Last week we talked about the impact of gardens and how the National Horticultural Society (NHS) stated that if just half the population of the UK (approx. 30 million people) planted a tree and nurtured it to full grown, it would “store the carbon equivalent to driving around the planet 11.4 million times! .”  “By adding more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, people are supercharging the natural greenhouse effect, causing global temperature to rise”. For more information on Global Temperature see: understanding climate change.  So, what else can we do to combat climate change? Let’s look more at energy and transportation.

The United Nations (UN) has “Actions for a Healthy Planet”. They point out that the United States produces double the world average of greenhouse gas emissions per capita. So, while developers and architects work on creating Living Places with Living Buildings engulfed in greenery/biophilic design and entire cities where everyone is able to commute by bike or walk, like can be found in the Netherlands – maybe if the rest of us can do our part to make a difference.  Just like the NHS’s example, even small changes can add up to make a big impact.

Where to start? Well, the UN suggests that we can change our utility source from oil and gas to solar or wind. Check with your utility company for a renewable source plan. Even in Florida, which has a pretty anti-progressive reputation, there is the FPL Solar Together program. Or you can get your own energy panels and sell the extra energy back to the grid – eventually making up for the upfront cost of the panels. There are also home windmills or turbines that you can put on your rooftop or in your yard or garden. These both may be future options because they require a high initial investment and may not be useful to all areas due to wind or sun limitations.

The UN also suggests reducing home energy consumption with LED lights, energy efficient appliances, using cold water for laundry, and hanging clothes instead of using the dryer.  You can also take steps such as, unplugging electronics and taking shorter or cooler showers. For example, Mitsubishi Mini-splits tout “no greenhouse gas emissions”, also “160-390% more efficient” and  “reduce electricity use by 65%”. Furthermore, some changes can earn you some tax credits with the Inflation Reduction Act in the US.  And in Canada, they provide The Canada Greener Homes Grants to homeowners for energy efficient renovations such as home insulation, windows, doors, heat pumps, and renewable energy systems.

As far as transportation solutions, I always dream of living somewhere that I can walk, bike, or take public transportation and one day I hope to move to one of those beautiful places but for now I live in a place that most people would just drop dead in the heat trying to get from one place to another. So, I have an electric car which I plug into my house where I am part of the power company’s solar program. Some other more universally achievable solutions may be carpooling, planning fewer trips, and combining errands.  Also, we can actively encourage our city governments, towns, and neighborhoods to plant more trees and to encourage biophilic Living Buildings/Places architecture and remodeling.  That would create more shade with plants that clean and cool the air, streets, sidewalks, and bike paths while capturing carbon.  Then we could walk and bike more to combat climate change.

Does anyone have examples of success stories? Any examples of towns that have been transformed by a community project to combat climate change? For example, the nations oldest town of Saint Augustine, Florida is getting rid of some of it’s black tar streets and replacing them with brick streets which don’t get as hot in the sun and the water can pass through to go back to the water table. Uncemented brick also reduces runoff and flooding and can be used for driveways and sidewalks, as well. The city is also planning on planting more trees along pedestrian walkways and streets. Flooding is a very big problem in the city. Hurricanes and flooding used to occur far less frequently but climate change has increased major weather events considerably. (As I sit here writing this, a hurricane is passing by). The city seems to be falling short of creating designated bike lanes. They did have bike share program but it went bankrupt.  Car parking is encouraged to stay in the periphery of the city.  People are being provided with free public buses that circle the city and even take people out to the beaches and back. The reduction in automotive traffic in town will reduce pollution and parking all along the streets which is ugly and inhibits pedestrian ways. Feel free to share any positive projects!

A Call to Action! Well, I hope everyone will implement some of these tips and just think about some of the things you are already doing! That’s terrific! Also, take some time to research your local initiatives. Maybe volunteer or just spread the word and give support to those who are Combating Climate Change!  Let’s all work together toward a more sustainable future that is more comfortable and welcoming for all living things!