Climate change has become one of the most heated political debates around the world, as scientists warn us about the potentially disastrous impacts of global warming and politicians discuss how to prepare for these changes. Unfortunately, because this is such a hotly debated topic, it’s difficult to find any common ground on what we can do to solve the problem or even slow it down. However, there are some climate change solutions that have been suggested by both Democrats and Republicans alike that should be something everyone can agree on. Here are three climate change solutions that everyone can get behind
Solar Energy
Today, homeowners and businesses are increasingly turning to solar power to help them save money and contribute less to climate change. In fact, a recent report released by Environment America found that installing solar panels on just 3% of American rooftops could power more than 5 million homes. Here’s how it works: As sunlight hits your roof or other surface, it is converted into energy through photovoltaic (PV) cells—similar to those in your cell phone—which can then be used immediately or stored for later use. This technology has been around since 1876, but it wasn’t until recently that solar panel costs dropped enough to make them economically viable for residential customers. Today, there are several different types of PV systems available to homeowners; each has its own benefits and drawbacks based on cost, efficiency and ease-of-installation. Before you choose which one is right for you, make sure you know what questions to ask about each type as well as about financing options so you can make an informed decision.
The best way to learn about solar power is by talking with someone who has experience using it. The Energy Saver website offers useful resources for comparing various installation types, including videos and information on rebates and tax credits offered by state governments as incentives for going green. If you decide to install solar panels at home, be sure to check out all of your financing options first before making any purchases. A home equity line of credit may allow you access to funds while offering competitive interest rates. And don’t forget to weigh the pros and cons of leasing versus buying. You might find that leasing is a better option if you don’t have cash up front or if you want to test out whether solar power will work for your household without committing long term. In addition to installing solar panels, another simple way consumers can reduce their carbon footprint is by reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.
Wind Power
One of our favorite climate change solutions, wind power is an effective way to generate electricity, and it doesn’t require burning fossil fuels. Wind-generated electricity provides up to 25 percent of total U.S. electricity generation in some states, including Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and California. Plus, there are thousands of good jobs in manufacturing, installation and operation of wind turbines. The cost of producing wind energy has fallen by more than 50 percent since 2009 and now costs about 2 cents per kilowatt hour. This compares favorably with a range of 6 to 12 cents per kilowatt hour for coal, natural gas and nuclear energy (excluding capital costs). It’s also important to note that when you purchase electricity from your utility company, you pay only for delivery—the cost of generating that electricity can vary widely across different sources. You should ask your utility company what percentage of its electricity comes from renewable resources, such as wind or solar power. Most utilities will be happy to share their numbers with you, especially if they know it will lead to greater demand for clean energy! In short, wind power is not just environmentally friendly; it also makes economic sense. If your state allows citizen initiatives on energy policy, we encourage you to consider supporting one promoting more renewable resources like wind power.
For example, here in Massachusetts we have a ballot initiative called Question 3 on November 4th’s election ballot which asks voters whether or not they want to ensure that Massachusetts obtains at least 1/2 of all its electricity from clean, locally produced renewable energy and creates new jobs and protects ratepayers. Please vote yes on Question 3! Also, check out Ten Things You Should Know About Clean Energy Ballot Initiatives for more information. There are lots of ways to get involved with renewable energy: learn how to install a home solar system, start your own small business in renewables or find an organization near you working on environmental issues.
Replacing Plastic with Reusable Bags
For better or worse, plastic is an integral part of our daily lives. Some plastics are designed to last forever (and some will), and many landfills are now choked with discarded plastic. Fortunately, it’s easy to kick your plastic habit by swapping out single-use bags for reusable ones. Bring a few durable bags with you whenever you go shopping—you may even want to get in the habit of bringing a few every time you go out so that they become second nature. And remember: if you forget them at home, most grocery stores offer free paper bags. You can also buy washable cloth bags and store them between uses. It only takes a little bit of planning to keep your household plastic-free!
In one study, replacing all disposable bags with reusable options resulted in an estimated annual savings of over 4 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions—or about $4 billion worth annually worldwide. Over 90 percent of consumers say they would be willing to pay extra for products wrapped up in less wasteful packaging , which suggests that sustainable packaging isn’t just good for your health and quality of life; it can also lead to good business practices . In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of plastic ends up polluting our oceans and landfills. This is a serious problem because plastic never truly degrades (it only breaks down into smaller pieces), so even though we may think we are recycling our plastic bottles or shopping bags, they will likely remain on Earth long after humans have gone extinct.
