My mom always told me never to talk about politics or religion in mixed company. But if you want to combat climate change, you must consider politics. Government policies, programs, and departments control large movements in favor or against the environment. Last week we looked at several countries who have taken on climate change by preserving their natural areas, protecting biodiversity, and making sure their natural resources are unpolluted. 

Even departments that you think are set up to protect the environment are only a representative of the larger governments.  For example, The Florida Environmental Protection Agency under Governor Ron DeSantis has decided to take lands that were set aside to protect the natural biodiversity, such as mangroves and sea turtle nesting grounds, and develop them into commercial places. See How You Can Help Protect Nine Florida Parks from Proposed Development 

Supporting government representatives that believe in climate change is the minimum requirement. The League of Conservation Voters is a good resource.  They can help you make good political choices and show you how you can get involved to make yourself a means to combating climate change. 

Supporting groups that may have sway in getting laws passed to protect the environment, is another way. The Environmental Defense Fund  is one such organization that has been fighting through the courts to defend environmental laws, “protect human health, safety, and a sustainable environment”  (edf.org/legal)

Finally, supporting organizations that have novel plans to move forward and make changes for combating climate change is next. The Nature Conservancy is an organization that educates and actively buys lands to protect. They combat climate change directly through purchasing and protecting nature. They have a wonderful video that explains their process as  A Natural Solution to Climate Change .  They state, that “by protecting natural habitats and carefully managing farmland and forests, we can store billions of tons of this living carbon.” In their video, they also mention how mangroves, like the ones that the Florida EPA are threatening, remove 5 times more carbon from the atmosphere than trees on land.  

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has saved “over 15 million hectares of ecologically significant land” across Canada.  They call it permanent land conservation! I love it! They have partnered with the Canadian government “through the Natural Areas Conservation Program and now through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program” (NCC: Government) to protect Canada’s landscapes. They look for Nature Based Solutions to combat “biodiversity loss and climate change.” Ecosystem restoration is a critical next step, following the conservation effort and the NCC has conserved habitat for at least 236 at risk species in Canada, so far!

We can start small by supporting good organizations and spending our money on things that don’t harm the environment, such as, organic groceries, glass instead of plastic, biodegradable and non-toxic products. These items touch every part of our lives. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a great resource for examining the ingredients of many such items. They even have “EWG’s quick tips for reducing your diet’s climate footprint”. They recommend reducing or eliminating pesticides on your food by buying organic and how supporting farming and agriculture practices that are sustainable can combat climate change. They talk about alternatives to meat and dairy to both improve human health and combat climate change, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.  Also, how we can push (or vote) for regulations that assure us clean food, air, and water. They want to help farmers learn sustainable practices and help people make safer and healthier choices for themselves and the world.

So, through educated choices we can put our support, energy, and what money we can, behind good people and good organizations that are willing and able to make good changes for our future. Combating climate change is a global effort that starts at the individual and community level and goes all the way up to the government and the globe. Our little choices can make a big impact!