Due to a steep incline in atmospheric carbon dioxide in recent years, the world’s climate change crisis is at a scary point in history. Carbon dioxide has a unique heat trapping nature and with an unprecedented increase in greenhouse emissions our world is heating up. Because of the increase in temperature sea levels are rising rapidly, ice and glaciers are shrinking, the ocean is acidifying, and rainfall is becoming more and more heavy.

It’s truly a shame that climate change is not at the forefront of the political campaign. It is barely heard in the shadows of the economy, immigration and foreign policy. The preceding issues are each important but deal with short-term conflicts. But it must be known that the climate change crisis will become a short-term problem soon enough if we keep ignoring it.

What are some every day things that you can do?

1. Get involved in your local community – call up your city’s representative and affirm your stance on climate change. It’s always helpful to add some of the positive outcomes of reducing greenhouse emissions like a healthier community and an increase in jobs.
2. Be green in your home – conserve energy by switching off lights when they’re not needed, have one recycle bin for every trash can, wash your clothes in cold water, unplug electronics when you’re not using them, hand wash dishes when you can, and air dry as many clothes possible.
3. Eat green – not only is it better for you, but buying and eating local and organically grown foods (especially fresh produce) is a great way to reduce on greenhouse emissions.
4. Take public transportation, bike or walk when you can – so much of our modern world’s pollution comes from and increase in cars. Sharing is caring when it comes to transportation for the environment and your wallet. Biking and walking, when possible, are also great forms of exercise in addition to keeping your city a little cleaner.
5. Donate or volunteer – some great organizations today are 350.org, Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Idle No More, and Union of Concerned Scientists.

Here are some of the greenest cities in the U.S., did your hometown make the list?

If not, get working!

1. New York, NY
2. Portland, OR
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Washington, DC
5. Honolulu, HI