The most important thing you can do to fight climate change:
Talk about it with Family, Friends, Neighbors and Communities.
~Katherine Hayhoe
Does what you do matter? Every little bit helps!
Sustainability In Ames IA
https://www.cityofames.org/living/sustainability-in-ames
INITIAL_STEPS_TO_IMPLEMENT_THE_CITY_S_CLIMATE_ACTION_PLAN_1.09.24_FINAL.pdf
Corporate Leadership toward a Zero-Carbon Footprint
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Footprint/index.html
TED Talk: Apple's promise to become carbon neutral by 2030 (5+ min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixBgCWLVvE8
Under the leadership of Lisa Jackson, Apple's environment
and social VP and former head of the EPA, the company is
already carbon neutral within their own corporate and retail
boundaries. By 2030, Apple hopes to extend carbon neutrality
to their supply chain and consumers. In conversation with
urbanist and spatial justice activist Liz Ogbu, Jackson
shares thoughts on leadership, tech, the environment and
building a green economy.
EPA - Overview of Greenhouse Gases
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/overview-greenhouse-gases
EPA - Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (by Sector)
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
EPA - Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data (by Gas)
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data
EPA - Household Carbon Footprint Calculator
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/household-carbon-footprint-calculator
Electricity & Energy (Power Generation)
The quantity of greenhouse gas emissions from your home
electricity use depends, in part, on the types of fuel your
power plant uses to generate the electricity and the amount
you use.
o Reduce your need for electricity
o Use LED lighting (inside and outside)
o Minimize the use of outside lights (and inside lights)
o Embrace natural light
During the day, think of the sun as your primary light
source, and rearrange your home or workplace to take
advantage of its rays. Open the shades or blinds and let
the light pour in instead of automatically flipping on the
overhead switch.
o Turn off unnecessary lights, ceiling fans
o Invest in solar chargers for your electronic devices
o Invest in heat pumps (reverse AC) on HVAC systems
o Invest in geothermal energy
o Invest in Residential Solar Panels
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Solar/index.html
o Invest in municipal Solar Farm(s)
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Solar/index.html
o Advocate for renewable energy sources (Wind and Solar)
o Educate yourself - Stay informed
o Regularly contact/communicate with governmental officials
o Be a leader promoting sustainability and resilience
Natural Gas & Energy
The quantity of greenhouse gases emitted from your furnace
and boiler depends on the efficiency of these items, the
size and insulation of your house, and the amount and type
of fuel used.
o Reduce your need for natural gas
o Wear warm clothing, reducing the need for heat
o Downsize where you live (smaller home)
o Plan meals to reduce cooking
o Reduce your water heating expenses by insulating water
heater and hot water pipes
o Invest in High Efficiency Tankless Water Heater(s)
o Invest in energy efficient windows
o Invest in insulation (make sure your home can breathe)
o Invest in more efficient heating and cooling
o Invest in heat pumps (reverse AC) on HVAC systems
o Invest in geothermal energy
o Install a programmable or smart thermostat
o Invest in Solar Panels
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Solar/index.html
o Plant shade trees and wind breaks
o Educate yourself - Stay informed
o Regularly contact/communicate with governmental officials
o Be a leader promoting sustainability and resilience
Transportation
The quantity of emissions from your car or truck depends on
how much you drive, what your vehicle's fuel efficiency is,
and how you drive.
o Reduce unnecessary trips
o Car pooling(reverse AC) on HVAC systems
o Use public Transportation
o Reduce Commercial Flying
o Don't buy another ICE vehicle
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Transportation/index.html
o Maintain vehicles (including tire pressure)
o Switch to hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs)
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Transportation/index.html
o Invest in Residential Solar Panels to charge EVs
http://edu-observatory.org/olli/Solar/index.html
o Educate yourself - Stay informed
o Regularly contact/communicate with governmental officials
o Be a leader promoting sustainability and resilience
Waste
In addition, the more recycling you do will reduce the
amount of waste sent to landfills, as well as the greenhouse
gas emissions that result from processing of raw materials.
o Buy locally produced food
Buying as much as you can from local farmers makes a huge
difference. Eating more whole grains, vegetables, fruits
and nuts, and less red meats and processed foods does too.
Grow your own fruits and vegetables. You can grow a
garden!
o Embrace the Mediterranean Diet (Way of Life)
o Climate Change Cuisine: It's What's for Dinner
http://www.climatecentral.org/news/climate-change-cuisine-its-whats-for-dinner-17020
o Take advantage of Farmers' Markets and CSAs
o Really try not to waste food (prepare less)
o Share food and materials with your neighbors
o Eat less meat
o Compost local food waste
o Purchase items with less packaging
o Quit using plastic bags, bottles, cups, and straws
o Use your own cloth/fiber shopping bags
o Purchase for utility, function, and not fashion
o Downsize and Recycle as much as possible
o Educate yourself - Stay informed
o Regularly contact/communicate with governmental officials
o Be a leader promoting sustainability and resilience
Here's What You Can Do (Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter)
On the state and local levels, demand action from our
elected officials, through phone calls, emails, letters to
the editor, and public meetings, to enact legislation and
policies that encourage the rapid transition from
carbon-based fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy:
o Create tax incentives for renewable energy projects and
energy efficiency
o Enact policies that require utilities to purchase all
excess electricity generated from privately owned
renewable energy systems
o Invest in energy efficiency programs to help consumers
reduce their energy
o Reject new fossil fuel energy projects including coal
plants and pipelines
o Divest all state-controlled pension and other investment
funds from fossil fuels, capitalizing instead on the
renewable energy boom
o Replace state-owned gasoline vehicles with clean,
cost-saving electric fleets
On the federal level, demand that our leaders pass
legislation that incentivizes all levels of society to
quickly make the transition from carbon-based fossil fuels
to clean, renewable energy alternatives:
o End permits for new fossil fuel infrastructure
o Eliminate all subsidies that prop up the dying fossil fuel
industry
o Create tax policies to speed American innovation in
renewable energy technologies
o Create job training programs to help fossil fuel workers
transition to renewable energy manufacturing,
installation, and operations
o Incentivize electric vehicles both in the public and
private sector
o Recognize America's moral responsibility to lead the world
in combating climate change by recommitting to the Paris
Climate Accord
o Work with international partners to protect the world's
forests, which play a vital critical role in sequestering
carbon
Make combating climate change a priority in our daily lives:
o Talk to friends about climate change
o Power your home with renewable energy by installing solar
panels or by purchasing your energy through renewable
programs offered by your utility company, or Arcadia Power
o Weatherize your home to conserve energy
o Invest in energy-efficient appliances
o Reduce water waste; water treatment takes a lot of energy
o Lease or buy an electric, hybrid or high fuel economy car;
drive less; fly less
o Buy locally grown food, organic food; reduce food waste;
and eat less meat
o Don't buy products from companies that profit from
deforestation, including those whose products contain palm
oil
Needed Paradigm Shifts
Vertical Farming: Growing fast! (12+ min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCoC5o6x_Sw
Massive cost reductions in renewable technology combined
with some serious advances in technological efficiencies
have brought vertical farming closer to the mainstream and
now the big money is wading in to invest in these facilities
in every major city around the world.
Clayton Farms (Central Iowa)
https://www.claytonfarms.com
https://www.kcrg.com/2022/08/27/ames-indoor-farm-sees-rapid-expansion/
https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/2022/08/22/amess-indoor-clayton-farms-new-name-expand-twin-cities/10205888002/
The Solution to Climate Change Right Under Our Feet
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/24/solution-climate-change-right-under-our-feet
Take these eight steps to make soils more resilient
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07587-4
A Soil-Science Revolution Upends Plans to Fight Climate Change
https://www.quantamagazine.org/a-soil-science-revolution-upends-plans-to-fight-climate-change-20210727/
A Sustainable, Poverty-Free Future Is Possible For All Humanity, Study Reveals
https://www.sciencealert.com/we-don-t-have-to-return-to-the-dark-ages-to-live-in-a-sustainable-future
INITIAL_STEPS_TO_IMPLEMENT_THE_CITY_S_CLIMATE_ACTION_PLAN_1.09.24_FINAL.pdf
sam.wormley@gmail.com