Climate Action Now

Last year I did some classroom presentations for 2nd and 4th graders, and it was stunning to see how the kids ‘get it”, way more than their parents seem to.

In fact, I did no “teaching” or “lecturing” at all; I just asked questions.  They knew all the answers, except for the highly technical stuff (how greenhouse gases get trapped in the atmosphere, what exactly is a hybrid car).  I would simply ask:  What is causing warming?  Do you know how it works? What can we do to make a difference? They were full of answers, and of course, concerns.  But in my talks with kids, I don’t play up the possibilities for catastrophe, but the belief that our own ingenuity is able to take on these changes and in the process, make the world even better than it already is.

Other parents get that worried look when they talk about how to answer their kids questions (maybe this is even harder than having “the talk” about birds and bees?) My suggestion to other parents who ask how to approach this subject is this:

Show, don’t tell.  Show your kids how much you are already making constructive changes in your family’s everyday way of living.  Show them how they can make a different (by keeping lights off when not in use for example).  Nothing breeds fear in kids like knowing that something needs to be done (they do) and seeing that the people they love and trust the most are not doing anything.

Get started today, there are plenty of ideas on this site for basic changes you can make. Sign up for our newsletter to get 5 email ideas each week - easy and simple to make changes.  Get involved in your community - city after city and town after town are all getting on board and need their residents to step up to the plate.  Find out what’s happening in your town through ICLEI, Local Governments For Sustainability, or visit the Cool Cities Campaign (with 1003 participating cities as of this writing!) to find contact people near you. Or just call your mayor’s office.  If no one’s involved, why not you?

Let’s show our kids that we can make a difference and take care of their future.

We’re all thinking about what we “should” do to help the environment, especially anything related to CO2 emissions.  But frustration can set in when there is information overload, too much to do.

Starting small is best. If you’ve already changed your lightbulbs to CFLs, perhaps starting to change your driving habits in small ways can be a next step.  With gas prices over $4 a gallon, you can take steps that are also kind to your wallet.

Try this: Drive 60-65 on the highway, and speed limit everywhere else.  Cars run most efficiently at 60 mph, and you can save a whopping 20-30% on fuel by sticking to that speed.  Keep your tires properly inflated - pick up a tire pressure guage on  your next shopping trip, they cost $1 or so.  This can save $$ in fuel costs also.  Same for getting your car properly tuned up - efficiency is the key.

As for miles traveled, try to reduce, even just a small bit, just skip one or two trips a week. Dust off that bike!  Get your sneakers on for short walks and trips around town.  Skip a trip you don’t really  need to make, or combine trips instead of making three or four each weekend.

Getting started with a few simple steps will get you thinking about other ways to cut back.  Just the few things above could cut your fuel use by 20% or even better, an awesome start!

What else are you doing that’s easy and simple? Post a comment with your ideas here any time.

I’m posting here just ideas, news and info you can actually use daily or weely to make a difference. Compared to other sites, we’re trying to build a useful tool - not just a place to sign a petition, or view a list of things you should be doing (but probably aren’t).   Along with the blog, sign up for the newsletter on the right; you’ll get 3-5 specific things you can do each week.  Slowly but surely, you’ll start to add changes to your lifestyle that make a huge difference.

Most of all, though, thanks for caring enough to take the step of stopping by.  It’s an important step.