When the United Nations Climate Report was released in early 2014, long-debated science solidified that climate change is under way, and the Midwest will face harsh effects. Some Midwest crop yields — like corn, soybeans, and wheat — may see an 85 percent decline. A major climate study, by climate-change watchdogs Risky Business, predicts $850 million to $12 billion dollars’ worth of crop losses — per year — by the end of the century. Heavy precipitation may also spur flooding and damage property. And then comes the heat, which lasts longer. The study warns that Midwest effects of climate change may cause higher crime rates, lower labor productivity, and more heat-related deaths each year.
To stop all this, taking action is key. The United Nations environmental council says 2015 is “pivotal” for climate action. Take these small steps to join the environmental movement and to protect the Midwest and beyond.
Buy Smart: Download GoodGuide
Corporations can wreak environmental havoc but boycotting on a large scale can encourage change. GoodGuide helps hold producers responsible. The app draws information from a database of over 250,000 products and places your purchase on a rating system — Is it environmentally and socially responsible? — with a thumbs up or down. Next time you’re shopping, simply scan a barcode and let this handy app do an ethics check. You can even select the issues you care most about to see selective ratings.
Get Informed: Read This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate
Think switching to eco-friendly light bulbs will help solve global warming? Not according to author Naomi Klein. That’s just a drop in the bucket, Klein argues in her New York Times bestseller. The key, she says, is to massively reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by rebuilding our local economies and our broken democracies. For further reading, read Politics of Climate Justice, which explores how world leaders are responding or The End of Nature, a call to concerned citizens to reconsider their relationships with the outdoors.
Protect the Environment: Join the Sierra Club
This grassroots environmental organization boasts over two million members. Donating a minimum of $15 gets you a year’s membership and helps protect national monuments, forests, and wilderness. Plus, you’ll be part of a group dedicated to practicing and promoting the responsible use of the earth’s resources and ecosystems. Find a local chapter near you at sierraclub.org.
Take Action at EPA.gov
The Environmental Protection Agency makes cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions easy with its 25 steps for greener living. Whether you’re at home, at the office, or on the road, you can protect the climate and reduce pollution. Purchasing Energy Star lighting and powering down your electronics is just a start. Check out other small steps with a big impact at epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/.
Make Political Change: Join NextGen
NextGen began with Tom Steyer, a rare species of billionaires rallying for climate action. With a fresh eye for social media’s power, this non-profit organization mobilizes networked activists. Sign up with NextGen’s newsletter to receive updates on climate bills, quick petitions to sign and share, and customizable letters to send lawmakers.
