Category:Solutions

From ClimateNetworkWiki

Solutions is part of the Knowledge Base, it is our hub for knowledge about the problems and solutions of climate change.

Solutions

Planning for Climate Change

Climate-Neutral Planning - an introductory article on how institutions can effectively plan for climate action.
Collaborative Climate Change Planning - information on the steps an institution can take to go beyond climate-neutral.

Planning Areas

Education
Engagement
Energy: Energy production is the world's largest source of GHG emissions. This sector explores alternative forms of energy production, and how to apply them on your campus. For energy efficiency initiatives, see Buildings.
Buildings: All campuses have buildings on them which contribute to GHG emissions. This page explores best practices like energy efficiency, living buildings, green roofs, and rating systems like LEEDS.
Transportation: Transportation is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. This section explores options for campuses to reduce their transportation emissions, including U-Passes, parking management, and cycling infrastructure.
Food: Let's not take that campus cafeteria pizza or falafel for granted! Growing and transporting food contributes to carbon emissions, and there are many delicious options for lowering your campus' food footprint.
Waste: Landfills are a source of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. If we can reduce the amount of materials we send to the landfills through reducing, composting, and recycling, it will help our schools go beyond carbon neutral - and most likely to save money, too!
Purchasing The GHG emissions resulting from the production and transportation of products purchased by the university (paper, computers, furniture, books, school memorabilia, etc.) are rarely included within the boundaries of GHG emission reduction plans, but they are significant. For example, a study at UC Berkeley found that if they included campus procurement and other remote sources, their GHG inventory total would more than double (Eagan et al. 2008^[1]).

Understanding the Challenge

Climate change can be hard to wrap your head around. We propose the first step is to take the immortal advice of the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: "Don't panic." Creating climate neutral societies is an opportunity to rethink, redesign, and recreate almost everything we do. How far do we have to go? For information about the climate science that is driving climate change policy, check out: A Guide for Deep Change.

Skeptical?

Are you skeptical about whether the climate is changing, whether that is a bad thing, and whether or not people are the cause? Check out the following excellent resources:

Gristmill's How To Talk to A Climate Skeptic
Climate Change: A Guide for the Perplexed.
Also, this video, somewhat melodramatically titled, has proven results on climate change skeptics: The Most Terrifying Video You Will Ever See.

Invitation to Participate

One of the ways that we can make the Knowledge Base useful is to invite people that we think would find it helpful. In addition, we can inform them of the purpose of the Exchange and inviting them to reciprocate by participating in our learning community.