Climate change is a highly debated topic and worldwide concern for the irregular patterns and warming of the planet. You change a few aspects of your life to better your health and support your community, while slowly saving the planet in the process.

1. Go vegetarian or vegan

The meat and dairy industry is extremely large and continuously growing as it supports millions of people across the world. The industry relies on large plots of land, factory processes, and transportation to create and sell their products.

Livestock byproducts account for around 50 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions while contributing to mass deforestation and destruction of the land. By reducing your intake of meat and animal products, you can reduce your impact on the planet and improve your overall health.

2. Root for the cause

Support local charities and organizations that work towards conservation and climate change action by donating to the cause, volunteering in projects, or spreading the word about their goals. Some organizations focus on specific causes, like ocean protection or global warming, while others defend multiple areas of climate change. Greenpeace USA, Sierra Club, and ConservAmerica are a few private organizations that support many causes.

3. Advocate politically

Reach out to your local representatives, conservation clubs or government organizations and relay concerns and questions regarding the change in your area. Send a physical letter, write an email, make a phone call or visit an organization/person to bring your concerns to the forefront. If there is not an organization or political position in your area, you can start your own grassroots club or spread the word through social media.

4. Buy local produce

When you buy local produce, you support a local economy and encourage a community to know where their produce comes from. The food travels a smaller distance to your table, and the environmental cost of production and transportation is less. Fruits and vegetables sold from local farmers are also typically picked at peak freshness in their natural growing season, which means better and tastier fruit.

5. Reduce and reuse

Embrace a more minimalistic culture and reduce the amount of waste you produce by reusing containers, clothes, food scraps, paper, and plastic. Almost every piece of trash thrown into the garbage contributes to a growing landfill somewhere else. Before tossing something away or purchasing something new, try to envision whether an item is multi-purpose or can add value to your life.