Combatting Climate Change with Action

The latest report on the health of our ocean from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is sobering. The report details scores of worrying changes in our aquatic environments, including the virtual certainty that the ocean has absorbed more than 90% of the excess heat in our climate system, the prospect of an arctic that is ice-free every one in three years, increasing ocean acidification, deoxygenation events and rapidly accelerating sea level rise.

Ours is an ocean planet. These environmental changes, which present sweeping, irreversible impacts to the stability and health of our ocean, will limit the planet's ability to rebound and continue to provide us its many life-supporting resources.

This news can be hard to swallow, but there are still reasons to be hopeful, and much we can do as individuals to combat climate change.

Wondering about what sort of action you can take? The science says that even without significant government-led changes, individual actions can help reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate impacts. If only 10% of Americans adopted the below behaviors, we would reduce our nation's overall emissions by 8%.

Purchase an Electric Vehicle

Buying a new car? Consider electric. This is one of the most high-impact, easily feasible changes you can make.

Reduce Air Travel

Frequent flier? Take a train for your next close-range trip. Planes produce over 53 pounds of CO2 per mile.

Eat a Plant-Rich Diet

You can go full vegetarian if you want, but simply cutting your meat consumption down by a meal or two does loads to reduce your carbon footprint!

Reduce Food Waste

Consider buying smaller plates, cooking at home when possible, and composting. You'll save money, improve your health and get some great garden fertilizer!

Purchase Green Energy Products

Upgrading your kitchen? Purchase green energy products. You'll save money on electric bills and help save the planet, too.