Sarah Kelly

While global and national actions get a lot of attention, it’s often at the local community level where individuals can have the greatest input and where change is most tangible. But every community is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I will spend 20 minutes finding out how my neighborhood, town or city is helping the environment and building local resilience.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of geothermal energy and consider investing in this technology.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of wave and tidal energy.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of micro wind.

I will contact the fossil fuel companies that supply energy in my community and ask how they manage and reduce methane leakage.

I will write or call 3 elected officials telling them not to support fossil fuel subsidies and instead support wind energy generation.

I will complete a plastics audit to see where plastics show up in my life and determine how I can reduce the use of single-use plastics.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option. If my utility does not offer one, I will purchase Renewable Energy Credits to match my usage.

I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food.

I will only purchase wood and paper products from ecologically certified sources like Forest Stewardship Council.

I will use my spending power to reward companies leading in creating or purchasing green energy and incentivize others to invest more in green energy.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning more about the energy generation potential of biomass.

I will contact a local installer/distributor to see if a solar water heater makes sense for my house.

Using Drawdown's Job Function Action Guide, I will learn about climate actions I can take at work.

I will practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding 1 cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day.