Mission: Support SC volunteers across the state with information about climate impacts in PA and ways to mitigate those impacts. Leverage resources from other SC teams, env orgs and PA gov.
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The Climate Crisis is Real
If you still have any doubts
In the year 2024 the global average temperature surpassed the target increase limit of 1.5 Degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. This is considered a critical threshold to avoid the most severe impacts of the climate crisis, which include significantly more extreme weather events, rising sea levels and damage to ecosystems.
In addition to human activity warming the planet, scientists recently identified Amplifying Feedback Loops causing additional warming. Below are three examples of the approximate 20 Amplifying Feedback Loops:
- As the planet warms more ocean ice and land snow cover melt, exposing water and ground. These darker surfaces absorb more heat, which causes more melting.
- Thawing permafrost in Canada and Siberia is releasing methane, a greenhouse gas that's much more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
- Higher temperatures lead to drier conditions and droughts that are more prone to wildfires. The fires then release more greenhouse emissions and create more heat.
Significant impacts affecting humanity and the environment
More weather disasters causing destruction and death from:
- Unbearably hot days and heat.
- Wildfires now more frequently occurring in places that rarely had wildfires.
- More damaging large/strong hurricanes, heavy rain events and flooding.
Due to the increase in and greater severity of hurricanes and wildfires, insurance companies are canceling home owner policies in these areas. Extreme weather and changing climates are causing food and water shortages and higher prices
It is undeniably clear that we need to urgently take action to combat the climate crisis! For more info and a list of informative websites, go to: sierraclub.org/pa/cc-team#flyer
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." – Robert Swan
We all can do something about it
Practical and effective actions you can take to combat the Climate Crisis
Vote: Evaluate the climate and environmental positions of your candidates and ultimately vote for the pro-environment candidates.
Electricity: Buy renewable electricity by selecting a Renewable Energy offering via PAPowerSwitch at https://www.papowerswitch.com/shop-for-home/.
Replace bulbs with LEDs and turn off lights and electrical items when not in use.
Transportation: Take public transit, carpool, combine trips, bike, or walk. Fly less. Drive fuel efficient vehicles (EVs, PHEVs or Hybrids). Reduce travel by increasing your use of virtual meeting tools (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Facetime). Purchase verified carbon offsets for your flights and other aspects of your carbon footprint.
Efficiency: Purchase ENERGY STAR rated heating systems, air conditioning and appliances. Purchase water efficient shower heads, faucet heads, toilets, washing machines and dishwashers.
Food & Waste: Enjoy more plant-based meals. Buy locally grown foods. Eat less beef and dairy. Reduce food waste by composting food scraps.
Living Space: Reduce heat/cooling loss with insulation, caulk and weather stripping. You may qualify for assistance and incentives by PA or County weatherization programs. Get a home energy audit, possibly offered by your electric distribution utility.
Trees: Plant trees wherever feasible and preserve existing forests to sequester carbon.
Solar: Have solar panels installed for your home, which pay for themselves in 7 to 10 years. Incentives and credits may be available from the PA State and the Federal Government. Many installers offer financing options.