[Nestor Chayelle] How You Can Stop Global Warming

The solution starts in your garage, in your kitchen, In your home.

Nations around the world are fighting against climate change. At the Paris climate summit in 2015, 195 countries signed a historic agreement to reduce carbon emissions.

“Change only happens when individuals take action,” Aliya Haq, deputy director of NRDC’s Clean Power Plan initiative, says. “There’s no other way if it doesn’t start with people.”

Carbon dioxide is the worst enemy. It’s released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy—the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving money. Here are some effective ways each one of us can make a difference:

Speak up!

What’s the single biggest way you can make an impact on global climate change? “Talk to your friends and family, and make sure your representatives are making good decisions,” Haq says. By voicing your concerns—via social media—you send a message that you care about the warming world.

Use renewable energy in your house.

Using renewable energy to power your home can reduce or completely eliminate your utility bills, and the tax incentives for installing renewables can make them, even more, cost effective.

Invest in energy-efficient appliances.

When shopping for refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances, look for the Energy Star label. It will tell you which are the most efficient.

Eat the food—throw less away.

Approximately 10 percent of energy use goes into growing, processing, packaging, and shipping food. “If you’re wasting less food, you’re likely cutting down on energy consumption,” Haq says. And since livestock products are among the most resource-intensive to produce, eating meat-free meals can make a big difference, too.

Use LED bulbs.

LED light bulbs use up to 80 percent less energy than conventional incandescent. They’re also cheaper in the long run.

Drive a fuel-efficient car.

Gas-smart cars, such as hybrids and fully electric vehicles, save fuel and money. Before you buy a new set of wheels, compare fuel-economy performance.

Keep your tires optimal.

If we kept their tires properly inflated, we could say 1.2 billion gallons of gas each year. A simple tune-up can boost miles per gallon anywhere from 4 percent to 40 percent.

-Nestor Chayelle