Reduce or eliminate air travel

Go car-free (one or two days a week to start):

• 1. Take public transportation
  2. Ride a bike
  3. Walk to get errands
  4. Work from home

When you trade in or buy a car:

1. 1. Switch to an electric vehicle
   2. Switch to a hybrid vehicle
   3. Switch to an alternative fuel vehicle
   4. Switch to a more efficient vehicle

Miscellaneous

1. 1. Batch driving for errands to reduce trips and miles driven
   2. Carpool to work
   3. Practice eco driving (De/Accelerate smoothly & no idling while not in traffic)

Reduce meat and dairy in diet (like meatless Mondays or Planetary Health Plate listed below)

Seafood choices along lines of ‘mollusks are mighty (eat lots of),’ ‘feeder fish are fine (medium eat),’ & big fish are big treats (eat less of)’

Prioritize produce that is in-season locally and locally available food (support restaurants who source locally too)

Growing a garden for some of your own food

Reduce food waste:

1. 1. buy perishable food in smaller increments
   2. repurpose leftovers and ingredients
   3. freeze or can perishables that are about to expire
   4. donate unopened food to food banks

Planetary Health Plate includes the equivalent of one eight-ounce glass of milk (or one ounce of cheese, about the size of your thumb) per day; two eggs per week; two servings each of fish and chicken per week (about size of deck of playing cards); and two quarter-pounder beef burgers per month (pg 188)

Divest from fossil fuels in your retirement accounts and other investments

Invest in more sustainable products like ESG funds

Research your credit cards and bank accounts to choose companies that invest responsibly

Purchase goods and services from local businesses that represent the diversity in our community

“Donate to nonprofits and charities with a focus on climate stabilization, empowering women and girls, fighting poverty, and protecting nature in ways that also protect the livelihoods of local people” (pg 208)

Increase use of green energy such as

1. 1. Install rooftop solar panels
   2. Purchase green energy from utility (ex – MGE Green Power Tomorrow or Shared Solar)

Energy efficiency for heating/cooling in the home

1. 1. Manage household thermostat settings (ex – Lower in winter and when sleeping or away)
   2. Weatherize your home (insulation air sealing)
   3. Routine tune-ups on your furnace/air conditioning systems
   4. Insulate your hot water pipes

Electrify your home

1. 1. Heat pump to heat and cool your home (replaces furnace and central air)
   2. Heat pump water heater
   3. Induction stove instead of gas

Purchase energy star certified appliances

Conduct an online water softener optimization

Install low flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets

Transportation

1. 1. Communicate to your business or organization the importance of reducing air travel, supporting alternative transportation, and working remotely at least one day a week to reduce emissions
   2. Support development of walkable, dense neighborhoods with local services available that are pleasant for walking and cycling

Food

• 1. Let restaurants and cafeterias you frequent know that you would like to see more plant-based food choices with emphasis on their delicious taste

Energy

1. 1. Lead establishing targets for renewable energy at your business or organization or support efforts to reduce energy usage. Support utility-scale renewable energy projects.

Investment

• 1. Talk to your employer, alma mater, and other orgs about divesting from fossil fuels

Write to your local school board about support of sustainability for school buildings & in education

Educate a group of people on a sustainability topic that you’re passionate about

Start or join a green team

Amplify diverse voices and take steps towards inclusivity

Encourage your local grocery store to buy products from local farms

Purchase carbon offsets from a reputable organization that either prevents the release of, reduces, or removes GHG emissions from the atmosphere.

Share credible sustainability articles, news, and media with others

Attend sustainability conferences, seminars, workshops and other educational opportunities

Volunteer with sustainability organizations whose work resonates with you