Collective action will be imperative to mitigating the climate crisis.
Global warming is a looming threat that will require collective action to mitigate, according to experts. While the vast majority of the greenhouse gases that cause climate change are emitted by the burning of fossil fuels for energy -- about 75% globally, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency -- individuals can still participate in actions that have reverberating impacts on their regional environment and ecosystems.
Collective action -- including taking part in community-led events -- is a "key" tool in building climate resilience, according to theis "Our Power, Our Planet" -- emphasizing the power of community mobilization and collective action to defend progress in protecting the environment. Every year, up to 23 tons of plastic waste leaks into aquatic systems around the world, including lakes, rivers and seas, according to theby Norwegian researchers found that removing large, visible plastic items from coastlines reduced local microplastic pollution by 99.5% within one year.
Volunteers who participate in beach cleanups report that they found the experience meaningful; learned more about the marine environment; and intended to engage in more pro-environmental behaviors, the study noted. Cleaner beaches also support safer recreation, stronger local communities and healthier ecosystems, Vishnu Chandran, CEO of Wild Republic, told ABC News.
"It creates collaboration, and I think it helps us learn more about what we're doing and why we need to leave the planet better," Chandran said. Scientists are using several models to understand how to meaningfully reduce the amounts of plastics entering the environment, said Britta Baechler, director of ocean plastic research at Ocean Conservancy, a nonprofit that focuses on protecting the ocean through science-based solutions.
The actions boil down to cutting down the amount of plastic being produced, better managing and recycling plastics already in circulation and cleaning up the plastic that gets into the natural environment, Baechler told ABC News.
National elections tend to garner the most media attention and turnout, but people who engage in local elections can help make long-lasting policy changes that drastically improve their environmental circumstances.in the U.S. is about 60% for presidential elections and 40% for midterms, local elections often garner less than 20% of voters, according to the University of Chicago's Voting in local elections can lead to cleaner air and less traffic as city councils prioritize walkable, transit-friendly neighborhoods; protect water supply by offering incentives to save water on landscaping and new development; and reduce pollution by keeping major sources, like oil and gas drilling, away from communities, according tohave been heavily impacted by pollution and industrialization from petrochemical plants and oil refineries, leading to high cancer risks for residents who live in the region.
Communities of color and low wealth are disproportionately impacted, according to the About 59% of registered voters prefer to vote for a candidate who supports action on global warming, while about 41% of voters would like to hear more often from political candidates about efforts to reduce global warming, aThe "number one" thing voters can do is look up their next local election and bring 10 friends with them to vote, Adam Met, executive director of climate nonprofit Planet Reimagined, told ABC News.
"These local elections put people in power that decide what local transportation looks like, how waste is collected, what types of energy your neighborhood uses and more," Met said. -- a 133-year-old environmental group with chapters in all 50 states -- encourages voters to research candidates' positions and support those who best represent their commitment to environmental sustainability.
"We almost always know these candidates who live in and represent our communities," the environmental nonprofit said. Voters can also help to fight climate change by donating to candidates whose promises align with the decarbonization efforts, aTrees and plants sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, filter pollutants from the air and reduce urban temperatures through shade, according toTrees can also help manage stormwater and water quality as the roots absorb excess rainfall and reduce runoff into waterways; prevent soil erosion because trees stabilize the earth; and support biodiversity by providing essential habitats and food for pollinators and wildlife, according to theThey have been found to boost mental and physical health.
Spending a short amount of time in nature can lead to a drop in anxiety and reduce the risk of depression, according to athat involved the planting of more than 8,000 new trees in Louisville, Kentucky, between 2019 and 2022 found that the additional greenery improved local peoples' health conditions linked to heart disease, stroke and cancer. The plants serve as a physical barrier against dirty air, absorbing chemicals into their cells and collecting particles with their leaves, according to the researchers.
Planting a tree or tending to a garden is a simple way for individuals to contribute to the climate fight, Chris Cerveny, a soil science and agronomy expert and co-founder of Just Good Soil, an agricultural company that focuses on regenerative gardening practices, told ABC News.
"This is a great opportunity for any climate-activist gardener to bank carbon in the soil for future air quality," he said. Make composting a part of your household waste managementWhen organic material like fruits and vegetables break down, the decay releases methane.
This greenhouse gas is about 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, thePeople who compost their food scraps and yard trimmings can contribute to reducing landfill methane emissions; improving soil health; and sequestering carbon, according to the EPA. Some municipalities offer composting programs, in which residents can just place their compost into separate bins to be taken away.on how to compost at home, including how to collect and store browns and greens, how to build and maintain a composting pile and how to harvest the finished compost.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
10 Burning Questions That Will Be Answered During the 2026 NFL DraftThe biggest 10 questions leading up to the first day of the 2026 NFL draft.
Read more »
3 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day 2026 in DallasWe should love the planet while it's still green. Show the Earth some love this week by learning about the place we call home.
Read more »
Seattle Storm to host 2026 media day after roster shake-up in free agency, WNBA draftThe Seattle Storm opens a new era Monday at 2026 Media Day, offering a first look at the upcoming season with a roster reshaped by a dramatic offseason.
Read more »
NYC schools calendar released for 2026-27: See first day, last day, holidaysWhen is the first day of school for NYC schools next year? The calendar just came out.
Read more »
Earth Day 2026: Benefits of recycling and what you need to know to do it properlyTomorrow is Earth Day, a reminder about the importance of taking care of the planet where we live, not just for ourselves, but for our children and for their children.
Read more »
Best Earth Day deals 2026: Anker SOLIX, Merrell, and Patagonia are all on sale right nowStan Horaczek is the executive gear editor atPopular Science He oversees a team of gear-obsessed writers and editors dedicated to finding and featuring the newest, best, and most innovative gadgets on the market and beyond.
Read more »
