By Washington Post Staff. Read the full article here.
Small changes alone won’t stop climate change, but that doesn’t mean you should feel helpless, or that your actions aren’t worthwhile. Even small actions will contribute to keeping our planet habitable. Here are 10 places you can start. Read the article for lots of good detail.
- Create less food waste. The carbon footprint of U.S. food waste is greater than that of the airline industry. The biggest proportion of food waste happens in the home.
- Ditch your grass. Replacing grass with plants is among the most important ways to keep a yard eco-friendly. The EPA says US lawn care consumes nearly 3 trillion gallons of water a year, as well as 59 million pounds of pesticides, which seep into our land and waterways. Americans used roughly 3 billion gallons of gasoline just to run lawn and garden equipment.
- Save coral reefs by packing smartly for your beach vacation. Skip sunscreens and toiletries that contain oxybenzone and other chemicals and opt for mineral-based products instead.
- Shop sustainably by buying less. There are very few things you can purchase that are actively beneficial for the climate. Think before you buy.
- Protect our forests. Engaging with forestry organizations and the policy process are ways to encourage protection of trees and the nation’s old-growth forests. Learn how important trees are to a healthy climate.
- Trade in for an electric car. EV prices should come down in the next few years. If buying an electric car isn’t feasible for you right now — and you need a car to get around — a hybrid is the next-best thing.
- Weatherize your home. According to the Energy Department, 25 to 30 percent of household heating and cooling is lost through windows. The easiest way to weatherize is to close the cracks around windows and doors. The article offers lots more tips.
- Learn about the link between climate change and racial equity. Understanding that climate change will disproportionally impact communities of color and low income neighborhoods is an important step toward battling global warming and creating a more just world.
- Consider carbon offsets. Offsets are a way for one person to pay someone else to reduce emissions to cover emissions that they can’t reduce themselves. But make sure you do your research. Learn how offsets work and how to find reputable ones.
- Pass it on. Share these tips with friends and family and help them take steps to make their lives a little more climate-friendly.