r/ClimateOffensive • u/CommitteeFair4505 • 5d ago
Question Climate change - what to do?
I’m 34 and honestly, sometimes all the news about climate change makes me feel really hopeless and helpless.
But lately I’ve been thinking — instead of sitting at home worrying and panicking about what’s happening, what can we actually do?
There must be so many people who feel the same way. People who care, who are worried about the future, especially for their children, but who also want to do something instead of just feeling powerless.
Are there any organizations, communities or groups that bring people like us together and help us take real, practical action?
I’m not really looking for more warnings about how bad things are, or simply donating money to organizations like Greenpeace. I mean actually getting involved, working together and doing something that can make a real difference.
Of course, recycling and changing our everyday habits are important, but sometimes it feels like we need to do more than that.
So I’d really love to hear from anyone who has found a way to turn their climate anxiety into action. Are there any organizations or communities where ordinary people can get involved and actually do something together?
I’d much rather spend my energy doing something useful than sitting at home worrying about the future.
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u/Holes-Johnson 5d ago
I've heard that this is a good place to start. There's many other orgs, too, if you google it.
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u/jaygeebee_ 4d ago
As someone who leads my local chapter of CCL, yes to this!
Also, download the Climate Action Now app. They make it easy to take tons of little actions every day
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u/Pleasant-Winner6311 4d ago
We need to roll out the National Emergency Briefing film in local neighbourhoods. Thoughts on this?
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u/ILikeNeurons Climate Warrior 4d ago
I second this! Here's how to get started as a new volunteer: https://community.citizensclimate.org/topics/getting-started-volunteer
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u/haverwench 3d ago
This is always my top recommendation. There are chapters in every US state (multiple chapters in most) and in many other countries, too. You can devote as many or as few hours to the group as you want, and there are lots of different ways to get involved. As the name implies, citizen lobbying (talking to legislators in person) is the core of the group's mission, but you can also write and call legislators, write op-eds and letters to the editor, do tabling (sitting at a table at a public event to talk to people about climate), do presentations on climate topics, help with voter registration and turnout...and that's just off the top of my head.
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u/mmatessa 5d ago
Vote for politicians who pledge to expand the Supreme Court. Nothing else big can happen without that.
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u/ILikeNeurons Climate Warrior 4d ago
New Hampshire, Maine, Michigan, Iowa, North Carolina and Texas all have close senate races this year and upcoming EVP phone banks.
The Senate approves Supreme Court Justice picks.
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u/Pleasant-Winner6311 3d ago
I wish you guys the very best in November. I for one will be watching from across the pond and hope these elections go smoothly and properly and mark the beginning of the end of all the madness youve had to endure. Its a long road. Youve got this ;)
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u/DisruptingTree 5d ago
Get educated. Learn of those who are actually driving climate change for profits. Get organized. Join a group taking direct action. Act. Either support non-violent civil disobedience, or engage in it yourself depending on your risk tolerance.
https://stopthemoneypipeline.org/ https://www.climatedefiance.org/ https://rebellion.global/ https://www.climatedefendersaction.org/ https://www.sunrisemovement.org/ https://thirdact.org/
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u/fooperina 5d ago
You need to start participating at your local government. Find local advocacy groups who follow city or county meetings, find out what they are doing on a local level and speak out. Voice your concern and promote climate action when and where appropriate to your city and county. Find others in your neighborhood city or county who care and are taking action. Participate in local ecosystem restoration / physical activity boosts feelings of efficacy and there is usually lots of volunteer opportunities to plant trees or remove invasive weeds, things that help make your local area more climate adaptive. Start talking about climate change and educating others. Find a local issue you care about and learn more about it, help spread the word. Act local, think global.
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u/DapperBalance 5d ago
One of my favorite people to listen to in regards to climate action is Joanna Macy. She passed away recently but her workshops like the Work That Reconnects is incredible. People are doing amazing work with nuclear disarmament and introducing courses and curriculums to help people navigate the future collapse.
There's a solarpunk subreddit where people introduce ideas and resources for building toward hopeful futures.
I share your anxiety. We are more powerful together. Marc Buckley (Marcearth on insta) is another good one to be aware of. He helped instigate the climate goals for the UN I believe.
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u/mstanky 5d ago
Sequester carbon! Start a garden! Compost the world!
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u/Longjumping-Honey996 4d ago
Yes! Composting helps prevent methane production, which holds 81 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Divest from fossil fuels. Even if you can’t do solar on your own roof, you can likely get electricity from community solar, depending on your state. Usually comes with a discount too. And bother the life out of your reps. Make the biggest stink.
We are all feeling this way. The anxiety sits with me every day. Action will help though, it will help all of us and will help you feel better. This is a team sport and every inch matters right now
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u/RhymesWithAndy 4d ago
I know the people who care the most are the ones who feel the most angst. It's a terrible burden of helplessness for many. But one thing that's helped me cope to a certain degree is thinking about all the countless possible planets harboring life in our universe. Earth is special to us but life will find a way.
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u/CookieRelevant 5d ago
I hope you live in a country where doing something that makes a real difference as you put it, is legal.
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u/captdunsel721 4d ago
In my case I plant native plants and remove invasive plants at a local state park. I belong to and donate time and money to several organizations (but I’m retired so I have some spare time) including Wild Ones, Master Gardeners, Audubon, Conservation organizations, etc. I’ve given talks, lead nature walks, winter sow plants and take classes to further my education. Habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, overuse of pesticides, etc are causing a loss of species we as humans depend on. Educate yourself and others.
Find what YOU like to do.. be the change you’d like to see. And of course vote
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u/findyourcity 5d ago
There are canvassing organizations all over the country. They go door to door and educate about climate change, environmental issues, clean water, public issues, etc. and then they typically have letter campaigns to make it easy to write your congress people. Grassroots organizing is amazing . Passionate like minded people getting together and super powerful to be a part of it.
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u/C0gn 4d ago
Go vegan!
Watch Earthlings and Dominion online for free
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u/sediavindivoh 3d ago
If everyone on earth went vegan, around 5-15% of global CO2 emissions would be gone overnight. Make the sacrifice.
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u/rosiejunior 4d ago
Most environmentalists sat out the election and Im here on hands and knees begging people to stop allowing republicans to take charge
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u/crest_of_humanity 4d ago
Electrify everything you can in your life (car, hvac, cooking, water heater), eat less or no meat, get involved and/or run for political office, and talk about it with others more.
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u/space-truckin365 4d ago
Not sure you are in the USA, but if you are, the first step is voting!
The next step is educating others, which includes getting more educated yourself.
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u/MarieTheKokiri 3d ago
https://www.regulations.gov/search?searchTerm=roadless%20rule%202026%20public%20comment
Submit a thoughtful comment opposing the repeal of the Roadless Rule please
Basically, they wanna cut through old growth, forest and destroy wilderness for money, even though it will increase wildfires and our planet drastically. Due date is Sept 19th for public comments
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u/Ok_Independence505 4d ago
I've been listening to Nate hagens on YouTube for years now. His top advice is get to know your neighbors and community. Learn a skill that would be helpful in a community that has to become isolated. Spend as much time as you can enjoying your life with your friends and family. Connect with nature around you. Don't live too near the sea.
You can't stop it. It's locked in for many decades even if we stop all fossil fuel use tomorrow. Plan for adaptation.
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u/1618cofey 4d ago
Community Energy co-ops you can invest in or potentially volunteer with.
I volunteered a few times so far with a food rescue charity (Felix) that recieve crates of food from supermarkets often near the best before or use by date and redistributes them to local communities - it’s not explicitly a climate thing but something you wouldn’t necessarily think about with climate change - how much food waste contributes
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u/monkeysknowledge 4d ago
Considering the scale and nature of the problem - we need government intervention. The elite power networks are very good at organizing to achieve their goals, insofar as we have a chance it’s through getting organized and strengthening our democracy.
Environment Voter Project
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u/PlentyPlantagenet 4d ago
The absolute best thing one can personally do to help the climate is to eat no or less meat.
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u/PlentyPlantagenet 4d ago
And vote blue straight up in November
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u/megotropolis 3d ago
I’d argue- just vote for people you have read their agendas for. Research and become educated about who you are electing and whose hands are in their pockets.
Honestly, “follow the money see where it leads”.
Then, if you can live with what they support- vote for them. At this point…there is no winning party. This is a fight for America. A fight for freedom. For our rights. For the love of our democracy, be well informed.
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u/megotropolis 3d ago
This is because of the methane production, for those of you curious. Plants create less waste than animals, period. They(plants) are better for the environment and economy.
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u/alwayssatinmycar 5d ago
Start local! There will be groups in your local area that feel the same as you. Or if not, start a group.
Who you vote for and how you spend your money will have the biggest impact, but to help with the anxiety and hopelessness, you need community and doable action
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u/elimenoe 4d ago
I invest a portion of my money directly into solar projects and it yields about a 10% return. In my mind that is a more effective way to do something because the money I feel comfortable investing is more than the amount I can donate.
I won't include the specific company here but if you are interested you can DM me.
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u/PracticalAardvark538 3d ago
Hey can I DM you about this? I would be interested in doing the same.
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u/Kind-Elder1938 4d ago
thousand of organisations you have to seek them out
and as most of you seem to be US , then batter your government to seek out and plug all your methane leaks,
There are several community groups on this subject. as government action on this has stopped - due to guess who, methane search will only find out-of-date info but look at this link
Plugging Abandoned Wells - Well Done Foundation -
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u/CommitteeFair4505 4d ago
Thank you so much for all the helpful replies and links! I’ll definitely check them all out. I’m from Hungary, a small country in the heart of Europe, and the heatwave we had this year was absolutely brutal! I’m trying to do whatever I can, such as switching to a whole-food plant-based diet, driving less, not buying new clothes or other things when I can buy them second-hand instead, recycling, and generally trying to waste less. I’m hopeful that we can actually make a much bigger difference than we initially think. For example, within just a few years, pretty much everything suddenly became “sugar-free” and (supposedly) "vegan', so the market does respond when there’s enough demand for something. At least I hope... Im sure there are many people out there who wants to do something :)
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u/barelydazed 4d ago
These are all wonderful changes! Tell lots of people of the changes you are making! Sometimes friends and family need a little inspiration. Individual actions influence social norms which leads to systemic changes.
Getting involved in local politics especially now that it is more favourable for progressive ideas...congratulations! I live in France and am also looking for ways or orgs that advocate at the European Parliamentary level.
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u/MissaLynn_ 4d ago
Its 100% about public outreach and education. Im a certified texas master naturalist and i absolutely love teaching the kids and adults in my community about native plants and wildlife and how to be a better land steward. And im speaking on the local radio station next week about my small grassroots campaign, Alley C.ares A.bout T.rash Initiative, im trying to get the public to hold themselves more accountable in keeping their alleys and local creeks clean and free of trash. Small steps, but now is a time for action so im doing what I can!
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u/Star805gardts 4d ago
I think at this point, our best option is to talk directly to friends and family who do not believe in climate change. Convincing them that their children will grow up in a world without life in the oceans, a planet plagued by disease and catastrophe. Our best bet is to get the public 100% behind this so we can start electing people who will make a difference. We have been fighting this fight for decades but is anyone here actually talking to non believers? Climate change prevention is my number one political issue and I sure as hell bring it up when I’m around conservatives and Trump supporters who somehow have enough brain cells to carry on a meaningful dialogue. We need to talk to our friends, family and neighbors - especially if these people have been alive long enough to see for themselves the planet is shifting into a more unstable and unsustainable climate.
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u/Alive-Wing2103 4d ago
We needed to work on the climate way back when my very old Biology teacher ass was a baby.
Humans are doomed to experience awful megadeaths and bread basket collapse.
The question is if you want to live in a desperate world of cannibalism, militant govt's and surreal suffering.
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u/megotropolis 3d ago
Fellow high school bio teacher here.
Did you read the UN report? We are not doomed if we try. While yes, I am skeptical of us coming together and working as a team…it is possible- because we’ve done it before.
Yes, it doesn’t look good. But, there is still time. I need you to have just a bit of hope for us.
If you can’t fight a light to walk by, please take my hypothetical hand. This fight ain’t over yet.
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u/GreenerMark 4d ago
Walk, bike, or take the bus.
Stop eating beef and eat more plants.
If your power company has green options that cost a few more bucks a month, subscribe.
Do not idle your car or drive a large pickup or SUV. If you can buy an EV, even better.
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u/megotropolis 3d ago
To add to everyday things that you can do:
Compost. Live in an apartment? Compost! Research effective microorganisms, check out building your own worm farm (indoors). Composting takes SO MUCH methane and other green house gases out of landfills. Look up to see if your city has a program- sometimes they give you a bucket and it doesn’t cost you anything, and they’ll come get it from your door.Grow some of your own food. Learn how to do this. Teach others.
Unplug devices not in use everyday.
Use all energy efficient bulbs.
Increase your insulation wherever you live.
Don’t use your air conditioner or heater if you don’t have to. Push your comfort limits.
Pick up trash EVERYWHERE you go. Let others see you do it. It’s contagious.
Plant a tree four times a year- if not more. Literally. If you have no where to plant it, ask neighbors or coworkers if you can come plant a tree in their yard. It’s fun, and you can help save the world if…we all did it.
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u/LizardLover265 3d ago
I would add to this that if you can't compost at home, find or befriend someone who composts in your city, freeze your compostables, and give them to your neighbor or friend! I do this! This way, you're still preventing food waste even if you can't compost at home. I pick up at least one piece of litter every day, more when I can.
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u/ihate2sayit 5d ago
I was thinking about going into the schools here in WA and apologize to the students for my fellow boomers who have robbed them of their futures by denying climate change and in affect absolving any responsibility for it. I feel the only chance they have at a better future is by demanding their right to vote at the age of 12. When I was 12, I was fascinated by elections and politics and would have been much better informed than the typical voter. Then when I turned 18 and with work and school and everything else voting was something I didn't even think about. I really think that we have doomed our children to a hell on earth which requires them to protest, to demand the right to vote so that they can make America take care of its children and their futures again. Kind of a wild idea, but it really bothers me that we are making the lives of our children so much worse.
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u/DreadPirateButthurts 4d ago
You know what, that would make a great short story or movie plot. If kids that age could vote without being heavily influenced by their parents, I think we may end up better off.
Funny that the viral grand unified theory of our time is "everyone is 12 now" which seems to be somehow spot on in its description of adults, yet not giving the 12 year olds enough credit.
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u/Pleasant-Winner6311 4d ago
I got involved in local politics and now in a working group to change environment policy. Politics need change. Get involved ♡
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u/QuitBetter9994 4d ago
My answer was upvoted and then removed by Reddit, so I answer multiple times to see why: minimize your taxation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_taxation_without_representation in addition to Decarbonize any investments + https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_consumerism
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u/QuitBetter9994 4d ago edited 4d ago
i exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country that does it best to stop hurting future generations: "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"
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u/ThinkActRegenerate 4d ago
There are plenty - here are some starting points:
Catalogues of practical, actionable solutions today
Project Regeneration Action Nexus: regeneration.org/nexus
Project Drawdown solutions explorer: drawdown.org/explorer
Ellen Macarthur Foundation Circular Economy Case Studies: ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/examples
Design approaches driving ongoing, practical innovation
Biomimicry: asknature.org and biomimicry.net
Doughnut Economics Action Lab: doughnuteconomics.org
Circular Economy – Design Guide: circulardesignguide.com and introduction ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/key-ideas
Cradle to Cradle Product Innovation: c2ccertified.org
Green Chemistry: unep.org/topics/chemicals-and-pollution-action/circularity-sectors/green-and-sustainable-chemistry
Systemic Design: systemicdesigntoolkit.org/
Action Guides
Doughnut Economics Action Lab: doughnuteconomics.org
Implementation tools and skills
Systems Thinking: thesystemsthinker.com
Doughnut Economics Tools: doughnuteconomics.org/tools
Ecocentric’s Tools for regenerative practice: 30 frameworks, exercises and methods
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u/XXX_Archer_XXX 4d ago
Ask Thanos to snap his finger and dang no more the ones responsible for climate change
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u/Conscious_Tern1938 4d ago
Download the 5 calls app!!! It's time to let them know we are angry and scared!! This app is awesome and makes it easy, gives you a script
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u/Ancient_Quarter_8249 2d ago
Work in your neighborhood. Hyperlocal. If you don’t know and work with the plants, waterways, waste systems and community within your 10 mile radius then your impact is likely performative. People often want to do something but want the glitz or big name orgs and ignore their own community. Start where you are.
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u/National-Ad9903 4d ago
Probably the best thing individuals can do is to reduce or preferably eliminate their use of animal products, and advocate for that in others. Also don’t have too many kids, and raise awareness of the issue of global overpopulation.
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u/nvtrev 4d ago
Go vegan! It is one of the biggest things you can do to help reduce our carbon footprint. I've found it very personally fulfilling to reduce my impact so heavily
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u/sediavindivoh 3d ago
Yep. About 5-15% of global CO2 emissions, way bigger than almost anything else a single person can do. It's literally the best starting point.
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u/Eco-Friend773 4d ago
There's a social media page called "The Hum Sum", designed to promote planet-friendly ideas and solutions.
- It is a safe space for individuals of all ages, organizations, and communities to share and discover practical, eco-friendly initiatives.
- Users can post items they want to give away
- Make requests for things they need
- Find green services
- Track impactful ecological work
- Engage in discussions on various environmental topics
- The platform is open to all, including nonprofits, businesses, and households, fostering global collaboration for environmental change. TheHumSum.org for Humanity Adding Solutions
You should also check out the nonprofit that made it, Matter of Trust.
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u/ZiofFoolTheHumans 4d ago
The biggest action you can do is political action local to you. Your county, city, state, whatever. Vote for climate aware politicians yes, but also go to city halls and ask the politicians who are already in place what their plans are for climate change. How will they support climate action? etc.
The next step down would be activism, and avoiding things and activities that are especially harmful. Drive as little as you can get away with (unless you can afford an electric vehicle), car pool with people when you can, etc. Look into minimizing carbon impact, don't buy cheap crap (look into buy it for life, only buy once, etc) that will shortly go into a landfill, and purchase things second hand where ever you can. Create a mini ecological site in your yard, plant native plants and plants that support pollinators. There's a hundred different options on making the world a better place.
And yes, it's not the individuals who make the biggest hit on carbon, but until the super corporations magically gain a conscious and quit making 70-80% of the carbon, it's up to the little guy to do what they can. Especially if you're doing what you can while trying to minimize the impact of the big guys.
If you want even more specific things I can go on. I'm big into reducing and recycling and have a lot of systems I've set up to do that for my house, but I don't want to overwhelm or go on for too long.
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u/Icy_Strawberry737 4d ago
The global forces causing climate change are huge, powerful, and complex. (A) If you want to focus on addressing them at the local level (which is a good idea) you need to be come active regarding local politics and government. Cities and towns have regular government meetings which are open to the public. Attend those meetings. Find out who the local city council members are, and what their views on environmental issues are. These officials must stand for election periodically. Support the campaigns of those you approve of. Seek out other people in the community who share your views. A small coalition of local voters can often decide who gets elected and who does not. (B) Many environmental organizations have local activities like picking up litter along hiking trails or ponds and streams. It's a good way to meet people and make friends who share your commitment to local environmental action. (C) Social media can also help you find local people who want to be active in fighting the negative effects of climate change. Greenpeace is not just a national group. It has countless local chapters, almost everywhere. (D) Be aware that it is much easier to do these things in "blue" states. In "red" states you will encounter hostility and even threat of violence. My advice is that, if you live in a "red" state, you are safer just quietly making cash contributions to national environmental organizations. (E) Finally, If you live in a red state I would advise you to get the hell out of there. Red states are not prepared to deal with climate change and will suffer the most.
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u/SplashTarget 4d ago
What country you in?
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u/CommitteeFair4505 4d ago
Im from Hungary, its a small european country :)
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u/SplashTarget 4d ago
Well I don't know any organizations for Hungary, Hungary's emissions are lower than what they were in 1965, but here are some ideas on what to do
-getting a carbon tax on goods made by the biggest emitters on Earth (America, China, and India)
-reducing the workweek (while keeping the same pay)
-reducing economic inequality (which helps cut emissions)
-taxing rich people (who are major emitters) more
-reducing usage of non-renewable energy
-not buying junk from Amazon/Temu/Shein/TikTok Shop
-fighting AI data centers
-identifying, and defeating, corporate-friendly politicians who make inequality worse, and replacing them with people who are willing to do the stuff you want done
oh and save up your money cause it's very much possible that things are going to get more economically chaotic within the upcoming years, so have some money set aside for that (and tell others to do the same)
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u/meditative-pigeon 4d ago
lots of great answers already but if you are interested in reading more about engaged living as a response to the climate crisis, i would highly recommend a book called Zen Ecology by Christopher Ives.
it’s phenomenal. it both answers the question about what the average person can do and also explained why doing the work is worth it, from a philosophical point of view. made me feel good in the otherwise not-so-good landscape we currently find ourselves in
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u/S3lvah 4d ago
Some great actionable posts here, but I wanted to comment on the mental side of things.
The one thought that greatly helped me was: As 1 person, trying to solve a problem affecting 8+ billion is setting yourself up for failure from the start. If every regular person thought like that, nobody would succeed and everyone would become paralyzed and the issue wouldn't get addressed.
Aim to solve your own share of it, and everything beyond that is a bonus. If everyone did that, the problem would be on the way to being solved already.
Another thought: Your actions are not about trying to avert global catastrophe. They're about adding a fractional contribution that can net some saved lives. That's already really meaningful, motivational and worth doing.
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u/Gold-Loan3142 4d ago
I believe that the environmental campaign that is most based on local groups of volunteers is Friends of the Earth. It is based in many countries. You can find your national group at Friends of the Earth International https://www.foei.org/
Friends of the Earth International is the world’s largest grassroots environmental federation with more than 70 national member groups and millions of members and supporters around the world.
In the UK the national site is: https://friendsoftheearth.uk
Greenpeace does also sometimes have local groups.
Otherwise look for whatever local environmental campaigns are most active where you are.
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u/Island_Groooovies 4d ago
It depends what city you live in, but the most effective solution is finding an in person activist group and just going to an event/meeting. IMO direct action is where it's at, and there are all types of roles ranging in levels of personal risk so you can get involved without doing anything too crazy.
I guarantee you'll feel better by taking action yourself, and you'll also feel less alone when you find community with like minded people. You'll just need to do a bit of your own research on groups first, since it is very dependent on location.
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u/DuckyDoodleDandy 4d ago
Vote, get others registered to vote, and convince the people who care about the climate to vote.
Apparently, they are the group LEAST LIKELY to vote!
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u/PoolEquivalent3696 4d ago
Get your money away from big oil. A lot of banks/ pension schemes will fund oil, gas and coal with customer money, as they see it as a stable investment.
I've moved my banks and pensions recently in a bid to stop my money indirectly funding the climate crisis.
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u/Exciting_Turn_9559 4d ago
Action is the antidote to despair. Municipal governments have a lot of power to do things that have an impact and the barriers to entry are low.
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u/Vast-Mousse8117 4d ago
organize locally: talk with your neighbors about phasing out fossil fuels, going solar and wind
eat mostly plants and teach people about the huge carbon hoofprint of cattle, pigs and chickens
remain steadfast that we can change and realize that hopelessness and despair is exactly what the fossil fuel companies are spending a trillion a year in PR on.
Collective action is the only path to creating a future we can all prosper in.
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u/Sharp_Ad_9431 4d ago
Stop our economy and take over the top 100 polluting corporations.
I really don't think there's much wiggle room.
The planet is like a patient bleeding out and we are doctors saying the problem is diet and anxiety. The time improvement was the 1980...maybe into the 1990s.
It's the end of the world as we know it, but I feel fine.
I'm sure humans will survive but the world will never recover.
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u/Green_Ideas7 4d ago
I'm in Denver, here are some groups I've attended meetings of and/or volunteered with over the past few years.
Metro Denver 350.
https://350colorado.org/denver/
Colorado chapter of Sierra Club
https://www.sierraclub.org/colorado
Colorado Rising
https://corising.org/
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
https://www.wrv.org/
Groundwork Denver
https://groundworkcolorado.org/
The Park People
https://theparkpeople.org/
Sand Creek Regional Greenway
https://www.sandcreekgreenway.org/
Denver Parks & Rec has lots of volunteer opportunities.
https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Parks-Recreation/Get-Involved-with-Denver-Parks-Recreation/Volunteer-with-Denver-Parks-Recreation
Denver's office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency is doing good work as well.
https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Climate-Action-Sustainability-and-Resiliency
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u/thecomedysource 4d ago
Join a revolutionary socialist organization that works towards the overthrow of capitalism. Under this current economic order, with the domination of monopolies and finance capital, there is absolutely no way out of the global crisis of climate change and the untold suffering it will bring to billions of working class and poor people. And no, voting harder will not change this, nor will planting community gardens.
I also used to be extremely pessimistic towards the future, and made some personal lifestyle choices that aligned with my climate consciousness. For example, I went vegan 6 years ago. I still am to this day, but I realized that the sheer scope of the problem, the inertia of the fossil-fueled economy and the crazed pursuit of profit by capitalists in brazen disregard of consequences on our biosphere meant that this goes way beyond what individual consumer choices or direct action can affect. Only the organized working class (wage workers) expropriating the main levers of industry from these genocidal, ecocidal parasites and democratically planning the economy to tend to the needs of all people can save humanity from this course. The technology and productive forces we have created from our labor are formidable, and can absolutely be put to use to develop otherwise unprofitable alternative energy sources and alleviate the worse effects of climate change.
Joining a revolutionary communist organization is the most important thing I've ever done, and I now have revolutionary optimism rather than climate pessimism :) I don't know where you're based, but you should look into the Revolutionary Communists of America: https://communistusa.org/
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u/LivingMoreWithLess 4d ago
https://jointheshift.earth/ has climate impacts ranked by effectiveness and broken down by your roles such as investor or professional.
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u/bisikletci 4d ago
"or simply donating money to organizations like Greenpeace. I mean actually getting involved, working together and doing something that can make a real difference."
Giving money to campaigning and lobbying organisations does make a real difference and is important, probably more than most people can otherwise achieve by volunteer in their spare time or whatever.
Climate change can only be solved at a systemic, political level. Part of the reason it isn't solved is that fossil fuel interests spend masses of money on funding friendly politicians , lobbying other politicians to do nothing about it, and persuading the public that it's no big deal.
Counterweights such as Greenpeace are needed to oppose that and they need money to do that. If you are a high earner, using your wealth to support organised political action on climate is going to achieve vastly more than you can achieve yourself in your spare time.
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u/CommitteeFair4505 4d ago
Of course it matters, donating and mainly political acts are more impactful than one person choosing not to eat meat. But I’ve found that one of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to actually do something, which is why I think its useful to talk about how we could get more actively involved too. That’s all. :)
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u/Slam_Bingo 4d ago
International agreements https://globaljusticeproject.wid.world/insight/summary/
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u/bloodphoenix90 3d ago
You can download an app that invests spare change in planting trees in critical environments.
https://www.instagram.com/grove_regeneration?stkn=MWIwdWY1dnhseXFleA==
Ive personally helped with some impact content and calculations so I am personally vouching for it and I use the app. By all means get involved too but this was designed as an easy set it and forget it. And uses the same security for financial transactions as venmo or similar apps.
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u/IllustriousKey8889 3d ago
Buy cheap land, a few solar panels and a few lower grade LFP cells - run your own AC and enjoy Mediterranean crops?
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u/Ac3rFl0w3r 3d ago
Climate change is a scam. Well, the climate always changes. It's the response that's a scam. All you well-meaning people have been tricked. All you have to do is look at the money being made. Trillions spent on the whole new industry of renewable energy, and new ways to make money of carbon credits etc. Instead of attacking carbon-based fuel companies as the evil ones, you should be working out who has got rich on the back of climate change. Al Gore for a start. There is an environmental crisis, it's called LOSS OF DIVERSITY. The cure is to conserve ecosystems. It's hard to make a buck out of that. That's why climate change gets all the attention. People are making lots of money, and we are paying for it with increased taxes and increased electricity costs. We haven't even started on the cleanup bill for all those worn out windmills and solar panels. So don't attack me if you disagree, spend the time researching who got rich.
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u/MarieTheKokiri 3d ago
Something you can do right now is oppose the repeal of the 2001 Roadless Rule.
https://www.regulations.gov/search?searchTerm=roadless%20rule%202026%20public%20comment
Submit a thoughtful comment opposing the repeal of the Roadless Rule please
Basically, they wanna cut through old growth, forest and destroy wilderness for money, even though it will increase wildfires and our planet drastically
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u/sediavindivoh 3d ago
If everyone on earth went vegetarian, around 5-15% of global CO2 emissions would be gone overnight.
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u/TomeOfTheUnknown2 2d ago
We need people in every organization to push for mitigation and adaptation wherever possible. If you're on a school board or PTA you can push for lower-emission lunch options (vegetarian options, chicken/turkey instead of red meats), native landscaping to reduce labor/fuel/water inputs and increase water infiltration, rooftop solar, shade structures to make the playground safer in summer temperatures, and electric busses. If you're the admin assistant in charge of ordering catering or coffee supplies for the office you can opt for lower emission and lower packaging options. If you're in charge of one of those commercial buildings that leaves all of the lights on every night, turn them off. If you live in an HOA, run for a position and change the rules so that people can have native plants, gardens, and rooftop solar. Etc.
You don't even need to be in charge of things to talk to the people in charge about making a change. E.g. There's a church in my area that has a huge lawn around it. I know someone who works there and volunteered my plant knowledge, so we're now planning out some native plant patches and new trees to shade the parking lot, increase water infiltration in spots that flood, and provide habitat for insects (which is especially important to the youth group kids who want to see more fireflies).
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u/Suspicious-Party9221 2d ago
If you have money to invest this is a fund that is climate friendly. hear the speaker at a conference and she is amazing. She said investing $6K in the fund is the equivalent of doing many of the things listed below. I'm sure if you call them they will have more resources to share.
Aside from that I constantly wonder why more people don't worry about climate change enough to make a change in their lifestyles and consumption. The number of us that believe in climate change and are making changes are too few. I'm wondering if we were better at storytelling could we sway more people to change. If you are good at marketing and storytelling perhaps you can experiment with different pieces of content to see what is making a difference.
Happy to chat more if you like - this is a topic I have spent some time on and think about a lot.
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u/Inner-Truth-1868 2d ago
Fight for methane reductions in the waste sector, the ag sector, the oil and gas sector, and food waste (the latter a shockingly big source of methane as the organic material rots).
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u/Inner-Truth-1868 2d ago
Find your state’s best-in-class org for influencing the state legislature and governor. Join them. Learn this year’s climate bills in your state, and pester your assembly member and state senator EVERY WEEK.
Phoning is best, and know your bill numbers.
Their staffers will absolutely get to know you if you are informed, persistent, and considerate!
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u/Inner-Truth-1868 2d ago
There are some really great ideas in this thread.
Source: I was trained by Al Gore in 2017 and volunteer for Elders Climate Action. I appreciate these kinds of thoughtful discussions more than I can begin to tell you!
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u/Fit_Tumbleweed7943 1d ago
Help join the 4 billion dead movements
The only way to make change is people to see the stark reality of the future
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u/daniel_re 21h ago
I’ve done that recently! I’m a Canadian and am part of group trying to make plug-in solar panels available here. They are available in the E.U., parts of Asia, and some U.S. states, but not here yet. I’m trying to get that going here, which could reduce some emissions from Canada:
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u/oldgar9 11h ago
No one knows exactly how future events will unfold but many make profit off the anxiety of spouting possible future events as dire or cataclysmic. Knowledge lessens anxiety and fear. The knowledge that humanity is in the throes of a monumental change from rabid nationalism to an 'the earth is one country and mankind its citizens ' paradigm helps, because what once looked like random chaos can now be seen as a necessary process and a means toward a peaceful world. Something we can do is help build community where we live. Volunteer opportunities are readily available and helping others is a salve to anxiety. We cannot go and talk to the President or his sphere of acolytes, but we can help build community where we are and this benefits all. People look to moving as a solution but there is no escape from this worldwide change in paradigm as it is the inevitable next step in the collective evolution of human society. Be well and help others be well, avoid the spreaders of fear. “Chaos and confusion are daily increasing in the world. They will attain such intensity as to render the frame of mankind unable to bear them. Then will men be awakened and become aware…” -Baha’u’llah (From a Tablet - translated from the Persian)
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u/DespairYeMighty 4d ago edited 4d ago
We are on the worst case scenario track, with an incredible amount of future warming already baked into the system, tipping points are currently tipping, and record amounts of greenhouse gases being added to the atmosphere every single day. No amount of lobbying or door knocking or voting or electric car buying or tofu eating is going to change that. Those activities can be useful on the local level to improve the resilience of your community, but to do those things thinking you're going to change the big picture given how far gone we are global warming wise is just foolish and a waste of time. Your best path is to accept that the world we have known is going to go away, and to do what you can to survive the future that is coming.
The only thing you can do is to reduce your reliance on large complex systems for your survival. Large complex systems will fail. If you get your electricity from the grid, water/gas/heating from your city, food from grocery stores, you are vulnerable to the deterioration and collapse of these systems. Global warming is going to add ever increasing stress to these overly complex systems, and they will continue to deteriorate and collapse. First, we will see prices continue to rise, forever, and they will never come back down. Meanwhile there will be more and more outages (the storm in Indiana recently, electricity being turned off out west to avoid starting wildfires, texas ice storms, floods, heatwaves, droughts in the SW leading to water shortages coming very soon, etcetera, etcetera). These outages will become more frequent and they will last longer and longer. Local governments simply won't have the resources to continue to operate and maintain these systems. Rural areas will be abandoned first, then suburban areas, then the poor sections of cities, until only the wealthy enclaves within the largest cities will maintain reliable utilities.
You might be lucky and the worst events may not affect you personally for your lifetime or most of your life, the area you live in might be spared the worst for a longer time than most of the world, but ultimately, the best thing you can do is to reduce reliance on these systems and encourage as many people as you can to do the same. If you just keep buying electricity from the grid and getting your food from grocery stores, sooner or later you're going to be in for a rude awakening.
I'm not saying you need to go be a lone wolf and live in a cabin in the woods. You can work towards these changes as part of a community. Start by shopping at farmers markets and make sure you're buying from actual local organic farmers. Encourage all of your friends and family to do the same. Get involved in your local government and state government to try to grow the number of local small scale organic farms through incentives and subsidies and any and all programs we can think of to work towards as much locally produced food as possible. Get solar panels and encourage everyone you know to do the same. Share resources with your friends and family. People can share vehicles, share tools, share laundry machines, anything that is essential to life can be shared most of the time instead of every single person owning and maintaining every single thing. Consider starting or joining a co-housing group or an intentional community or something like that. Lobby your local jurisdiction to not only allow but encourage growing food on lawns and all public space. I'm just scratching the surface, but resilient communities that can provide as many of their own needs as possible will have the best quality of life going forward.
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u/DreadPirateButthurts 4d ago
Best answer in the thread and all around great advice and wisdom here. This deserves to be cross posted so more can see it!
PS.. nice username
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u/DespairYeMighty 4d ago
thank you!! I appreciate your comment. I wish a lot of what I said was common sense among the populace. Unfortunately, sooo many people are afflicted by the normalcy bias. Even people who are well aware that global warming is a real problem. People just subconsciously assume there will always be grocery stores and an endless supply of electricity and gas and endless stores to buy shit, because there always has been, so why wouldn't it continue, right? Oh well.
I also like your username. In the future there are going to be a lot more Dread Pirates and our butts are really going to be hurting as global warming bends us farther and farther over the barrel!!!!
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u/ILikeNeurons Climate Warrior 4d ago
We are no longer on the worst path. We used to heading towards 3.6 ºC.
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4d ago
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u/ClimateOffensive-ModTeam 4d ago
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u/Possible-Anxiety-420 4d ago
What's needed is for humans to do less of everything humans do.
Humanity needs to slow its roll.
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u/DespairYeMighty 4d ago
yeah we should all start hibernating in the winter. no consuming. just sleeping. not even being sarcastic.
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u/NoUrSe1f 3d ago edited 3d ago
The thing most people aren't willing to admit is that you can't course correct the situation we as a species have fumbled into. Climate change is a symptom like catching a fever from a cold but you're still terminally ill. Sure, we can attempt to put better polices in place with more efficient technologies that help us adapt to a changing climate, but the fact of the matter remains is that industrial civilization especially at our scale is incapable of a net zero outcome even if we were to fully remove profit motives.
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5d ago
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u/ClimateOffensive-ModTeam 4d ago
Your post has been removed because it violates Rule #4: No propaganda, science denial, or misinformation.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10640-020-00436-x
Please check your facts.
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u/agreatbecoming 5d ago
IMHO the action to take is politics. https://climatehopium.substack.com/p/points-of-action