The Climate Action Handbook

Table Of Contents

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Overview
Greenhouse Gases: Whey are they such a problem?
Understanding the Scale of the Problem
Understanding the Inequities of Climate Change 
Climate Impacts Across the U.S. 
Climate Action in Focus: Climate Mitigation & Adaptation 

Starting and Sustaining Your Climate Action Journey

Action 1: Consider Collective and Individual Actions 
Action 2: Understand the Disconnect Between Our Actions and Our Impact 
Action 3: Be Privy to the Politics of Climate Change 
Action 4: Beware the Coordinated Corporate Anti-Climate Campaign 
Action 5: Center Action in Your Strengths and Passions 
  
Energy Production and Transportation

Action 6: Know What Powers You…and Your Home 
Action 7: Support Renewables in Your Region 
Action 8: Curb the Cost of Renewable Energy 
Action 9: Weigh the Impact of Decarbonization 
Action 10: Commute Mindfully 
Action 11: Consider Carpooling and Rideshares 
Action 12: Buy and Drive an Electric Car 
Action 13: Drive Efficiently 
Action 14: Be Idle Free 
  
Travel and Work

Action 15: Fly Less, Fly Economy 
Action 16: Vacation Closer to Home 
Action 17: Hotel or Home Share? Seek Out Eco-Friendly Accommodations 
Action 18: Reduce Trash When You Travel 
Action 19: Find Alternatives for Work-Related Travel 
Action 20: Divest and Reinvest 
Action 21: Learn More About Climate Financing 
Action 22: Work Remotely if Possible 
Action 23: Seek Out Climate Solutions in the Workplace 
Action 24: Reduce the Climate Footprints in the Buildings Around Us 
Action 25: Go Green and Cool with Rooftops 
Action 26: Consider Climate as Part of Your Career 
Action 27: Use Caution with Corporate Climate Commitments 

Food and Farming

Action 28: Eat Your Broccoli and Pass on the Meat 
Action 29: Waste Not Want Not: Cut Down on Your Food Waste 
Action 30: Compost 
Action 31: Shop for or Order Your Meals Mindfully 
Action 32: The Climate Cost of Food Take-Out and Delivery 
Action 33: Thoughtfully Opt for Meat Alternatives 
Action 34: Switch to Non-Dairy Alternatives 
Action 35: Assess the Pros and Cons of Eating Local 
Action 36: Enjoy Your Chocolate Responsibly 
Action 37: Drink Responsibly–Imbibe with Climate in Mind 
Action 38: Get to Know Your Favorite Coffee 
Action 39: Support Local, Sustainable Fisheries 
 
Shopping and Consumer Choices

Action 40: Reduce Consumption Through Community Sharing 
Action 41: Turn Away from Fast Fashion 
Action 42: Weigh Your Diaper Options Carefully 
Action 43: Ditch the Bottled Water 
Action 44: Reduce Your Consumption of Disposable Plastic 
Action 45: Learn About Microplastics and How You Can Avoid Them 
Action 46: Make More Thoughtful Online Purchases 
Action 47: Slow Down Your Shipping 
Action 48: Keep Your Devices Longer and Dispose of Electronics Properly 
Action 49: Shop Your Values (pull quote or other simple treatment) 
Action 50: Beware Greenwashing 
 
Actions Around the Home

Action 51: Protect Your Property and Consider Where You Rent or Buy 
Action 52: Check your Insurance Policy and Premium 
Action 53: Prepare a “Go-Bag” and a “Stay-Bin” 
Action 54: Create a More Energy-Efficient Home 
Action 55: From Your Cooktop to Rooftop: Work Towards Electrification 
Action 56: Be Thoughtful About Your Air Conditioning 
Action 57: Go Solar 
Action 58: Lighten the Load and Switch to LEDs 
Action 59: Go Low Flow With Your Fixtures 
Action 60: Clean Your Clothes Efficiently 
Action 61: Garden for a Greener Planet 
Action 62: Reduce Waste and Recycle 
Action 63: Calculate your Carbon Footprint 
 
Nature-based and Natural Solutions

Action 64: (Carefully) Consider Carbon Removal and Offsets 
Action 65: Learn About and Champion Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage 
Action 66: Plant a Tree…or a Trillion 
Action 67: Reduce Your Carbon Offsets 
Action 68: Clean Up Your Dirt 
Action 69: Support Coastal Wetland Conservation 
Action 70: Conserve, Restore, (Re)connect Land 
Action 71: Go Green with Our Infrastructure 
Action 72: Plant Trees to Shade Houses and Buildings 

Health and Wellbeing

Action 73: Protect Yourself and Your Community from Extreme Heat 
Action 74: Protect Your Air 
Action 75: Prepare for More Pests 
Action 76: Address Your Mental Health and Anxiety 
Action 77: Express Yourself Creatively 
Action 78: Buy Beauty Products Responsibly 
Action 79: Change Your Fitness Pattern and Habits 
Action 80: Cherish Your Winter Recreation 
Action 81: Pay the Appropriate Fees for Outdoor Recreation 

Civic and Community Engagement

Action 82: Vote in Every Election 
Action 83: Engage Your Elected Officials 
Action 84: Champion Climate Planning in Your Community 
Action 85: Contribute to a Local Community Groups and Organizations 
Action 86: Support Youth Climate Activism 
Action 87: Share Your Observations and Experiences 
Action 88: Role-Play Climate Solutions 

Education and Climate Information

Action 89: Act on Behalf of Your Children’s Future 
Action 90: Seek Climate Solutions for School Buses and Buildings 
Action 91: Teach Climate Change in the Classroom 
Action 92: Talk Climate with Our Kids 
Action 93: Be a Savvy Consumer of Information 
Action 94: Track the State of the Science 
Action 95: Look to Local Climate Science Leaders 
Action 96: Look to Local Community Climate Leaders 
Action 97: Talk About Climate Issues with Friends and Family 
Action 98: Get Social on Social Media 
Action 99: Embrace Your Inner Bookworm 
Action 100: Celebrate Success and Express Gratitude 
 
Conclusion: Continuing Your Climate Action Journey
 
Notes
Acknowledgments
Index