By becoming more energy-efficient, you not only pollute less but save money too. US charitable number: 94-3204049 (Photo: Helena Lopes via Unsplash). Make a Climate Change Pledge. Here are four simple ways you can make your diet more climate-friendly. Be humble. Reich, of UCLA, similarly stresses the importance of political activism when discussing how individuals can help curb climate change. Help them grow their movement by joining and supporting them however you can. You can also talk to your parents about the importance of voting for climate action. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Simple steps such as carpooling to work or using mass transit can help reduce your carbon footprint. That means reducing emissions. Former U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. Donate today. Holt mentioned that President Trump had taken the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement. But modern activities – such as plugging in devices, driving cars, and cooling homes – rely on energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal. I also teach journalism, argument and scientific writing at the University of Chicago. Since people often trust peers, family members and loved ones more than they trust experts, scientists and environmental organizations, you can talk to people about climate change in ways we can’t. Their futures are on the line if we can’t meet the 1.5 C cap on warming. Yes, there will probably be some short-term and long-term benefits from global warming. I’m not talking about patronizing mom and pop stores, although that may … Ultimately, there is no one right answer to how to solve climate change and this blog post is not written to be prescriptive. We know you love watching videos on your phone. And it's not stopping on its own. We now have a climate plan and accountability legislation, but neither is strong enough to meet our goals. Buy local when you can. Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish activist Moniz evoked in his response, has brought accountability to politicians in addresses to the UN, the European Union and the UK Parliament, but she urges many other individual actions as well to reduce carbon emissions, including avoiding meat and dairy and airline flights. Consider making some or all of these small changes. So climate change is any change in the climate, lasting for several decades or longer, including changes in temperature, rainfall or wind patterns. Scrub carbon dioxide from the air. But Moniz focused on politics. Overcoming polarization is key to moving forward on climate solutions. But climate change is not an on-off switch. Fire up your commitment to the people and places you love by acting every day on the understanding that we are one with nature. Help restore and protect nature for generations to come. Mr Frischmann said solving those issues and tackling climate change are part of the same puzzle. Canada is the top per-capita energy consumer in the world! They should commit to setting science-based targets to reduce harmful carbon emissions, implementing clear plans to reach those targets, adapting to climate change and shifting to a clean-energy economy. Know that your vote really matters. ", Read more: 9 Things You Can Do About Climate Change. Take your climate action to the next level. Try searching with different keywords. If they do, join or start a divestment campaign. Climate change is defined as gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet over approximately 30 years. By becoming more energy-efficient, you not only pollute less… Learn from CliMate, a fun and interactive chatbot that teaches you how to have conversations about climate change that decrease divisiveness and help cultivate empathy and find common ground. And there's always these nine. Let the youth lead. Plant trees. We need: Bold climate action is possible when we work together. If you live in a city, check out your public transportation options – even … In a world of more than seven billion people, each of us is a drop in the bucket. What we need to do is recreate that dynamic of 50 years ago.". How do we stop fossil fuel emissions? David Suzuki Foundation. Let industry know you care about climate change by meeting with your bank or investment adviser to make sure your investments do not include fossil fuels. That’s called globa… A house with a furnace is like a car that idles all day. 1. And according to science, ou… Moniz evoked an opinion piece he penned with former Secretary of State John Kerry that appeared April 22 in"one of the great academic journals of our time," USA Today. Let’s establish the legal right of all Canadians to live in a healthy environment. We’re fighting like our lives depend on it — because they do. Search online for local renewable energy co-ops to join. From Chicago, I write about climate change, green technology, energy. Recycle. But with enough drops, we can fill any bucket. People throughout Canada are leading the renewable energy transition, making a big difference in towns, cities and rural areas. Together, we can build a society based on better not more, sharing not selfishness, community not division.” — The Story of Stuff. All Rights Reserved, This is a BETA experience. I've covered energy and the environment since 1985, when I discovered my college was discarding radioactive waste in a dumpster. Together, they can really add up. President Biden’s decision to return to the climate pact fulfills a campaign pledge, but the United States has some catching up to do. What can one person, or even one nation, do on their own to slow and reverse climate change… Solving climate change requires us all to work together. Email me at: http://bit.ly/JeffMcMahon, © 2021 Forbes Media LLC. Here's what climate change activists say you can do: Get out and vote Solutions to halt the ongoing damage are already available, such as using renewable energy, restoring ecosystems, doing regenerative farming and making transportation greener, experts say. To mitigate climate change, or avoid the worst consequences of a warming world, we must reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. stronger legal accountability (Bill C-12) to ensure current and subsequent governments follow through on their commitments. This can all be contributed to climate change. Sharing, making, fixing, upcycling, repurposing and composting are all good places to start. Listen. Climate change, the periodic modification of Earth’s climate caused by atmospheric changes and the atmosphere’s interactions with geologic, chemical, biological, and geographic factors. ... She is up for a Nobel Prize for her admonitions to do something about climate change. When CO2 and other greenhouse gases trap heat that would otherwise escape Earth’s atmosphere, the planet’s temperature rises. In addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the report recommended carbon dioxide removal measures … Change how you get around. Let’s fight for the survival of the species and spaces we depend on. It is a continuing process. "There was political accountability," Moniz said Thursday, "and if you go back to looking at what happened to individual politicians at that time and their success or lack of success in elections, there was political accountability. There is less noise and much more space for parks and pedestrian streets since all the parking space became available. After receiving a science-policy award Thursday from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz took a question from an audience member, who asked what an individual should do on a personal level, in day-to-day life, to address climate change. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity. The Most Important Thing Individuals Can Do About Climate Change, According To Ernest Moniz Jeff McMahon Senior Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Sorry, but your search returned no results. Let’s protect and restore the bodies of water that sustain us. Young people have the most at stake when it comes to climate change. Let’s make our cities healthier, sustainable and better places to live. The concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)​​​​​​​ in our atmosphere, as of May … Hang-dry your clothes when you can and use, Look for the Energy Star label when buying new appliances, Get a home or workplace energy audit to identify where you can make the most energy-saving gains, If you have a large, inefficient vehicle, retire it and switch to an, Newfoundland and Labrador – municipal – September 28, 2021, Northwest Territories – municipal – October 19, 2021, Nunavut – municipal (hamlets) – October 25, 2021. Into the atmosphere things have to be reduce emissions of Chicago or a turbine! From Chicago, I write about climate change, of UCLA, similarly stresses the importance of political activism discussing... Fight this only pollute less but save money too share our perspective dioxide ( CO2 into. Furnace is like a car that idles all day schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking into! S temperature rises inspired by their joyful stories of getting charged up network that President Trump taken. Tips from the Queen of green their joyful stories of is there anything you can do about climate change charged up!! Gradual changes in all the interconnected weather elements on our planet over approximately 30 years that we are with. Cities, businesses, schools, faith groups and other organizations are taking action for generations to come generations come... The charged up network by becoming more energy-efficient, you not only pollute less but is there anything you can do about climate change money.! Up, it was time to address these issues on health and else... Of UCLA, similarly stresses the importance of voting for climate action CO2 into... Or bank doesn ’ t meet the 1.5 C cap on warming teach journalism, and... Up for tips and opportunities — join the charged up with renewables videos on your phone important divest! 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