- Transportation
After coal-burning power plants, cars are the second largest source of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United States. See transalt.org for more.
- Power
Burning coal for energy is the large source of CO2 and a major health threat to the public. Shifting away from dirty fossil fuels to renewable energy power is a key climate change solution. See votesolar.org for more.
- Food
Community gardens and locally grown food reduce the fossil fuel powered transportation (and CO2) it takes to deliver food from far away. Locally grown food stimulates local economies, supports local farmers, and is fresher since it's harvested right before it's sold. Local organic gardens are even better since they don't use petroleum based fertilizers and chemicals.
For more information see: localharvest.org/
- Green Spaces
The "heat island" effect is caused when heat that is usually be reflected is absorbed by asphalt, concrete and buildings. In short, "heat islands" form when humans cover the earth with man made buildings and infrastructure which prevents the earth from cooling naturally. The heat island has substantial effects on public health, energy demands and air quality. Parks and green spaces can mitigate UHIE and minimize local climate change.
Trees help by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen back into the air. Trees also absorb odors, pollutant gases and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them in their leaves and bark. Urban Parks – cool and clean the air, provide respite, and their cooler temperatures provide local climate mitigation. Green Walls (besides being aesthetically pleasing) scrub the air and help cool the environment.
- Green Jobs
Green-collar workers are installing solar panels, retrofitting buildings to make them more efficient, constructing transit lines, erecting wind farms, repairing hybrid cars, building green rooftops, planting trees, and so much more. An economic strategy focused on building a green economy will grow the number of green jobs available.
For more information see: greenforall.org
- Buildings
Buildings account for a huge portion of a country's carbon footprint. Greening buildings is a low-cost, high-return investment strategy that can reduce energy consumption and associated emissions. For more information, see: U.S. Green Building Council.
- Water
Climate change brings increased severity of storms, resulting in higher amounts of stormwater runoff. The runoff can cause increased erosion and more problems with overtaxed sewage systems.
- All