How can we help counter global warming?

In working with the students in my environmental studies class a few weeks ago, I realized how many of them were unsure about how we should go about constructively reacting to global warming.   They all had ideas about how we as individuals can reduce our footprints, but many had trouble seeing how to change the larger system.  All of us who are concerned about the effects of global warming experience that struggle.  I think it is important to remember though, that there are many actions we can take that will help turn the tide and decrease our global carbon emissions.  I start with the personal, but if you are ready to move beyond that and take more action, I also offer suggestions for larger scale action.

Personal actions

Starting with your personal actions is important.  What each of us does affects how much carbon is released into the atmosphere.  Also, changing your own habits can make you more aware of some of the larger issues.  Where does your electricity come from?  Can you change that?  Do you have to drive a car to work?  Why?  Is there any way to change that?

There are a number of sites with recommendations on how you can change your own habits.  For example, this American Public Media site offers tips on everything from buying local and with less packaging to carbon-friendly entertainment.  The EPA also has some great recommendations on "What You Can Do" to decrease emissions.  What I especially like about the EPA site is that is goes beyond personal recommendations to considering education.  It offers suggestions for administrators as well as educators and students.

Ultimately, building houses that use passive solar systems and building cities that we can easily navigate without cars are key to making our home lives more carbon friendly.  Immediate changes can make a big difference, though:

• Buy less:  do you really need the newest gadget?  Can you do with fewer clothes?  Can you buy more food in bulk to decrease packaging?
• Choose different transport
• carpool
• take the bus
• ride your bike
• walk
• take the train instead of a plane on a longer trip
• Reduce home emissions
• turn down your thermostat (when it is cold outside) 
• update your home's insulation
• open a window instead of using air conditioning
• buy EnergyStar appliances when you update
• install compact fluorescent bulbs
• Choose food that you know has a lower carbon footprint:  Knowing how "your" farmer grows food is important.  Be aware of whether they minimize use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, that they grow close to your home, that they are not growing in a heated greenhouse but just using the power of the sun-- all of these make a difference.  Farmers markets are a great choice when they are in season, as are Community Supported Agriculture Systems.
• Recycle what you can

 

Beyond the personal:  What else can you do? 

Here is where many of us struggle the most.  The big changes really need to affect whole cities, states and countries, right?  What can I possibly do about that?

Education

Are your schools teaching about climate change and the positive actions we can take?  Ask teachers you know.  If they are not explicitly teaching about global warming, encourage them.  Go to school board meetings.  Discuss it with your child's teacher.  Write to the big textbook manufacturers.  For example, call the McGraw Hill customer service representatives and tell them you want to sample their best texts on climate change-- ask them what they have.  They just got rated a "green" company; do their books live up to that?  Organize a petition to encourage your school district or textbook manufacturers to improve.

Local government

Local governments in the U.S. have been among the most active in combating climate change.  The U.S. Conference of Majors has been taking action.  Mayors are working on decreasing their city's emissions while also preparing for more severe heat waves and rising oceans.  Cities like Seattle and Chicago are already changing practices.  Is your city taking part?  Write to your mayor's office if they are not.  Find out why.  Organize a petition to encourage decreased emissions.  Ask that city planning decrease the need to use a car-- one vital part of decreasing our carbon emissions.  Help make it happen.

State government

How do your state's policy makers measure up?  Are they helping to make long-distance mass transit possible?  Wisconsin's governor turned down funding for a major long-distance, high-speed rail system that would have linked Chicago to Madison to Minneapolis.  That is only one of many reasons that a major segment of the state has organized a recall election against him.  But it is an important one.  How our state governors and legislators prepare for climate change will have a long-term impact on our efforts to minimize emissions.

Shouldn't our U.S. governors be organizing the same way that the mayors are?  Write to your governor and to the National Governors Association.  Write to your state-level representatives.  Vote, organize petitions and make your voice heard.

National government

The United States is among the few developed nations that did not sign the Kyoto Protocol agreement that requires countries to limit their carbon emissions.  Countries in Europe are already making significant strides toward reducing emissions, with emissions reduced 17% over 1990 levels (see "Climate Change" under "Key Findings and Recommendations).  Why  has that not happened in the U.S.?  Hold your state's senators and representatives accountable:  Are they working to bring better climate policies to the table?  Will they encourage the country to participate in new rounds of climate talks?  Again, write letters, organize petitions.  Write to the President, too.

What else?

Do you have other ideas on how we should go about decreasing global warming?  I look forward to your suggestions!