Climate Solutions: What You Can Do

1. Learn

Learn about the problem, the policies, the science, and the solutions so you can accurately communicate about climate change. Being educated about climate change is the first step to making a difference.

  • Visit our webpage to learn more about the basics of climate change, the southwest's projected climate, and specific impacts already observed in Northern Arizona.
  • Learn even more about the science and impacts of climate change from NASA, U.S. Global Change Research Program, and the 2017 National Climate Assessment.
  • Explore the global-scale solutions to reducing carbon emissions from Drawdown, an organization that has provided a comprehensive list of the most important global actions.
  • Stay up-to-date with climate and energy legislation through new sources like the High Country News, and Vox's Energy and Environment section.

2. Speak Up & Participate

Your voice matters! Share what you have learned about climate change.

  • Participate in your community's efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, such as providing your input for Flagstaff's first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.
  • Speak up about climate action to your local and state officials.
  • Engage in conversations about climate change science and solutions with your friends and family.

3. Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), our daily emissions come from five major areas: home energy (they split this into two categories), transportation, purchases, and food.

Learn more about Flagstaff's greenhouse gas emissions.

What is your carbon footprint?

Transportation

Every gallon of gas you burn contributes about 24 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (UCS). Do some of these things to reduce your impact:

Carbon Emissions Pie Chart

Home Energy

  • Switch from incandescent bulbs to LED lights, they use 80% less energy.
  • Seal air leaks around doors, windows, and in your duct system. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, leaks can account for up to 20% of your energy bill.
  • Upgrade to more energy efficient appliances.

Learn more from the U.S. Department of Energy Energy Saver Guide, and attend one of our free Home Energy Efficiency 101 workshops.

Consumer Choices

Did you know that 42% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are associate with the stuff that we consume in our everyday lives?

Reduce Your Impact

  • Avoid single use items (i.e. water bottles, coffee cups, plastic bags, straws, etc.). Instead bring your own bag, water bottle, or travel mug.
  • Buy local to cut-down on fossil fuel use.
  • Make choices that reduce your waste (including waste that is recycled or composted).

Learn more about reducing your waste through composting programs in Flagstaff.

Food Most of us don't realize how much our food impacts the planet. Between water use; land use and resulting deforestation; and the fossil fuels used in transportation, harvest, processing and management; our food takes its toll.

Reduce Your Footprint

  • Reduce your meat consumption, especially beef. According to the World Resources Institute, if all cattle in the world resided in their own nation, they would be the 3rd largest greenhouse emitter, behind the U.S. and China.
  • Eat local.
  • Reduce your food waste.

Disclaimer

Neither the Climate program nor any of its partners endorse a particular business, company, or any organization through the Climate Solutions website.

Neither the Climate program nor any of its partners make any warranty, expressed or implied, or assume any legal liability or responsibility, for the businesses, organizations, products, or processes identified or disclosed in the Climate Solutions website.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Kate Meiner, Dana Peters, Athena Talk, Zoey Leifer, and Andrius Ruplenas for their help in preparing this list as part of their Senior Capstone Project at Northern Arizona University.

Thank you City of Aspen, Colorado for serving as a model and resource for this webpage.