ACT NOW, where it matters most
The three biggest contributors to climate change right here in the Bay Area are from our transportation, our buildings & the energy we use, and our food & food waste.
The good news is that the solutions already exist. Here are just a few to get started:
Transportation
How we get around, and how we move our "stuff" contributes of our regional greenhouse gases.
Here are things you can do right now:
If you're traveling, use "carbon offsets". It's a good way to help protect the planet from the unavoidable emissions from jet engines. Check out these preflight tips before you check in for your next flight.
If we all make these small changes we can put a dent in our transportation emissions
If you're close enough to walk or bike from work or home, you're sparing the air and getting healthier, too.
If you use ride sharing apps, request an EV next time.
MAKE CHANGES TO HOW YOU GET AROUND
Cars are convenient but any vehicle that uses gasoline adds pollution to the air we breathe. Most of our trips, especially these days, are relatively local, and small changes can add up. Consider these alternatives:
If you can take public transit and carpool more, that's great. While public transit options don't work for everyone, the Bay Area does have multiple ways to get around. Besides BART, CalTrain, and the SMART train, there are ferries and 19 bus systems in the Bay Area.
Learn more about your transit options at Traveler Services and 511.org.
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Once you've taken these simple steps you're on your way. What's next?
Energy & Buildings
The energy used in our buildings contributes about of our regional greenhouse gas emissions.
If we all make these small changes, it won't be just a drop in the bucket
Here are things you can do right now:
If we use less, we pay less.
The simplest thing we can all do is remember to turn off the lights, our computers, the games and the stereo, and any appliance that does not NEED to be on. Use a power strip to turn off several things with the flick of one switch and at the same time protect them from power surges.
If we use less electricity from 4-9 PM every day, we'll hit the "savings sweet spot"
Energy demand is high from 4-9 PM, and less clean energy is available then. You can save more money by remembering that electricity is expensive between 4 and 9 PM. Doing the laundry and using the dishwasher can wait until after 9 PM - or until tomorrow morning.
If we don't waste water, we'll save both money and a precious resource.
Pumping water uses an enormous amount of energy. Turn off the tap, don't let water run, and use water-saving faucet aerators. What else?
Do most of your laundry on the "COLD" cycle, water plants during
the coolest times of the day, run your dishwasher only when it's full.
Once you've taken these simple steps you're on your way. What's next?
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USE ENERGY EFFICIENTLY & SAVE MONEY
Food & Food Waste
Wasted food is the contributor to global greenhouse gases, mostly in the form of methane. Really.
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Here are things you can do right now:
SAVE MONEY BY BUYING ONLY WHAT YOU WILL EAT
If you buy only what you'll eat, you'll throw out less, you'll save money, and there won't be any more science projects in the back of your refrigerator!
If you typically don't finish leftovers, try preparing less food to begin with.
"If food can be saved, we'll save it."
Imperfect Foods delivers right to your door: fresh, often organic, and often cheaper than grocery store prices.
You decide what you want and place your order. Perfect!
EAT A PLANT-RICH DIET
If cattle were their own nation, they would be the world’s third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and it's not just "cow burps", but how they're raised, grazed, and sent to market.
If you don't want to give up meat entirely, consider eating more vegetables anyway, and just a little less meat. Try a "Meatless Monday", and buy meat that is raised humanely & sustainably.
Once you've taken these simple steps you're on your way. What's next?
If we all make these small changes, we'll be healthier, and the cows will thank us, too.