Summer Weather is Changing and What You Can Do
Summer – time to gather, relax and take vacations.. But the summers we remember are changing, and not for the better.
Farmers lament the severe drought in the Northwest. The National Interagency Fire Center warns California wildfires could start in June this year. And the 2021 hurricane season is predicted to be ominous, after 2020’s record breaking 30 storms.
We have the necessary tools to help prevent further damage to our climate, but they require everyone to do the work. No one is going to make the switch for you.
What can you do to help?
Reduce or Avoid Fossil Fuel Use – Bike! Walk! Invest in an electric car or solar panels on your house. Purchase solar renewable energy certificates and start grassroots investments (like purchasing solar bonds) in renewable energy.
Make your Home more Energy Efficient – Switch out lightbulbs, insulate well, turn off unnecessary appliances. Turn up your thermostat (yes I said UP, you’ll be fine at 78, I promise). Try turning off all your devices and lights for one night a week or even one night a month! Sit outside and relax instead.
Buy Local – Walkable communities are healthy communities. The closer we source our goods, the fewer emissions produced to get our goods to us. Support a local farm share or go to the farmer’s market. Remember to bring your reusable bag!
What can municipalities, businesses and policy makers do?
Every industry and sector can make changes to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis. Support energy efficiency and sustainable business practices at your work and in your community. Let your policy makers know you want them to keep the regulatory pressure on the largest polluters, both domestically and internationally.
Oil and gas producers are easily the top five polluters, they have the greatest potential to cut emissions and we need to stop subsidizing their costly model of business. Promote the implementation of solar and other renewable energy sources in your community and State and vote for candidates who do the same.
How do we keep it imperative?
Some of the most important work to implement sustainable practices is done on the local level. Find out if your community has a sustainability task force and get involved.
Don’t have a sustainable task force in your community? Start one! Here’s how.
The WHOI Sustainability Task Force operates nationally and is an advocate for sustainable initiatives and how to connect you to local efforts.
The Drawdown Ecochallenge is all about starting an initiative locally, you can join initiatives near you and see examples of local efforts going on now!
Keep up the good fight everyone.
