What Can I Do?
80+ ActionsPractical steps you can take today to fight climate change
At Home
Reduce your household's carbon footprint with these energy and resource-saving actions
Switch to renewable energy
Choose a green energy supplier or install solar panels. This can eliminate up to 1.5 tons of CO2 per year.
High ImpactUpgrade insulation
Proper insulation can reduce heating/cooling energy by 40%. Start with attic and wall insulation.
High ImpactInstall a smart thermostat
Automatically adjust temperature when you're away or sleeping. Saves 10-15% on heating and cooling.
Switch to a heat pump
Heat pumps are 3-4x more efficient than gas furnaces. They heat AND cool your home.
High ImpactUse LED lighting
LEDs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last 25 times longer.
Wash clothes in cold water
90% of washing machine energy goes to heating water. Cold water cleans just as well.
Air dry your laundry
Skip the dryer when possible. It's one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home.
Unplug idle electronics
"Vampire power" from idle devices costs the average home $100/year. Use power strips.
Lower water heater temperature
Set it to 120F (49C) instead of 140F. Saves energy and prevents scalding.
Fix leaks and drips
A dripping faucet can waste 3,000 gallons per year. Check toilets, faucets, and pipes.
Transportation
Transport accounts for about 16% of global emissions - here's how to travel cleaner
Go car-free or car-light
Living without a car saves 2.6 tons of CO2 per year. Use transit, bike, or walk instead.
High ImpactSwitch to an electric vehicle
EVs produce 50-70% less emissions than gas cars, even accounting for electricity generation.
High ImpactTake fewer flights
One transatlantic flight = 1-3 tons of CO2. Take trains for short trips, vacation locally.
High ImpactBike for short trips
40% of car trips are under 2 miles. A bike covers that in 10 minutes with zero emissions.
Use public transit
Buses and trains produce 45% less CO2 per passenger mile than single-occupancy vehicles.
Carpool or rideshare
Sharing rides cuts per-person emissions in half or more. Use apps to find commute partners.
Work from home
If possible, remote work eliminates commute emissions entirely. Even 1-2 days helps.
Maintain your vehicle
Proper tire pressure and regular maintenance improve fuel efficiency by 3-4%.
Drive efficiently
Avoid rapid acceleration, drive at moderate speeds, and combine errands into one trip.
Offset unavoidable flights
When you must fly, purchase verified carbon offsets from reputable providers.
Food & Diet
What you eat has a bigger climate impact than you might think
Eat less meat, especially beef
Beef produces 20x more emissions than beans per gram of protein. Even reducing helps.
High ImpactTry plant-based meals
A vegan diet reduces food emissions by up to 73%. Start with Meatless Mondays.
High ImpactReduce food waste
30-40% of food is wasted. Plan meals, use leftovers, and compost scraps.
High ImpactChoose local and seasonal
Local produce has lower transport emissions. Seasonal foods don't need energy-intensive greenhouses.
Reduce dairy consumption
Dairy has high emissions due to methane from cows. Try oat, soy, or almond alternatives.
Grow some of your own food
Even a small herb garden or tomato plants reduce food miles and packaging.
Compost food scraps
Composting prevents methane from landfills and creates nutrient-rich soil.
Buy imperfect produce
Ugly fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious. Buying them reduces farm waste.
Choose sustainable seafood
Look for MSC or ASC certified seafood. Avoid overfished species.
Bring your own containers
Use reusable bags, containers, and bottles to reduce single-use packaging.
Shopping & Consumption
Every purchase is a vote - choose products that align with your values
Buy less stuff
The most sustainable product is the one you don't buy. Ask: do I really need this?
High ImpactChoose quality over quantity
Well-made items last longer. Pay more upfront, save money and resources long-term.
Buy secondhand
Thrift stores, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace give items a second life.
Repair instead of replace
Learn basic repairs or find local repair cafes. Many items can be fixed easily.
Avoid fast fashion
The fashion industry produces 10% of global emissions. Choose sustainable brands.
Rent or borrow rarely-used items
Tools, party supplies, camping gear - borrow or rent instead of buying.
Choose minimal packaging
Buy in bulk, avoid over-packaged products, and choose recyclable materials.
Support sustainable brands
Research brands' environmental commitments. B Corp certification is a good indicator.
Recycle properly
Learn your local recycling rules. Contaminated recycling often ends up in landfills.
Donate or sell unwanted items
Give your items a second life instead of throwing them away.
Money & Investments
Your money has power - use it to accelerate the clean energy transition
Divest from fossil fuels
Move your investments away from oil, gas, and coal companies. Many funds offer fossil-free options.
High ImpactSwitch to a green bank
Traditional banks fund fossil fuel projects. Green banks invest in sustainable initiatives.
High ImpactInvest in ESG funds
Environmental, Social, and Governance funds screen for sustainable companies.
Check your pension fund
Many pension funds invest in fossil fuels. Ask for green options or switch providers.
Support green businesses
Spend your money at local businesses with strong environmental practices.
Use a green credit card
Some cards donate to environmental causes or offset your spending's carbon footprint.
Donate to climate organizations
Support effective climate nonprofits working on policy, technology, and conservation.
Invest in clean energy
Buy stocks or funds focused on solar, wind, and other renewable energy companies.
Support community solar
Can't install solar panels? Invest in community solar projects and get credits on your bill.
Request shareholder action
If you own stocks, vote on climate resolutions and push companies to decarbonize.
Your Voice
Individual actions are important, but systemic change requires collective action
Vote for climate champions
Research candidates' climate positions. Vote in every election - local, state, and national.
High ImpactContact your representatives
Call, email, or write to elected officials about climate policies. They track constituent contacts.
High ImpactTalk about climate change
Conversations shift social norms. Talk to friends, family, and colleagues about climate.
High ImpactSign petitions
Add your name to campaigns for climate policies. Numbers matter to decision-makers.
Attend town halls and hearings
Show up and speak at public meetings about climate and energy decisions.
Write letters to editors
Letters to local newspapers influence public opinion and reach decision-makers.
Join peaceful protests
Mass demonstrations show public demand for action. Join climate marches and rallies.
Use social media for good
Share accurate climate information. Counter misinformation respectfully.
Support climate journalism
Subscribe to outlets covering climate. Good journalism holds power accountable.
Pressure corporations
Tweet at brands, write reviews, and demand companies reduce their emissions.
Community Action
Connect with others to multiply your impact and create local change
Join a climate group
Find local chapters of 350.org, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Sunrise Movement, or similar.
High ImpactStart a neighborhood initiative
Organize community solar, tool libraries, or neighborhood composting programs.
Volunteer for tree planting
Trees absorb CO2 and cool cities. Join local reforestation and urban greening projects.
Participate in citizen science
Help researchers collect climate data through apps and community projects.
Support community gardens
Community gardens provide local food, green space, and bring neighbors together.
Organize skill-sharing events
Host workshops on bike repair, home weatherization, or low-waste cooking.
Advocate for bike infrastructure
Push your city for protected bike lanes, bike parking, and bike-share programs.
Support local farmers
Shop at farmers markets and join CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs.
Mentor young climate activists
Share your knowledge and experience with the next generation of leaders.
Create or join a buying co-op
Pool resources with neighbors to buy solar panels, EVs, or sustainable goods in bulk.
At Work
Bring sustainability into your workplace and professional life
Push for corporate climate commitments
Advocate for your company to set science-based emissions targets and net-zero goals.
High ImpactStart a green team
Form an employee group to drive sustainability initiatives at your workplace.
High ImpactReduce business travel
Use video calls instead of flying. When travel is necessary, choose trains over planes.
Make your office greener
Advocate for recycling, composting, energy efficiency, and sustainable supplies.
Request remote work options
Push for flexible work policies that reduce commuting emissions.
Green your commute benefits
Ask HR for transit subsidies, bike storage, EV charging, or bike-to-work incentives.
Choose sustainable vendors
When making purchasing decisions, consider suppliers' environmental practices.
Consider a climate career
Use your skills in clean energy, sustainable finance, climate policy, or green tech.
Integrate climate into your role
Whatever your job, find ways to incorporate sustainability into your daily work.
Share knowledge with colleagues
Present on climate topics, share articles, and normalize sustainability conversations.
Start Today
You don't have to do everything - pick a few actions that fit your life and start there. Every action creates ripples.