The team at U.S. Light Energy is committed to fighting climate change and ending greenhouse gas emissions. For us, every day is an opportunity to make a difference.
Today, however, is Earth Day! A day dedicated to environmental education and action worldwide. For over 50 years, Earth Day has been a focal point of both the fight against global climate change, and the movement toward a zero-carbon future. Its an opportunity for everyone to take action on the local, national, and even on the global level.
There are so many ways for you to get involved that deciding what to do can be a daunting task. So we’ve put together a few suggestions for you.
Make a financial contribution to an organization whose mission includes the fight against global climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, or other environmental advocacy goals:
Earthjustice.org – Earthjustice is the United States’ largest non-profit environmental law organization. They’re dedicated to leveraging unrivaled legal expertise toward litigating environmental issues.
350.org – International environmental organization 350.org is dedicated to combating climate change by reducing the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide concentration to the safe level of 350 parts per million. (We currently sit at 400 parts per million.)
The Alliance for the Great Lakes – The Alliance for the Great Lakes is the oldest environmental organization fighting to restore and protect the world’s largest freshwater resource: the American Great Lakes.
The National Park Foundation – https://www.nationalparks.org/ – The National Park Foundation is the official non-profit partner and charity for the entire United States National Park Service.
Oceana – Oceana is a non-profit dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans.
The Union of Concerned Scientists – Formed in 1969 by faculty and students of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Union of Concerned Scientists is a non-profit science advocacy organization dedicated to the lofty goal of making the planet a healthier and safer world.
Vote Solar – Vote Solar has a mission of bringing solar energy to the mainstream, by advocating for solar energy policy reform at the state level.
The National Resource Defense Council – The NRDC the grassroots power of 1.4 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals
The Sierra Club Foundation – The Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States.
Volunteer your time with an organization that promotes environmental advocacy, and fight climate change, including:
Habitat for Humanity – Habitat for Humanity is well known for building simple, affordable homes for people in need. But recently the organization has implemented new programs recognizing climate change as a major threat to the environment and which can destroy the homes they build. If you’re looking for a hands-on volunteer experience setting up wall frames and installing storm panels on windows, a position with Habitat for Humanity is the job for you.
American Rivers – American Rivers works to create a future of clean water and healthy rivers everywhere, for everyone by protecting wild rivers, restoring damaged rivers and conserving clean water for people and nature.
The Sunrise Movement – The Sunrise Movement is a movement to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process.
Keep America Beautiful – Keep America Beautiful inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment.
Your State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) – Most state DECs list a variety of volunteer opportunities, including the NY State DEC, which offers volunteer opportunities throughout the state, such as grooming and clearing of hiking and snowmobiling trails on state owned lands; assisting the wildlife biologists in studying or releasing game; assisting Environmental Educators at the DEC’s Environmental Education Centers as instructors, greeters, assistant naturalists, gardeners, and more.
Take civic action by signing a petition promoting environmental issues, including:
Join Earthjustice.org in telling your elected official that its time to act on climate change.
President Biden and his new administration need to hear from you: Take executive action to end the era of fossil fuel production, protect communities reeling from the climate and COVID-19 crises, and #BuildBackFossilFree, at https://buildbackfossilfree.org/
Tell the White House We Need Bold, Ambitious Climate Action by asking President Biden commit to the most ambitious emissions reductions possible.
Join Earthday.org in encouraging environmental and climate education to ensure that students across the world benefit from high-quality education to develop into informed and engaged environmental stewards, at https://www.earthday.org/campaign/climate-environmental-literacy/
Act local. Even small, individual actions can make a huge difference:
Plant something. A tree, a plant, a vegetable garden
Commit to using reusable bags
Drink tap water instead of bottled water
Explore your local parks
Switch to paperless billing
Pick up litter in your local community and dispose of it properly
Make a commitment to recycle or reduce your own carbon footprint
Educate and entertain yourself and your family with one of these great resources:
How to Give Up Plastic by Will McCallum
Don’t Even Think About It by George Marshall
Read The Lorax or The Magic School Bus with your children
Watch An Inconvenient Truth, at https://www.amazon.com/Inconvenient-Truth-Al-Gore/dp/B000KZ3BWE
Watch Jonathan Scott’s Power Trip, at https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/jonathan-scotts-power-trip/
Watch Wall-E with your family.