Climate Change

Joining Forces and Resolving to Fight Climate Change

Amber on January 23, 2012 10 Comments
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Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the world today. In fact, it may be the most pressing issue. As the evidence mounts, and the scientific community reaches a strong consensus that our actions are affecting the average temperature of the planet we live on, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the reality of what’s happening. The time has come to act. This is why, for the month of January, the Green Moms Carnival has decided to join our voices together to speak out and share what we’re doing to fight climate change.

When we’re faced with these big, overwhelming issues, it’s easy to feel paralyzed. That’s why it’s so important to join with others. When we all do what we can, it begins to add up, and really make a difference. Since it’s still January, we’re all sharing what we’re doing to fight climate change and reduce our own carbon footprints in 2012. Maybe, as you read what the Green Moms are doing, you’ll be inspired to make some changes of your own, too.

Food and Carbon Footprint

Linda at Citizen Green has resolved to Cut Out the Food Waste in 2012. She’s meal-planning, buying in bulk, composting and using leftovers, in order to reduce her carbon footprint. Did you know that 25% of the food grown in the US ends up getting thrown out? If you want to tackle your own food waste, read Linda’s post for tips.

Beth at My Plastic Free Life is trying out Recipes for the Semi-Vegan, Plastic-Free Lifestyle. By reducing her consumption of animal products, and avoiding plastic packaging, Beth is reducing the carbon footprint of her food and fighting climate change.

Abbie, a.k.a. Farmer’s Daughter, is sharing Five Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint by Choosing Real Food. Instead of opting for packaged and processed food, she’s cooking from scratch. Fewer food miles and less packaging are just two of the ways her choice is fighting climate change.

Deanna Duke, author of The Non-Toxic Avenger and blogger at Crunchy Chicken, has some lofty Urban Homestead Goals for 2012. She’s going in on a pig share, raising meat rabbits and joining a honey CSA, among other things. In the process she’ll reduce her food miles, and her carbon footprint.

Brenna at Almost all the Truth is also making food-based Resolutions to Fight Climate Change. She suggests reducing the amount of animal products you consume by observing Meatless Monday or Vegan Thursday, and reducing your food miles by eating local. Both will reduce your carbon footprint.

Image credit – tarsandsaction on Flickr

Getting Political for the Planet

Mary of In Women we Trust is making a Business Climate Change Resolution. She’s working hard to create real change. My favourite part is when she writes, “I resolve to stop referring to our business leaders as ‘leaders’ unless they truly are taking a leadership position.” Preach it, sister.

I didn’t write a post of my own for this carnival, but my resolution is to take more political action to fight climate change. For me this means writing letters, using my voice here on this blog and elsewhere, and joining groups that are fighting climate change. I want to make sure my elected representatives know how I feel.

Diane at Big Green Purse suggests Making a Big Hairy Audacious Green Goal for 2012. This is something significant and measurable. Her One in a Million campaign is urging people to shift $1000 of their annual spending to greener products and services. That sounds both audacious and awesome to me!

Harriet the Climate Mama is Fighting Climate Change with Facts in 2012. She’ll be speaking out, leading by example, and even testifying before Congress. Harriet protested in front of the White House against the Keystone Pipeline in 2011, so she’s already been making herself heard and taking political action to fight climate change.

In fact, Lynn at Organic Mania watched Harriet as she was arrested, and her post about Resolving to Fight Climate Change shares the account. She reminds us that together, we can accomplish so much.

Lisa at Retro Housewife Goes Green is making Green Resolutions for 2012. She’s been very vocal in her home community, working to promote local recycling and bringing awareness to cement kiln pollution. Her advocacy work is not only fighting climate change, it’s helping to protect the health of her neighbours, too.

Being Mindful

It’s probably no surprise that Micaela the Mindful Momma is writing about Being Mindful. She’s taking care of the planet, her community, her family’s health and herself. She’s trying to create a green and healthy life, which will certainly reduce her carbon footprint.

Karen at Best of Mother Earth is also making Resolutions to Fight Climate Change that involve being more mindful. She’s championing pause and choice, saying, “A lifestyle of less is more. In the end this produces less waste and we are healthier!” I agree.

Jenn of The Green Parent is making New Year’s Resolutions for 2012 that involve mindfulness, as well, including listening more and holding the guilt. She’s also planning to spend more time on Facebook, connecting with other green moms. Community is so important!

Image credit – Jacob & Kiki Hantla on Flickr

Resolving to Fight Climate Change

Stephanie at Good Girl Gone Green has tips for Reducing Your Carbon Car Print. The time we spend driving plays a big part in how much carbon we emit, and she has ideas for cutting back. For example, by keeping your car serviced and reducing your idling time, you can help fight climate change.

Jen at Puddle Jumping in DC has a novel idea – Green Your Cycle with Reusable Menstrual Products. Cloth pads and menstrual cups are actually easier to use than you might think. I’ve been using them for years myself, and I’m a convert.

Lori at Groovy Green Livin’ is sharing Four Resolutions to Fight Climate Change. From choosing zero VOC paint in a renovation to getting a home energy audit, she’s working hard to reduce her carbon footprint.

Betsy the Eco-novice has made five Climate Change Resolutions. She’s cancelling catalogues, turning off power strips and more, in order to reduce her personal carbon footprint.

The bloggers at The Green Phone Booth are also joining forces and Changing for Climate Change. Their resolutions range from being sure to remember reusable bags at the grocery store to reducing energy use to moving from environmentalism to activism. Once again, working together reaps big rewards for the planet.

As you can see, fighting climate change can involve taking small private steps to big political actions. It doesn’t matter so much what you do, though. What really matters is that you do something. Take a look at your life, and see what steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and fight climate change. The time has come to stand up, speak out, and act – if not for ourselves, then for our children.

How are you fighting climate change in 2012?

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