How to Fight the Paris Climate Agreement

If you are feeling flustered by the fact that America is leaving the Paris Climate Agreement, you are in good company.  While overseas it was endearing to see so many cities embracing solar farms, educating communities about how to reduce their waste, and incentivizing businesses to go green.  The hope for a brighter future - one with less asthma, less dying species, days where China's air is not rated for whether it is safe to breathe- seemed possible.  So it has been extremely challenging for me to return to the country I love, a so called leader in the world, to see our politicians turning their backs on the health of our people & the well being of our planet.

So I freaked out.

Then I decided that action was better than complaining on facebook or whining about it with loved ones.
Pretty quickly I realized that there is a lot that one person can do.

Deep Pockets?

• Every year I donate to just causes.  I urge you to investigate ones that support our planets well being. For me that is the World Wildlife Foundation but the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund and a plethora of other fantastic organizations are doing a great job of aiding our earth's future.
• If you love to shop online be sure to use www.smile.amazon.com instead of just using amazon.  By using SMILE you can select a foundation that will be supporting through your purchase.
• Invest in the growing Solar, Green, and Clean space sectors.  Solar jobs are the fastest growing job creating sector meanwhile there are huge investments being put into battery/storage research and development.  Support a start up or research facility that is aiding in these fields! (lack of deep pockets? Look for employment in these blossoming fields!!!)

Spare Time?
Consider volunteering for a local chapter to aid with environmental impacts.  Whats great about this is that you can commit as little or much time as you have and can make your involvement as hands on as you want.

• Find a local Park Clean Up Day, a river clean up day, or help with a local garden project
• Register to Be a Water Quality Tester
• Volunteer to aid with a Campaign
• Bike instead of driving everywhere...or car share!
  

​ For me, this has meant aiding with the Sierra Club as we roll out a campaign to push Philadelphia to commit to a 100% clean energy future.   

No spare time?

• Sign petitions to aid with causes that matter to you.  
• Check out my "Philly for a Clean Future" petition
• Listen to podcasts while traveling to educate yourself about things to do on the daily to make a difference.

Clean Your Space
They say home is where your heart it.  So if your heart is hoping for a happier environment start showcasing it in your home.

• Conserve energy by turning out lights, reducing your water usage (check out this blog I wrote for another site!!!),  unplugging unused electronics, and investing in energy efficient appliances.
• Plant!!! Clean the air inside and outside of your house.
• Install solar panels or if that's too expensive investigate if there are solar sharing/co-op programs in your neighborhood.
• Keeping your house clean & not using chemical cleaners removes allergens and pollutants aiding with indoor air quality.

Have kids?

• Make recycling, gardening, volunteering, picking up liter, and caring about the planet a family affair.  By teaching these practices to our next generation we are protecting the earth for years to come.

Though the US may be pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, there is a huge swell of support coming from cities and states across the country vying to fight climate change.  This flourish of support at a grassroots level can be even more demonstrable if every citizen does their part.  You may feel like you do not have time, or money, or skills to aid with a cleaner tomorrow- but you can make a difference.  By doing a little bit, every day, you can ensure that our skies are brighter, our waters are cleaner, our shorelines swell less, and our planet lasts longer.

You can make the world a better place.
We must.