Climate Work Must Continue: 10 Actions We Can All Take in Challenging Times

As we prepare to head into a new climate-hostile administration, many of us are filled with anxiety and dread. At the same time, we can take comfort in the fact that millions of people stand with us, want the best for our planet and people and are willing to take action. We are lifting each other up and figuring out a game plan to continue to work on climate change. Now is not the time to slow down and lose our mojo. We must find ways to shed this dread and to move forward, united in purpose.

HERE ARE 10 ACTIONS WE CAN TAKE ON CLIMATE CHANGE--it's more critical than ever that we don't let down on our climate work:

1) Learn about opportunities for climate progress despite a climate-hostile administration in this excellent article by the World Resources Institute (WRI). WRI is also doing some amazing work on Tracking (Global) Climate Progress which is important to see the big picture.

2) Download the #ClimateActionNow App to take daily actions on climate in a few seconds on your phone. Encourage everyone you know to do the same. Most actions in the app – like contacting your elected officials, emailing CEOs, or Tweeting at celebrities to step up – can be taken with just a few touches in just a few seconds.

3) Learn how to effect change on climate issues (by reading this article by Project Drawdown's Daniel Jasper). And also get free climate training via The Climate Reality Project.

• Become a trained The Climate Reality Project Leader and give presentations to teach others about climate change and what they can do to make a difference.
• Sign up to learn about upcoming (free) trainings with the Climate Reality Project.

4) Learn how you can take actions for climate in your workplace .

• This Project Drawdown guide features common professional roles and shows how you can take action in those roles to reduce your employer's carbon footprint.

5) Call, visit, and write to your elected Members of Congress to advocate for agencies that work on climate and are targeted by the new administration. Urge them to maintain funding, staffing, and clean energy incentive programs for these key agencies (see list below) that are doing critical work to address climate change.

Learn about agencies on the chopping block . We can also provide moral support to the heros that are working at these agencies during very challenging times.

• U.S. Environmental Project Agency (EPA)
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Department of Interior (DOI)
• U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID)

6) Learn more about climate change. And consider a career working on climate.

• Ramp up your knowledge and training on climate change (classes, certificate and degree programs, etc.).
• One of the best places to start learning about climate change is Project Drawdown's Climate Solutions 101 Online Training (6 mini-modules to learn about climate science and solutions). It's free and is an excellent place to start to figure out which solution(s) you want to tackle.
• Reading books on climate change is a great first step to making a shift to work or volunteer at a climate-focused organization.
• Use this green career direction worksheet to identify possible roles that might be a fit for your skills and top passion areas.
• Consider a career tackling climate change . For those interested in public service, consider getting a job with a federal agency working on climate change and be one of the heros to help from the inside: https://www.usajobs.gov/ . If you are a recent graduate, look for "Recent Graduate Roles" open to those up to two years out of their degree program. These are less competitive than jobs open to the public where you may be competing against people with significant experience. Of course there are many other sectors to consider: nonprofits, companies (including startups), international development agencies, academia, and consulting.

Need help finding a career in climate? Find a climate career coach:

• Lisa Yee-Litzenberg, GCDF | Green Career Advisor
• Radhika Bhatt | Satthe Studio
• Sharmila Singh | Green Lens Consulting
• Shannon Houde, MBA, PCC | Walk of Life Coaching
• Trish Kenlon | Sustainable Career Pathways
• Laura Thorne | Laura Thorne Consulting

7) Donate to environmental NGOs (like Earthjustice and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) that have legal teams that can bring lawsuits to stop the incoming administration from gutting our environmental and climate regulations.

• Donate to EarthJustice
• Donate to NRDC

8) Switch to a green bank to ensure that your money is not being invested in fossil fuels.

9) Support local initiatives that protect habitat (healthy ecosystems are more climate-resilient) and that promote a just transition to renewable energy and green infrastructure. Learn how climate change will affect the movement of people (climate migration ) around the globe.

10) Encourage climate education in schools . Push for state education standards to require climate education at high schools in your state. Minnesota now requires a climate change course for all Minnesota high school students. See article below. Volunteer to give climate presentations at local schools (after you get trained as a Climate Reality Project leader ).

Climate change education resources:

• Inspiring Article: Climate Change Education Now Required Learning for Minnesota High School Students
• OER Project: Teach Climate (includes climate curriculum for Grades 6-12)
• NOAA's Climate Education Program
• North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE): Climate Change Education

What other actions can people take on climate change?

Are you taking any specific actions? Please share your ideas and thoughts in the comments below.