Climate change what I can do

{{whyLabel}}: You cannot effectively reduce what you haven't measured; a baseline helps you target the highest-emission areas of your specific lifestyle.

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• Use the WWF Footprint Calculator or the Global Footprint Network tool for 2025 data accuracy.
• Gather your last 12 months of utility bills and estimated annual mileage.
• Note the top three categories (e.g., Food, Travel, Home) where your impact is highest.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a specific CO2e tonnage number and a list of your top 3 impact areas.

{{whyLabel}}: Switching to renewable energy is the single most impactful home action, potentially saving up to 2.5 tons of CO2 per year.

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• Look for providers with EKOenergy or Green-e certification to ensure they actually invest in new renewable capacity.
• Avoid 'greenwashed' tariffs that only buy cheap carbon offsets without changing the energy mix.
• Use a comparison site to find a 100% wind, solar, or hydro-based plan.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Your new energy contract is signed and confirmed as 100% renewable.

{{whyLabel}}: LED technology uses at least 75% less energy and lasts 25 times longer than traditional bulbs, providing an immediate reduction in electricity demand.

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• Count all active bulbs in your home, including closets and outdoor lights.
• Purchase LEDs with a high Lumen-per-Watt ratio (look for 100+ lm/W).
• Dispose of old bulbs at a proper recycling center, especially if they contain mercury (CFLs).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Every light fixture in your home contains an LED bulb.

{{whyLabel}}: Water heating accounts for roughly 18% of home energy use; reducing hot water volume directly cuts your gas or electricity consumption.

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• Select a showerhead with a flow rate of 1.75 GPM (gallons per minute) or less.
• Use Teflon tape on the threads to prevent leaks.
• Aim for a 'nebulizing' or 'aerating' model to maintain water pressure while using less volume.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The new showerhead is installed and tested for leaks.

{{whyLabel}}: Ruminant animals produce methane, a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than CO2 over 20 years; cutting beef alone can save 1.5 tons of CO2 annually.

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• Replace beef in recipes with lentils, mushrooms, or high-protein legumes.
• If you still eat meat, switch to poultry or pork, which have significantly lower footprints.
• Read 'The Carbon Footprint of Everything' by Mike Berners-Lee for specific food comparisons.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have completed 30 consecutive days without consuming beef or lamb.

{{whyLabel}}: A vegan or vegetarian diet can reduce your food-related emissions by up to 46%, but planning is essential to ensure nutritional balance (B12, Vitamin D).

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• Focus on the Planetary Health Diet (EAT-Lancet Commission) which emphasizes whole grains and legumes.
• Include at least 3 nights of entirely vegan meals.
• Use seasonal produce to reduce 'food miles' and greenhouse heating emissions.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A written 7-day menu is posted on your fridge.

{{whyLabel}}: Food waste in landfills produces methane; composting allows organic matter to decompose aerobically, significantly reducing its climate impact.

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• Choose a system: a worm bin (vermicompost) for apartments or a backyard tumbler for houses.
• Balance 'greens' (nitrogen-rich food scraps) with 'browns' (carbon-rich paper/leaves).
• Avoid putting meat, dairy, or oils in basic home compost bins.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Your first batch of food scraps is successfully added to a functioning bin.

{{whyLabel}}: Reducing packaging at the source eliminates the energy-intensive manufacturing and recycling processes of plastics and glass.

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• Bring your own clean glass jars and cloth bags.
• Buy staples like grains, pasta, and detergents in bulk.
• Check the link below to find the nearest location.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have completed one full grocery trip without acquiring new plastic packaging.

{{whyLabel}}: Drafts can account for up to 30% of heating and cooling costs; sealing them is the most cost-effective way to improve thermal efficiency.

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• Use a 'smoke pencil' or a lit incense stick to find air leaks around frames.
• Apply weatherstripping to door gaps and caulk to stationary window cracks.
• Install a door sweep at the bottom of exterior doors.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: No visible air movement is detected around sealed windows/doors during a draft test.

{{whyLabel}}: Optimizing heating/cooling schedules can reduce HVAC energy use by 10-15% by avoiding heating an empty home.

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• Choose a model with geofencing (adjusts based on your phone's location).
• Set the 'Away' temperature to 7-10°F (4-5°C) different from your 'Home' temperature.
• Program a lower temperature for sleeping hours.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The thermostat is installed and a 7-day schedule is programmed.

{{whyLabel}}: Most water heaters are set higher than necessary; lowering it prevents 'standby' heat loss and saves energy without affecting comfort.

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• Locate the thermostat dial on your water heater (often behind a small panel).
• Turn it down to the 120°F mark.
• This also extends the life of your water heater by reducing mineral buildup.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The water temperature at the tap measures approximately 120°F.

{{whyLabel}}: Replacing short car trips with cycling is a high-impact habit change that eliminates tailpipe emissions and reduces road congestion.

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• Use a cycling-specific map (like Komoot or Strava) to find low-traffic paths.
• Perform a 'dry run' on a weekend to check for safety and timing.
• Ensure you have a secure place to lock your bike at your destination.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have successfully cycled to your workplace or frequent destination once.

{{whyLabel}}: Take-off and landing are the most carbon-intensive parts of a flight; for distances under 500km, trains are significantly more efficient.

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• Identify your common travel destinations within a 6-hour train radius.
• Use 'The Man in Seat 61' website to find international rail connections.
• Pledge to use rail or coach for all trips where the journey is under 8 hours.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have booked your next regional trip via train instead of plane.

{{whyLabel}}: How you drive can change your fuel efficiency by up to 25%; smoother driving reduces both emissions and tire wear (microplastics).

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• Accelerate gently and maintain a steady speed.
• Use engine braking (downshifting) instead of heavy foot braking where safe.
• Remove unnecessary weight from the trunk and check tire pressure monthly.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have monitored your MPG/fuel consumption for one month and seen an improvement.

{{whyLabel}}: Your money in a traditional bank often funds fossil fuel expansion; moving it to a 'Green Bank' ensures your capital supports the transition.

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• Check your current bank on Banking on Climate Chaos or Ethical Consumer.
• Choose a bank that is B Corp certified or a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV).
• Open the new account first, then move direct deposits before closing the old one.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Your primary checking account is held at a certified sustainable institution.

{{whyLabel}}: For many, their largest financial asset is their pension, which is often heavily invested in oil and gas without their knowledge.

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• Contact your pension provider and ask for their 'Sustainable' or 'ESG' (Environmental, Social, Governance) fund options.
• Specifically ask if they have a 'Fossil Free' fund that excludes coal, oil, and gas.
• Use the Make My Money Matter guide for 2025 to find template letters for your employer.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Your retirement contributions are officially moved to a fossil-free fund.

{{whyLabel}}: Individual action is vital, but policy change scales impact; politicians need to know their constituents prioritize climate legislation.

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• Identify one specific local issue (e.g., better bike lanes, building insulation subsidies).
• Keep the letter concise, personal, and polite.
• Ask for a specific action or vote on an upcoming bill.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have sent the letter (email or post) and received a tracking number or confirmation.