Taking Local Action on Climate Change

What is climate change? What is global warming? What are the impacts?

Climate change refers to global changes in temperature, wind patterns, and precipitation brought about by a gradual warming of the Earth's atmosphere (commonly referred to as global warming). The Earth's temperature is naturally regulated by a layer of "greenhouse gases" that keep in just the right amount of the sun's energy to support life. In recent centuries, human practices have led to a buildup of greenhouse gasses, trapping excess heat and throwing the natural system off balance. The result is climate change — melting glaciers, rising sea levels, changes in ocean temperatures, changed weather patterns, changes in habitats, major species extinctions, increases in hurricanes and other extreme weather — all with devastating impacts on ecosystems and people throughout the world.

Affluent nations generate the bulk of greenhouse gasses due to high rates of consumption, which has its affects on environments across the globe. People in poorer nations and communities are being hit with new problems as a result of climate change, and unlike in affluent countries, money isn't available to remedy the situation. For example, impacts on agricultural land, expanding deserts, and crop failure results in even greater hunger; increases in insect-borne diseases puts added stress on already strapped medical systems; and rising sea-levels have caused some island and coastal communities to be relocated entirely. In the US, we've also witnessed extreme weather — in New Orleans and the deadly heatwaves in Chicago — and the suffering it has caused poor communities.

What human activities contribute to climate change?

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the primary contributing factor to climate change and accounts for 84% of greenhouse gas emissions in California.¹ CO2 is emitted anytime fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas are burned. Fossil Fuels are used to generate electricity and heat, and provide the primary source of energy for the largest energy uses — industrial manufacture, heating and cooling of buildings, and transportation.

On the other side of the equation, plants and forests use photosynthesis to capture CO2, naturally removing it and sequestering it from the atmosphere. Mass deforestation is the second largest contributing factor to climate change because it has removed this natural storage mechanism and is allowing more CO2 to circulate.

A more potent greenhouse gas, Methane is emitted from landfills, livestock production, and large agriculture, and accounts for about 8% of California's greenhouse gas emissions.² Methane's ability to trap in heat is 20 times greater than CO2 however, making it a significant contributor to climate change.³ Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), products of combustion, account for 6%; and Hydrofluorocarbons and other refrigerants account for the remaining 2%.⁴

What can I do?

We often think about the impact of driving cars when we think of climate change. Less visible factors sometimes go overlooked, such as the electricity used to manufacture consumer goods and packaging, and the transportation to bring food and products to stores. Of all the greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, 36% are emitted from industrial sources and product manufacture, 28% from commercial and passenger transportation, 18% from commercial business, and 18% from residential sources.⁵ Significant greenhouse gas reduction requires a reassessment of many of our everyday activities. Following are important actions that all of us can take.

Don't be discouraged. Start where you are. Our systems don't always make it easy for us to do the right thing. We can change our systems, and each of us can start by taking little or big steps as appropriate for our circumstances.
Be a critical consumer. Cut down on CO2 by selecting locally produced whole foods, thereby reducing energy for processing, transport, and refrigeration. Purchase products that are manufactured without large energy inputs. For example, buy recycled — it requires much less energy to make a product using recycled materials than using new, raw materials. Picking used goods keeps materials from going to the landfill and eliminates energy for new manufacture. Avoid products with excess packaging, which is wasted energy. Livestock is a major source of methane and requires lots of energy to produce — consider your meat intake. Buy less stuff.
Limit your household and workplace heating and electricity costs. Save money with fluorescent light bulbs, and replace energy-guzzling appliances, particularly your refrigerator if it is not energy efficient. Insulate and weatherproof. Find lots of simple ways to cut down on energy use by reading our Saving Energy Checklist.
Create a Zero Waste Zone at your home and workplace. Reusing goods, picking items that are designed well and not for disposal, recycling all that you can — these measures reduce energy and also reduce landfill methane emissions. See our Zero Waste fact sheet for more ideas.
Limit gasoline auto travel. If you can, choose to live close to work. Use public transit, carpool, bike. Limit car trips by consolidating errands. Consider driving only certain days per week. Pick a biofuel or hybrid auto, or very high mpg car. Go car-free altogether.
Advocate for well-designed cities that place public transit hubs next to workplaces and residential areas. Regional adoption of smarter growth strategies cuts down on suburban sprawl and car culture.
Advocate for renewable energy. According to PG&E, solar energy currently provides 0% of their electricity mix and wind, just 2%. Pressure governments and utilities to offer incentives to develop renewable energy projects and energy-efficiency measures.
Local business owners: become a certified green business. Contact us to find out how.
Organize a community group. Spread the good word about solutions. Tell policymakers about your concerns. Recently, citizens of Berkeley passed Measure G which calls for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and for a ten year action plan to achieve it. Cities and neighborhoods can take the initiative on the local level and create change, even when the federal government won't.
Consider contributing to a "carbon offset" program, as a secondary measure, in tandem with the steps outlined above. Check the Ecology Center's EcoDirectory for providers.

Further Resources

The Ecology Center's EcoDirectory provides local listings for ecological living and greenhouse gas reduction strategies. The Ecology Center can assist your ecological lifestyle through our diverse programs and projects. Visit us and check out the many free resources available to you!
KyotoUSA.org — information and guidance on starting climate action plans in neighborhoods and cities.
Union of Concerned Scientists — in-depth information and advocacy on climate change and remedies
Powerscorecard.org provides a good understanding of energy and electricity generation, analyzing various energy sources -- from conventional to renewable — and measuring their impact.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (ipcc.ch) technical papers and research. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, provides statistics, in-depth information, and articles on climate change.
Global Climate Change Report: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Strategies For California