F e at u r e d C l i m at e A c t i o n s
Climate Action Group
What choices are you making that have an effect on global warming? Are these choices in alignment
with the world you want to see for the young people you love? Remember the power of collective
action and commit to align your lifestyle with your values. We urgently need to act on many levels at
once: personal, community, state & national, and to keep ourselves informed and inspired. These
monthly suggestions make it easy for you to decide what to do!
1. Personal: Use an electricity meter to find out which of your appliances are energy hogs. With the
Kill a Watt Electricity Usage Meter or Watts Up Pro Electricity Consumption Meter, you plug any
electric appliance into it and it’s easy to see how much energy is being used instantaneously or
over a user-specified time period. You can see, for example, how much energy your TV
consumes over a week. Both items are available on Amazon.com
2. Community: Plant fruit trees with other neighbors. Many fruit trees require more than one plant
in order to pollinate. Why not plan with your neighbors to coordinate planting trees that will
pollinate with each other? Local garden centers can advise you on the best varieties for our region
and how to get started.
3. State/National/Global: Learn here about a proposal for a Massachusetts Carbon Tax,
spearheaded by the group Environmental Tax Reform. This much-needed proposal would make
Massachusetts the first state in the nation to establish an economy-wide price on global warming
pollution. Current efforts are focusing on convincing the Democratic gubernatorial candidates. If
this effort excites you, go here to volunteer!
4. Inform yourself: The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has just issued
its updated Report on Climate Change. The National Geographic website links below provide
good summaries with links to the actual reports. Very worth checking out!
Part 1 issued Sept. 2013: Climate Change 2013:
The Physical Science Basis here
Part 2 issued March 2014: Climate Change 2014:
Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability here
Part 3 issued April 2014: Climate Change 2014:
Mitigation of Climate Change here
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