spend in traffic.