Take Climate Action
6 Ways to Join the Movement
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1. Choose Reusable
Our individual actions are powerful. Choosing mindful actions day-to-day can snowball into deep rooted positive change within our culture and industries. It also communicates to others that addressing the climate crisis is important, which will result in more people joining the movement and being apart of the solution. Through simple actions, each of us has the power to positively shift our community’s culture.
Carry these three reusable items to replace single use products:
water bottle
coffee thermos
grocery bags
This alone significantly reduces consumption of waste.
Bonus: switch over from bottles to shampoo bars
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2. Choose Responsible
To achieve drawdown, we need industry level change. Use your purchase power to support responsible companies that are taking climate action and implementing positive practices, such as Patagonia.
Additionally, if you invest in the market, such as through an IRA, impact investing is a powerful way to promote change. Impact investing is a strategy where you invest in companies that are creating positive social or environmental impact, rather than in companies that are causing harm and/or exacerbating the climate crisis. Different firms have different strategies when it comes to building an impact portfolio, Ellevest’s strategy is one example.
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3. Garden
Plant native, perennial plants & trees that give a lot to the ecology (supporting pollinators and wildlife) and don’t require your constant care and resources to thrive. A garden supports bees, birds, and other pollinators, whom of which we need to survive on earth. In addition, trees protect us from extreme heat, capture carbon, and mitigate storm water surges. A bird bath in your garden goes a long way too, and is rewarding to witness.
Don’t have garden space? Even a pot on your stoop or porch helps tremendously. Encourage garden and conservation projects around you. Notice and appreciate other gardens and natural landscapes when you have the opportunity. Nature is everywhere. You won’t regret stewarding the land where you live, it will give back in unimaginable ways.
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4. Donate and Engage
Support organizations that are doing creative, effective work by donating, volunteering, or simply staying informed. Mossy Earth is tackling the climate crisis in creative ways. They are exceptional at building partnerships, and their communication to donors and accountability is outstanding. You can give as little as $6.75/month to support their work.
There are specific and nuanced climate change issues in every community. Support organizations that address issues specific to your home and region. Here in Asheville, we support to Dogwood Alliance, Asheville Greenworks and Native Habitat Project.
And if you don’t see a need being addressed in your community, there are resources available to make it happen. Patagonia has a grant program for grassroots environmental action groups.
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5. Thrive Local
Walk or bike when possible. Shop local when possible. Get to know your neighbors. Notice the details around you - the change in seasons, the trees, bees, and flowers. If you want to take a step further, check out the book ‘Happy City’ by Charles Montgomery and learn how your community can be best designed for happiness and equity, while in turn making it a greener place to live.
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6. Learn
Climate & Earth:
Climate Solutions by Project Drawdown
How to Save the Planet with Dr. Ayana Johnson and Tim Ferris
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Gardening:
The Living Landscape by Rick Darke & Doug Tallamy
Contains glossary of best plants & trees for your region in the US
The Generosity of Meadows with Sustainable World Radio and Owen Wormser
Let Your Garden Grow Wild by Rebecca McMackin
Asheville Plant List by Asheville Greenworks
Thrive Local:
Nature is Everywhere by Emma Marris
Happy City by Charles Montgomery
Architect’s Hands: Designing Better Streets by Evelina Ozola
Our Better Nature with NPR and Kuo Ming
Together, Eddie and I rest in forests. We plunge into mountain water. Watch trees bloom. Listen as water folds around ancient river rocks. There is hope. Our amazing planet earth inspires me to be a part of the climate solution.