There are many environmental issues facing our planet that cannot be solved by individual actions alone. Successful environmental actions require individual, local, regional, national and international actions completed simultaneously. Below we have compiled a list of several potential actions you can take as an individual but remember that we must all work together to build stabilize the planet future for generations to come.
You can learn about events happening around Earth Day, here.
Community
-Continue to learn about environmental issues, we have compiled a list of resources that we use with our youth internship program.
–Frequently and openly discuss environmental issues, especially climate change. We cannot fix a problem that we do not admits exists.
-Volunteer for an environmental organization you feel passionately about. Activism can help alleviate climate despair. If you would like to volunteer with the Methow Valley Citizens Council please email us at mvcc@mvcitizens.org.
-Get to know your neighbors. Building a resilient community with strong social bonds is key to surviving climate-intensified natural disasters.
-Continue to learn about the intersectional nature of the climate crisis and how it impacts communities within your locality and around the world.
-Uplift the voices of and advocate for individuals and communities who will be most impacted by the climate crisis. Recognize that the climate crisis will not impact communities equally and communities of color and low-income communities will be disproportionately impacted.
-Take care of your mental and physical health. Individuals actions cannot solve the climate crisis alone, it is okay if you slip up from time to time.
Advocacy
Ensuring that comprehensive environmental reforms are made into local, state, national and international policy is critical to protecting our plants health, and our health.
-Call, write, email and/or visit your representatives and senators (state and national) to advocate for environmental legislation
-Vote for and support candidates that acknowledge the climate crisis is an existential threat to humanity and advocate for aggressive climate policy
A consortium of local businesses, producers, and agencies are in the midst of a year-long process to develop a Climate Action Plan for the Methow Valley. This plan will address how our local community can both adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts locally. This non-binding plan is an example of our community banding together and creating a vision for our valley’s future, together. Support this effort and consider becoming a member of Methow Valley Citizens Council if you’re not already!
Support the Washington State Legislature in 2021.
Contact your local legislatures, here.
Sign up for updates on environmental legislation through the Environmental Priorities Coalition.
–Tell Congress to protect conservation funding preserving land and waters, safeguarding endangered species, protecting our cities and public health and reducing risks from extreme weather events. Contact your congressional reps, here.
-Tell your representatives to repeal the Trump Administration’s rollbacks on both vehicle emission standards and to reinstate the Clean Power Plan. For more info on these regulations, visit: National Resource Defense Council’s website, Environmental Defense Fund’s Website.
Financial
One of the simplest and biggest ways to make an impact on your personal contribution to the climate crisis comes down to your pocket book.
-Buy locally made goods and produce. Participate in the Spend a Ben campaign, organized by the Methow Conservancy and Twispworks: https://www.spendabenmethow.org/
-Switch to an ethical bank and/or credit union. Big banks like Chase are some of the largest financiers of the climate crisis, switching to locally owned banks and/or credit unions ensures that you are not helping finance fossil fuel infrastructure projects.
-Give to organizations that act on climate change like the Methow Valley Citizens Council, Got Green, 350.org
-Do not support companies that do not have climate policies in place.
–Divest your stock portfolio from companies that contribute to the climate crisis and/or finance fossil fuel projects
-Support the Methow Valley Citizens Council Give Big Campaign
Food
-Buy products with less packaging and/or recyclable packaging
–Eat mostly plants and when you do eat meat prioritize purchasing high-quality locally made meat
-Reduce food waste, and donate extra food in your pantry
-Learn the difference between “sell-by, ‘use-by’, ‘best-by’ and expiration dates”
-Use carbon farming principles in your yard and garden
Waste
–Repair, reuse or borrow items before purchasing new items
–Recycle and thrown away items as a last resort. Prioritize repairing and reusing items first.
-Reduce food and yard waste by establishing a home composting system
–Reduce usage of single-use plastics and plastic items in general
-Build towards a zero waste lifestyle
Home
-Utilize Firewise practices on your property
-Plant drought tolerant and native species when designing landscapes around your home
Transportation
Please be aware that transportation recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may not be advised during the Covid-19 crisis. Please abide by your state’s public health guidelines.
-Ride a bike or walk instead of driving when making short trips
–Utilize public transportation
–Take fewer flights per year if possible
-Carpool as frequently as possible
-Switch to an electric vehicle
Energy
–Cut energy use. Turn off lights, use turn-off power strips and unplug all appliances that you are not using.
-Ensure you are using burnwise practices with your wood-burning stove. See if you qualify for our Woodstove Buyback Program.
-If you are on electric heat set the thermostat to 68°F or lower when you’re at home and awake, and lower 7°F to 10°F when you’re asleep or away. Or install a programmable thermostat.
-Turn down your water heater to 120°F or the “low” setting.
-Use weather-stripping or door sweeps to reduce heat loss and drafts.
-Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when full.
-Using a ceiling fan to circulate air can lower both your cooling and heating costs (counterclockwise recirculates warm air).
-Do an energy audit and find ways to save energy and money.
-Power up with solar energy.
-Find and use efficiency and renewable incentives
-Purchase green power – check with your utility on green power programs. (PUD and OCEC)