We all want to help address the climate crisis. But it’s such a complex issue that it can be hard to distinguish between data-backed improvements and feel-good distractions. So here's your data-backed guide: erikareinhardt.com/personal-clima…
There's no way that climate will be solved without gov support. Your most important action is to make climate a priority by voting for and supporting pro-climate candidates, joining a climate action or political group, and supporting mitigation policy and adaptation nonprofits.
Many people own appliances and vehicles that burn fossil fuels. That's directly at odds with getting to zero-emissions. Your gas stove, water heater, space heater, and dryer all need to replaced with electric versions at the next opportunity, ditto your car. #electrifyeverything
If you're ever remodeling or building a new home, *please* ask for it to be all-electric. Otherwise you'll be kicking yourself when you face more expensive retrofits and appliance replacements down the road. This policy change is coming, and you can get ahead of it.
All that will put more load on our electrical system, but fortunately we have a path to 100% clean energy. Help accelerate that transition by buying renewables, and installing solar or wind if you can (if not, try to support community solar). Easiest way: arcadia.com
If you do all the above (not that long of a list!), you will no longer own infrastructure that's directly emitting greenhouse gas 🙌. But the above only account for 45% of average American emissions today. The remaining 55% is through the food, goods, and services we each buy.
The _only_ way to hit zero emissions is for each of these industries to transform to be zero-emissions themselves. Which is why the most important thing to do is push for systemic change. This is, in the end, the largest systems challenge humanity has ever faced.
But because we care about our overall carbon budget, not just hitting zero, we don't want to be wasteful. It all adds up. The biggest, easy, cost-saving things you can do? Reduce unnecessary air travel, reduce food waste, and eat less beef and lamb.
Individually these changes are very small, but they make them socially acceptable, and put your skin (even more) in the climate game. If you do them quietly, it's a drop in the bucket. If you do them vocally, you can create a sea change.
Finally, until all industry goes carbon-neutral, we’ll all continue indirectly emitting carbon. While it’s *always* preferable to avoid emitting greenhouse gases in the first place, our next best option is to offset our remaining footprint. Easiest way: projectwren.com
Our future decarbonized world is one of fabulous technology, high quality of living, and restored natural ecosystems — let’s do this! 💪
Pumped to get started? 27 things you can do at lunch today to get going: erikareinhardt.com/climate-action…
Pumped to get started? 27 things you can do at lunch today to get going: erikareinhardt.com/climate-action…
