Although the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us indoors and required that we do many things online, the climate crisis still continues on. The climate crisis requires our full time attention and action to mitigate it as much as possible. Below are resources that you can use to take action and to do your part in fighting climate change.

Register to Vote

If you are concerned about the climate crisis and want to see climate action, the #1 thing you can do is vote. If you see flaws in the systems around you, electing officials that share common viewpoints as you is the best way to change them. Politics might seem boring and slow, and you might have even been told that your vote does not matter. The only time your vote does not matter is when you don’t cast it. Voting, especially in local elections, is vital in this time of a climate crisis and pandemic.

Below are resources for voting depending on where you live. Please use these to register to vote or to update your voter information. If you recently moved, make sure to update your information to ensure you receive your ballot.  

Election Day is November 3^rd. But don’t wait! Voting and returning you ballot as soon as you receive it ensures your vote is counted!

• Washington Residents: https://www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx
• Non-Washington Residents: https://vote.gov/

Calculate Your Personal/Family’s Carbon Emissions

Have you ever wondered how much carbon you emit just by yourself? It’s probably more than you think! Below are several carbon emissions calculators that you can use to find out how much carbon you’re emitting. Calculate your emissions and discover ways to reduce them.

• Basic –
  • conservation.org: https://www.conservation.org/carbon-footprint-calculator – /
  • United Nations: https://offset.climateneutralnow.org/footprintcalc
• More Detailed (includes monthly/yearly spending habits) –
  • https://projectwren.com/
  • Berkeley: https://coolclimate.berkeley.edu/calculator
  • Carbon Footprint: https://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx

Reducing Your Emissions

Reducing your emissions can be easy and fun! A few simple actions can drastically reduce your individual emissions. Once you start, it can be hard to stop! Have fun discovering ways you can easily help the little rock in space that you call home.

• https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now/i-am-a-citizen
• https://unfccc.int/climate-action/climate-neutral-now/i-am-a-citizen/reductions-ind
• https://www.conservation.org/act/tips-to-live-green

Social Media and Online Movements

• https://fridaysforfuture.org/ (#FridaysForFuture)
• https://350.org/ (#ClimateStrike)
• https://strikewithus.org/

Sign the UN Climate Pledge

• https://climatepledge.global/
• Or, Sign your personal climate action pledge below! Email it to sustainability@bellevuecollege.edu and we will add your first name to our social media post with everyone who participated!

Personal Climate Action Pledge

I, as someone who is concerned about the ongoing climate crisis, pledge to do as much as I personally can to mitigate its effects. I will do this by taking the following actions (Select which ones):

• Vote for climate action (cast ballot by November 3^rd, 2020 at 8pm) – YES/NO
• Implementing lower carbon actions and activities into my daily routine- YES/NO
• Support the fight for climate action by visiting the websites or social media movements such as #FridaysForFuture and #ClimateStrike – YES/NO
• Increase my knowledge about the crisis through local or national organizations sucha s 350 Seattle, Sunrise Movement, Got Green. – YES/NO
• Acknowledge that this is not a one-person job. Help others and ask for help. We are in this together! – YES/NO

Signature                                                    Date

Last Updated October 15, 2020