From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: Four Ways Americans Can Pay Heed to Global Warming and Take Action

Whether you like to call it global warming or climate change, there is little doubt that the Earth is getting hotter. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to minimize your impact on the changing climate. While these changes may be minor ones, they may have a major impact on how much energy you use and how much carbon you put into the atmosphere.

Start at Home

One of the best things that you can do is to use as many electric tools as possible. Instead of using a lawn mower or trimmer powered by gas, use one that is powered by electricity instead. In addition to using less gas, you also use less oil that can get into the water supply. Other ideas may include using LED lights or replacing your gas furnace with a heat pump.

Get Your Friends and Neighbors Involved

By starting a neighborhood carpool, you can reduce the number of cars that it takes to get to work or to school. It may also be a good idea to convince your friends or neighbors to use ridesharing services instead of using their own vehicles to reduce the number of cars on the road. You may also want to let others know about possible tax credits for upgrading their homes or taking other actions to reduce their carbon footprint.

Get a Degree in Environmental Law

Going to college to study environmental issues will make you more of an authority on the issue. Earning a degree in environmental law enables you to influence laws and legislation regarding the environment. This means that you are going to be able to create solutions to problems that exist based on facts and research. It may also make it easier for you to speak on the issue without being dismissed as a quack or sympathetic to big government.

Share Scientific Literature on Social Media

There are a lot of people who think that global warming is a scam or some sort of conspiracy to ruin the American economy. By sharing scientific literature, you can start to educate deniers about the issue and how it could have a profound impact on their own lives. While it may take time to change people’s minds, it is important to put that work in.

Global warming is not going to go away just because someone doesn’t believe in it. As there may not be much time left to reverse its effects, it is important to start making people aware of the problems that it can cause both today and in the long-term.