It’s Time to Act.

By Will Charouhis, Founder of Forces of Nature

Together, we can halt the worst effects of climate change and ensure the survivability of our planet--our home. The solutions are here. Some of the solutions are even profitable. And the solutions will make our lives better. 

Illustration: Getty Images

Illustration: Getty Images

 


Here’s How We Get There:

1. No New Fossil Fuel Projects Anywhere.

Tell leaders to stop all oil, coal, and gas projects. Take The Florida Climate Pledge. 

 2. A Fast and Just Transition to 100% Renewable Energy. Deadline: 2030.

We need to economically incentivize and legally enforce a complete and just transition away from fossil fuels to a new clean energy economy. We can do our part by buying electric, taking mass transit, riding together, and turning off lights. Going car-free is the number one energy saver individuals can take. 

3.  No Continued Deforestation Anywhere. Deadline: 2025.

We need to economically incentivize landowners and farmers to produce alternate food sources that don't require cutting down any more of our trees. Beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products drive the majority of global deforestation. We can do our part by buying products and eating only foods that don’t deforest our planet.

4. Reforestation

Reforest our communities. We can do our part by planting trees. By planting more than a half-trillion trees, we can capture about 205 gigatons of carbon, reducing atmospheric carbon by 25 percent, enough to negate about 20 years of human-produced carbon emissions at the current rate. That’s about 6 trees apiece for the world population.  While we still need to cut carbon, it’s a start. 

Image: World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Image: World Business Council for Sustainable Development

5. Education.

Americas have a greater carbon footprint, per capita than anywhere else in the world.  But we can learn from developed countries that have carbon footprints a third of ours, and from entrepreneurial businesses that have already developed the technology to bring about necessary change here in the US. Let's get the conversation started-everywhere. Ask your school to make climate education a fundamental part of the curriculum. 

6. Switch to a healthier diet

Switch to alternate food sources to make deforestation for agriculture purposes unnecessary. Change what you eat; change how much you eat; change how much you waste, and avoid single-use plastics.


Not all solutions work for everyone: we live in a diverse world where we thrive by respecting each others’ choices. Do your research. And pick solutions that work for you and for the planet. Together, we can ensure our future.