Jeremy Wick

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 plan ahead to use paper products only made from post-consumer recycled paper for my home or office.

I will spend at least 10 minutes learning how to properly dispose of my refrigerator, freezer, and other refrigerants at the end of their useful lives.

I will explore the interactive map in the links below to find a supermarket that does not use HFC refrigerants near my home.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about carbon offsets, and why they are a necessary solution in combating a climate crisis.

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

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

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will research and recycle all materials that are accepted by local haulers or drop stations in my community, including electronics and metals.

I will reduce the amount of paper mail that I receive by 0.11lbs (0.05kg) a day or 3.3lbs (1.6kg) a month by opting into paperless billing, ending unwanted subscriptions, and opting out of junk mail.

I will avoid buying and using 3 single-use plastics and instead replace them with durable options.

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

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

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 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 reduce the amount of water flushed and save up to 11 gallons (41 L) of water a day or 330 gallons (1,230 L) a month by installing a toilet tank bank.

I will save up to 15 gallons (56 L) of water a day or 450 gallons (1,680 L) a month by installing a low-flow showerhead.

I will spend 30 minutes finding out how to make my home more energy efficient through better insulation and weatherization.

I will source 5 percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmer's market, visiting a food co-op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients.

I will spend at least 15 minutes watching videos and/or reading about the environmental benefits of silvopasture.

I will spend 25 minutes learning about the climate impact of refrigerants and what climate-friendly refrigerants are by using the links below.

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 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 calculate the carbon emissions associated with my household and consider how different lifestyle choices could reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the environment.