World-Climate Day Challenge from Lowell’s Climate Club

Scientists measure the amount of carbon in the air in parts per million (ppm), and they have identified a tipping point of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere. Once we pass this point (somewhere between 425 and 450ppm), we will cause permanent ecological devastation. Last year, Earth’s carbon stood at 409ppm, and this month we are at 412!

We are dangerously close to the point of no return. Luckily, there is so much we can do! Here are some of the actions that we, Lowell’s Climate Club, personally take, and we challenge you to join us!

1. Replace all your incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency LEDs and fluorescents. It saves 80-90% of energy!
2. Reuse containers. All plastic containers are made with oil and use fossil fuels in their production.
3. Shop less. Most everything you buy was created in a factory using fossil fuels and transported by vehicles running on fossil fuels.
4. Choose renewable energy. Even if you don’t have solar on your home, PEPCO allows you to buy into its renewable wind and solar co-ops.
5. Vacation close to home; cut the airplane trips and long car rides.
6. Electrify! Replace your gas stove, heater, water heater, and car with electric ones.
7. Eat a plant-rich diet and eat locally grown in-season foods. A plant-rich diet reduces the greenhouse gases emitted by animals and also the carbon released in the transportation process.

Which of these can you do? The people around you notice the choices you make—we are all influencers! If we make climate-positive choices in our own lives and encourage others to do so, the impacts on the Earth can add up. Let us know what climate action you are taking and follow us on Twitter @ClimateClubDC.