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While this article is a bit aged it still has some important and still entirely relevant information regarding climate action. This article on the Union of Concerned Scientists talks about 10 reasons to promote taking action in attempt to better the environment/climate. A few points that really stuck out in the article are: Creating jobs that provide new opportunities, improving the health of all people, and saves elements that are crucial to the environment.
-Maddie Gourley

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Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our day. Several recent studies show that acting quickly and decisively to address this challenge and shift our economy to clean energy will bring significant benefits to the United States-while also helping us avoid some of the worst consequences of unchecked global warming.

Congress has begun the historic process of enacting legislation to reduce global warming emissions and transition the United States to a clean energy economy. To be most effective, such legislation should

put the nation on a path to cutting emissions by at least 80 percent by 2050 and require significant reductions in the near term as well

be comprehensive, combining a cap on carbon emissions with crucial policies that help us shift to more efficient and cleaner forms of energy and transportation

protect tropical forests and fund adaptation to climate change

Below are 10 reasons for strong action to promote clean energy and curb climate change.
1. Helping Avoid the Runaway Costs of Climate Change

Every region in the United States is already experiencing the costly effects of climate change-including coastal areas threatened by rising sea levels and more intense hurricanes; Midwest farmlands facing more crop-damaging heat waves, pests, and flooding; and communities in the West and Southwest experiencing drought and wildfires.

Action to sharply reduce our global warming emissions can greatly curtail the costs of climate change, especially over the longer term. For example, climate action can help numerous businesses that are vulnerable to a changing climate, from maple sugaring in the Northeast and skiing in Colorado to vital energy and transportation companies that depend on offshore oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico and shipping on the Great Lakes.

One study has estimated that, if emissions remain unchecked, losses related to just four areas-hurricane damages, energy costs, water costs, and residential costs stemming from sea-level rise-could equal 1.4 percent of GDP by 2025, and 1.9 percent of GDP by 2100.

2. Creating Jobs

Renewable energy has been one of the bright spots of the U.S. economy during these hard times. The solar industry estimates that it created more than 15,000 jobs in 2007 and 2008, and the wind industry boasts of having created more than 35,000 new direct and indirect jobs in 2008.

A recent Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) study found that a standard requiring the nation to produce 25 percent of all electricity from renewable sources by 2025 would create nearly 300,000 new U.S. jobs. That is three times the number of jobs that would be created by producing the same amount of electricity from coal and natural gas. Such a "renewable electricity standard" could also stimulate the national as well as local economies by generating $263 billion in new capital investment, $14 billion in income for U.S. farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners, and $12 billion in new local tax revenues.

3. Competing Internationally

The clean energy economy is poised to be the growth industry of the future worldwide, and the United States could be at the vanguard of that trend if we adopt strong renewable energy policies today. But we will have to pick up the pace to stay competitive internationally. China-already the world's largest producer of solar panels-recently committed to increasing its solar power capacity 15 times over by 2011, aiming for two gigawatts of installed capacity by that year. Similarly, India is planning to boost solar power from near zero to 20 gigawatts by 2020, part of an ambitious $19 billion, 30-year plan to increase the share of renewables in that country's energy mix.

The United States must continue to expand its burgeoning clean energy industries-wind, solar, biomass, geothermal power, and efficient vehicles, among others-to keep pace with other countries. Strong policies to promote investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean transportation, as part of a comprehensive climate plan, will create the momentum to keep these industries internationally competitive.

4. Improving Public Health

If global warming continues unabated, extreme heat waves that now occur once every 20 years are projected to occur about every other year by the end of the century in much of the country. Urban areas such as Philadelphia, Chicago, and Indianapolis will likely experience the worst effects. Higher temperatures and the associated stagnant air masses, interacting with pollution from vehicles and industry, are also expected to increase the frequency and intensity of conditions conducive to smog formation. Children, the elderly, and the poor are particularly vulnerable to respiratory, cardiovascular, and heat-related illnesses exacerbated by these conditions.

Conversely, reducing our emissions through a shift to cleaner forms of energy will not only help slow global warming but will also improve air quality, reducing the cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses that result from high levels of ozone and airborne particulates. Such cuts in emissions will also reduce the amount of mercury and other heavy metals-by-products of coal-fired power plants-that enter our air, water, and food.

5. Saving Households and Businesses Money

A 2009 UCS study found that unleashing the full potential of policies designed to promote efficiency and renewable energy, along with a sharp limit on global warming emissions, would save U.S. households an average of $900 annually by 2030, while businesses would save a total of $126 billion annually. To garner those savings, the nation will need to make some up-front investments-in more efficient appliances, vehicles, heating and cooling systems, and production processes, for example. However, the resulting drops in energy bills from reductions in electricity and fuel use will more than offset the costs of these investments.

Independent analyses of the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), the energy and climate bill now being considered by Congress-such as by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Energy Information Administration (EIA)-show that the act's costs to the U.S. economy would be minimal. According to the EIA, for example, household energy costs would be less than $10 a month higher in 2020, or less than 33 cents a day, and the total discounted GDP losses from the 2012 to 2030 time period would amount to just 0.2 percent of GDP. And these studies exclude or underestimate important mechanisms for containing these costs, such as greater efficiency, and ignore the savings that would come from avoiding many of the costs of climate change itself.

6. Enhancing National and Global Security

Top military officials have warned for years that climate change could have serious ramifications for our nation's security and increase the stress on our armed forces. Drought, extreme weather events, changes in food production, and pandemics caused by climate change could drive resource conflicts and migrations in vulnerable parts of the world. These stresses have the potential to act as "threat multipliers," raising the number of failed states. The U.S. military may be called upon to respond to humanitarian disasters in these regions; moreover, state failure often exacerbates extremism and terrorist activities, further increasing the burden on overstretched U.S. troops.

Addressing global warming would also reduce the nation's reliance on oil, including the portion that comes from unstable regimes around the world. UCS estimates that investing in cleaner vehicles and a more efficient transportation system could cut our use of petroleum products by 6 million barrels a day- as much oil as we now import from PEC (the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).

Humanitarian agencies also warn that the world's poorest people are already bearing the brunt of climate change, and that poorer countries could lose 50 years of development gains if richer nations do nothing.

7. Providing Benefits to Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that ACES would lead to very modest costs for the agricultural sector in the short term, but potentially significant net benefits over the medium to long term from the growing market for agricultural "offsets." Instead of directly reducing their own emissions, industries subject to a cap on global warming emissions would pay farmers and ranchers to increase the amount of carbon stored in soils and vegetation, reduce methane emissions from animal waste, or reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use. These payments would equal about $1 billion per year from 2015 to 2020, and $15-$20 billion per year from 2040 to 2050.

Farmers can also make money by installing wind turbines, solar panels, and other clean energy technologies on their land and buildings. By leasing land for one utility-scale wind turbine, for instance, a farmer could earn $3,000 a year. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that, over the next two decades, U.S. farmers and rural landowners could earn $1.2 billion in new income through such steps.

By addressing global warming, we can also help farmers avoid the most severe consequences of climate change. Under an unchecked-emissions scenario, many farmers could face more frequent heavy rains and flooding in the spring, which delay planting; expanded ranges of agricultural pests; and rising temperatures, which stress plants and livestock and reduce yields. Each of these effects can significantly raise costs. And while agriculture in some parts of the country could benefit from warmer temperatures in the short run, eventually most areas would see costs. Some degree of adaptation may be possible-such as by changing crop types, planting dates, and irrigation and fertilizer practices; investing in livestock cooling systems; and taking advantage of crop insurance programs-but these adaptations, too, will likely come at considerable cost.

8. Delivering Benefits to Low-income Households

Using energy more efficiently and reducing global warming emissions would help all families-especially low-income families-lower their energy bills. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that ACES would help households with income in the lowest fifth of the U.S. income distribution save $40 each year by 2020. The bill would also provide monthly cash refunds and annual tax credits to low-income individuals. The burgeoning clean energy economy could also be an important source of jobs for disadvantaged workers in inner cities and Rust Belt towns.

Low-income communities will bear a disproportionate share of the impact of climate change and have fewer resources to cope. Poorer populations are more likely to lack health insurance, and in urban areas are disproportionately exposed to ground-level ozone and airborne allergens, increasing the incidence of asthma and other respiratory diseases. The poor in coastal and low-lying areas are also less likely to have insurance against losses from hurricanes and floods, and may be less able to relocate if necessary. In addition, one study found that nearly twice as many people of color as the general population lack access to air conditioning, which could lead to more heat-related illnesses and deaths. A warming climate would worsen these conditions, while lowering emissions can lessen their impact on low-income families.

9. Preserving Vital Ecosystems and Species

Addressing global warming could help lessen the harm to ecosystems that now provide us with multiple benefits. For example, rising seas threaten coastal barrier reefs, which protect communities from storm surges, and wetlands, which filter impurities from water. Drought and pests threaten forests, which provide lumber. Warming temperatures and growing acidification threaten oceans, lakes, and rivers, which sustain our fisheries. Because nature does not charge market prices for these services, we tend to greatly undervalue them.

Moreover, many animal and plant species that provide us with important medicines and other products-in addition to having intrinsic value-could face extinction. According to the Nobel prize-winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), if global temperatures rise more than 3˚-5˚F, up to 30 percent of plant and animal species could become extinct. Many projections suggest that the low end of that temperature range could be breached by mid-century. While we cannot avoid some of these harms, lowering our emissions quickly would give us a chance to diminish them.

10. Conserving Water Resources and Clean Water

The IPCC has concluded with high confidence that, by mid-century, precipitation changes owing to climate change will mean that less water will be available in already arid parts of the world, including the western United States. Climate change is contributing to snowpack losses and melting glaciers in the United States, leading to water shortages in the West. Addressing global warming could lessen the threat to these water resources.

Water shortages have wide-ranging consequences. For example, as sources of water used for irrigation dry up, the costs of producing food could rise. Lower water levels and higher temperatures in streams and rivers could diminish the capacity of hydropower and cause the collapse of some fisheries. And water prices could rise not only for farmers but also for industry and homeowners, especially in areas where growing populations are already putting stress on water resources, such as the southwest United States. Finally, because the concentration of pollutants increases when water levels drop, water shortfalls could also lower water quality.

An important note is that nuclear power and fossil fuel plants that produce electricity rely on vast quantities of water for cooling, while many climate-friendly renewable sources (excluding conventional biofuels) require far less water, leaving more for other purposes and making them better suited to a climate constrained world.

Conclusion

For all these reasons, making swift and deep cuts in our emissions is a smart choice for the United States. Recent polls show that most Americans strongly support congressional action to promote clean energy and tackle climate change. We need Congress to enact strong legislation without delay.

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Top 10 Benefits of Climate Action (2009)

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Climate change is one of the most urgent issues of our day. Several recent studies show that acting quickly and decisively to address this challenge and shift our economy to clean energy will bring significant benefits to the United States-while also helping us avoid some of the worst consequences of unchecked global warming.

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The Science Learning Hub article on climate action explains both the issue at hand and the ways to work towards bettering the environment and trying to reach the climate action goal. It explains how it is an issue worldwide and how nations have responded to it. It also gives specific ways for scientists to better the problem along with the public. One of the most emphasized ways is to inform the public about the scientific issues and how people can help act on it.
-Maddie Gourley

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The scientific consensus is that the Earth's climate is warming - largely through greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity. What we do about this is up to all of us.

Nature of science

Working for change - a global issue

Climate change is a global issue, so efforts to mitigate the problem need to be global too. Governments are working together to find solutions. One example of global collaboration is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Since 1992, the world's nations have met annually to work towards a legally binding agreement to commit to reducing greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol in 1998 was the first step. It was binding for first-world countries only. In 2015, 196 countries approved the Paris Agreement, a legally binding global climate agreement that aims to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Working for change - a national response

New Zealand's early ratification of the Paris Agreement signals its commitment to global action on climate change. The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) provides a way of charging businesses that emit greenhouse gases, giving them an incentive to reduce their emissions. About half of the country's greenhouse gases come from agriculture, especially methane from ruminants. One response is government funding for the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre to reduce methane 'burps' from ruminants. Another is to use soils and grow trees to store carbon.

Working for change - the scientists

When Dr Ros Rickaby was pondering future career choices at the end of her PhD, she was told, "The problem of climate change is such an important problem - and it's up to your generation to solve it." Ros, who had been considering a business career, recognised the importance of the issue and chose to work as a biochemist instead. Specifically, she is investigating the effects that increasing ocean acidification might have on biological systems.

Ros is one of nearly 40 scientists featured in the film Thin Ice - The Inside Story of Climate Science ( www.thiniceclimate.org). The scientists have expertise in a range of fields, including engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, meteorology and more. They and countless others have taken up the challenge to communicate their science in ways that make sense to non-scientists. The challenge now is to get sufficient numbers of people engaged in working for change.

Climate science is incredibly complex. This article looks at some of the organisations in New Zealand that are taking on the challenge of helping Aotearoa meet the challenges it presents.

Communicating socio-scientific issues

Garnering public support requires new ways of communicating with the public. For example, Antarctica New Zealand and the Deep South National Science Challenge are working on innovative ways to reach diverse audiences. TEDxScottBase in January 2017 featured business entrepreneurs, an astronaut and the musician Gin Wigmore, who all talked about humanity's relationship with the climate. Social media star Jamie Curry spent time in Antarctica, making videos to share with her 10 million-plus followers. Social action groups such as the youth-led Generation Zero, School Strike 4 Climate and Earth Guardians aim to get communities and political leaders involved. On an individual level, social change also encourages us to adopt more sustainable habits.

Working for change - the public

There are many small actions that individuals, schools and businesses can take that, together, can lead to larger change:

Use fuel-efficient cars - or better yet, leave the car at home. Walk, ride a bike or use public transport instead. Plan ahead to combine trips and errands. Burning fossil fuels like diesel and petrol releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as well as harmful particulates. In 2020, there was a significant decrease in emissions when much of the world sheltered in place during the initial outbreak of COVID-19. This showed us what is possible.

Be energy efficient. In New Zealand, we generate over 80% of our electricity via renewable sources (as opposed to fossil fuels), but it still helps to unplug devices when not in use and to purchase energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.

Think about what you eat. Add vegetarian meals to the menu. Globally, meat and dairy are responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gases.

Think about rubbish. Rubbish buried in landfills produces methane gas (a potent greenhouse gas). Composting food and garden wastes, repurposing items, reusable packaging and recycling keep things out of the landfill. Think before you buy.

Get informed and get involved. The useful links at the bottom of this page are a good place to start! Also, contact the Hub to let us know what you are doing!

Related content

Acknowledgement

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The scientific consensus is that the Earth's climate is warming - largely through greenhouse gas emissions due to human activity. What we do about this is up to all of us.

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NASA uses evidence to prove climate change is affecting us, and how it has become an issue. They describe the causes climate change has on our Earth and the human population, as well as more solutions to the problem.

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Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Home - Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet

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Vital Signs of the Planet: Global Climate Change and Global Warming. Current news and data streams about global warming and climate change from NASA.

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This article discusses the crucial steps that need to be taken in order to reach the goals set by climate action. They mention reducing carbon emissions,for countries to put energy towards adapting to the change in weather, and to keep an open mind and think about the possibility the geoengineering techniques aiming to keep warming in check can be controversial. It also goes deeper into steps and processes that scientists and researchers should engage in, in order to improve the climate.
-Maddie Gourley

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SAN FRANCISCO-Despite President-elect Donald Trump's distaste for the Paris climate agreement, countries around the world are already working to ensure that the global temperature rise stays below 2 degrees Celsius. This week at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference here, several prominent scientists discussed the critical steps researchers and decision makers need to take now. They said reducing carbon emissions is important, of course, but countries worldwide must also put more energy into adapting to changing weather that even moderate warming will bring, as well as consider the potential of controversial geoengineering techniques to keep warming in check.

One of the primary goals of the Paris accord is mitigation-cutting or preventing greenhouse gas emissions.To help countries meet their emissions pledges, the international community needs to analyze how it can achieve "deep decarbonization," according to Margaret Leinen, director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and president of the AGU. This means determining what emissions-reducing technologies and strategies will work best for a given country. As Leinen explained at a conference panel session, "We need to be able to evaluate these technologies quantitatively in order to understand which ones work, which ones are scalable and for what countries and energy economies they work for."

Another major detail that still needs to be sorted out: how to track nations' emissions, to make sure they're sticking to their reduction targets. "We need to start asking, 'Okay, how will you prove that you actually did what you pledged to do?'" Leinen told Scientific American after the panel. To do that, countries will have to have some kind of monitoring system, and the international community has yet to agree on the guidelines for how that system will work.

It is up to scientists and engineers to design effective monitoring systems, or strengthen existing ones. Researchers on the AGU panel said that such a system could end up being a combination of satellites; land-based technology such as towers equipped with greenhouse gas sensors; and possibly mobile technology such as drones that detect emissions. Such a system will be fundamental. "Transparency and monitoring was key to halting the nuclear arms race," Antonio Busalacchi, president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, told Scientific American. "Similarly, monitoring is going to be key for seeing how well countries are doing on their commitments."

Nations will also have to focus on adaptation, however-helping communities cope with the effects of climate change, such as flooding and drought. More research is needed because the scientific community has somewhat neglected the topic, Busalacchi said. "If you talk about adaptation in some sectors of the university environment, you get criticized because you're detracting from important mitigation research," he explained to Scientific American. "But change is coming, and we have to be prepared for it." The panel emphasized that scientists need a better fundamental understanding of adaptation. For instance, they "need to rigorously study the limits of adaptation," said climate scientist Carlos Nobre, one of Brazil's top climate scientists. Antonio Busalacchi thinks researchers should also develop a climate information service so that communities can make sound decisions on how to prepare for and adapt to climate change. The service might help urban areas plan for instance, how high they should build a seawall or how big their storm sewers should be.

Finally, the scientific community has to pay more serious attention to geoengineering, which is the man-mademanipulation of Earth's natural processes to control the climate. "It must be part of research going forward," Busalacchi said. Scientists should thoroughly assess geoengineering techniques and understand what their impact on the Earth's systems might be, including any unintended consequences. They also need to consider logistical challenges-how to actually make geoengineering techniques work, in case the world decides to use them. Then there are political and governance issues, such as how countries should respond if, say, a nation starts injecting sulfate aerosols into the atmosphere on its own to cool the planet. Despite people's general unease with geoengineering because of its potential for major unintended consequences, it is another tool countries may eventually need to use to combat climate change. "At this point, we need to keep all options open," Busalacchi said. "We need to have a solid and robust understanding of what geoengineering can and can't do, in case mitigation and adaptation fall short."

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SAN FRANCISCO-Despite President-elect Donald Trump's distaste for the Paris climate agreement, countries around the world are already working to ensure that the global temperature rise stays below 2 degrees Celsius. This week at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) conference here, several prominent scientists discussed the critical steps researchers and decision makers need to take now.

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Which Countries Are Positively Impacting Global Warming 

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Which Countries Are Positively Impacting Global Warming 

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The Guardian has compiled a list of 12 countries plus Europe and the actions they hope to take to make their country a healthier place by cutting C02 emissions. In each article there is a graph with the current rate of C02 emissions, and how the rate will change if the desired actions are taken by each country.

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cop 21: un climate change conference | paris

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Which countries are doing the most to stop dangerous global warming?

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In November, nearly 200 countries meet in Paris for UN talks to agree a new climate deal. Find out below how their pledges - known as Intended Nationally Determined Contributions or INDCs - compare

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The Climate Action Tracker (CAT) was started in 2009 by three research organizations. CAT tracks "global warming consequence and emissions gaps."

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This source shows different ways companies and technology have changed in order to create a healthier and longer lasting Earth. It also goes into how hopefully we will have primarily recyclable packaging and products throughout the shelves in stores.

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Read our Privacy Policy.

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This source explains how the general public can take action against climate change, such as using renewable energy to power your home, weatherize your house instead of AC and heat, reduce water waste, etc.

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Rising sea levels. Raging storms. Searing heat. Ferocious fires. Severe drought. Punishing floods. The effects of climate change are already threatening our health, our communities, our economy, our security, and our children's future.

What can you do? A whole lot, as it turns out. Americans, on average, produce 21 tons of carbon a year, about four times the global average. Personal action is, of course, no substitute for meaningful government policies. We still must limit carbon pollution and aggressively move away from dirty fossil fuels toward cleaner power.

But it's important to remember the equally vital contributions that can be made by private citizens-which is to say, by you. "Change only happens when individuals take action," says clean energy advocate Aliya Haq. "There's no other way, if it doesn't start with people."

Here are a dozen easy, effective ways each one of us can make a difference.

1. Speak up!

What's the single biggest way you can make an impact on global climate change? "Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions," Haq says. By voicing your concerns-via social media or, better yet, directly to your elected officials-you send a message that you care about the warming world. Encourage Congress to enact new laws that limit carbon emissions and require polluters to pay for the emissions they produce. "The main reason elected officials do anything difficult is because their constituents make them," Haq says. You can help protect public lands, stop offshore drilling, and more here.

2. Power your home with renewable energy.

Choose a utility company that generates at least half its power from wind or solar and has been certified by Green-e Energy, an organization that vets renewable energy options. If that isn't possible for you, take a look at your electric bill; many utilities now list other ways to support renewable sources on their monthly statements and websites.

3. Weatherize, weatherize, weatherize.

"Building heating and cooling are among the biggest uses of energy," Haq says. Indeed, heating and air-conditioning account for almost half of home energy use. You can make your space more energy efficient by sealing drafts and ensuring it's adequately insulated. You can also claim federal tax credits for many energy efficiency home improvements. To help you figure out where to start, you could also get a home energy audit, which some utilities offer free of charge. (Alternatively, you can hire a professional to come to your home and perform one; the Inflation Reduction Act offers a partial tax credit for this.) The EPA's Home Energy Yardstick gives you a simple assessment of your home's annual energy use compared with similar homes.

4. Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

Since they were first implemented nationally in 1987, efficiency standards for dozens of appliances and products have kept 2.3 billion tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. That's about the same amount as the annual carbon pollution coughed up by nearly 440 million cars. "Energy efficiency is the lowest-cost way to reduce emissions," Haq says. When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, heat pump water heaters, and other appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient. (There may also be rebates to earn from your purchase of Energy Star-certified products.)

And when you're ready to swap out your old machines, don't just put them on the curb: Recycling an old refrigerator through the EPA's Responsible Appliance Disposal Program can prevent an additional 10,000 pounds of carbon pollution because the global-warming pollutants in the refrigerants and foam would be properly captured rather than vented to the air.

5. Reduce water waste.

Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That's because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, and switch to WaterSense-labeled fixtures and appliances. The EPA estimates that if just one out of every 100 American homes were retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures, about 100 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year would be saved-avoiding 80,000 tons of global warming pollution.

6. Actually eat the food you buy-and compost what you can't.

Approximately 10 percent of U.S. energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food-about 40 percent of which winds up in the landfill. "If you're wasting less food, you're likely cutting down on energy consumption," Haq says. As for the scraps you can't eat or the leftovers you don't get to, collect them in a compost bin instead of sending them to the landfill where they release methane. Recycling food and other organic waste into compost provides a range of environmental benefits, including improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recycling nutrients, and mitigating the impact of droughts.

7. Buy better bulbs.

LED light bulbs use one-sixth the amount of energy to deliver the same amount of light as conventional incandescents and last at least 10 times longer. They're also cheaper in the long run: A 10-watt LED that replaces your traditional 60-watt bulb will save you $125 over the light bulb's life. And because the average American home has around 40 to 50 light bulbs, this is a simple swap that will reap huge rewards. If every household in the United States replaced just one incandescent with an Energy Star-labeled LED, we would prevent seven billion pounds of carbon pollution per year. That's equivalent to the emissions of about 648,000 cars.

8. Pull the plug(s).

Taken together, the outlets in your home are likely powering about 65 devices-an average load for a home in the United States. Audio and video devices, cordless vacuums and power tools, and other electronics use energy even when they're not charging. This "idle load" across all U.S. households adds up to the output of 50 large power plants in the country. So don't leave fully charged devices plugged into your home's outlets, unplug rarely used devices or plug them into power strips and timers, and adjust your computers and monitors to automatically power down to the lowest power mode when not in use.

9. Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. And once all cars and light trucks meet 2025's clean car standards, which means averaging 54.5 miles per gallon, they'll be a mainstay. For good reason: Relative to a national fleet of vehicles that averaged only 28.3 miles per gallon in 2011, Americans will spend $80 billion less at the pump each year and cut their automotive emissions by half. Before you buy a new set of wheels, compare fuel-economy performance here.

10. Maintain your ride.

If all Americans kept their tires properly inflated, we could save 1.2 billion gallons of gas each year. A simple tune-up can boost miles per gallon anywhere from 4 percent to 40 percent, and a new air filter can get you a 10 percent boost. Also, remove unnecessary accessories from your car roof. Roof racks and clamshell storage containers can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 5 percent.

11. Rethink planes, trains, and automobiles.

Choosing to live in walkable smart-growth cities and towns with quality public transportation leads to less driving, less money spent on fuel, and less pollution in the air. Less frequent flying can make a big difference, too. "Air transport is a major source of climate pollution," Haq says. "If you can take a train instead, do that." If you must fly, consider purchasing carbon offsets to counterbalance the hefty carbon pollution associated with flying. But not all carbon offset companies are alike. Do your homework to find the best supplier.

12. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

In the United States, the average person generates 4.5 pounds of trash every day. Fortunately, not all the items we discard end up in landfills; we recycle or compost more than one-third of our trash. In 2014 this saved carbon emissions equivalent to the yearly output of 38 million passenger cars. But we could be doing so much more. "Reduce should always be the number-one priority," says NRDC senior resource specialist Darby Hoover. And to reap the environmental benefits of "recyclable" goods, you must recycle according to the rules of your municipality, since systems vary widely by location. Search your municipality's sanitation department (or equivalent) webpage to learn exactly what you can place in the recycling bin, as counties and cities often differ in what they accept.
This story was originally published on April 20, 2022 and has been updated with new information and links.

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There are many ways to prevent global warming from becoming worse. Many nations have put laws into place to fight climate change -- here's what you can do.

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Goal 13 is the goal to take action against climate change. The source has a whole section dedicated to actions that can be taken to help solve global change, as well as news and other resources regarding the topic.

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Goal 13: Climate action - The Global Goals

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Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.