ACT

. . . to change your choices and behaviors contributing to climate change.

A solution on the economic and technological level can be found if we undergo in the most radical way an inner change of heart which can lead to a change in life-style …

H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Vatican Representative to the United Nations

Once you have taken the steps of the Pledge to PRAY, LEARN, and ASSESS you are now ready to form an Action Plan that will reduce your consumption of resources, lower your carbon footprint, and conserve energy.

Action Ideas for Schools:

1. Reduce your consumption of energy.  Since much of our national power grid is powered by natural gas and coal-fired power plants, when you consume less energy for electricity, heating and cooling you help reduce emissions and pollution from these facilities.
2. Choose “green” or alternative sources of energy.  Choose to purchase electricity that is generated from renewable and environmentally friendly sources like wind and solar power. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Green Power Network website gives significant resources for state-by-state options for green power.  Note:  For both of these actions you may also find some financing.  Check out:
   • Financing Energy Efficiency Projects
   • Energy Efficiency Partners.
   • Or search the Database for State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
3. Reduce your transportation demand. A large contributor to carbon pollution is transportation in the United States.  Walk, bike, and use public transportation or use car pools to reduce auto travel.  Limiting air travel also reduces your carbon footprint.
4. Reduce, reuse and recycle.  Starting points are “reduce and reuse” – reduce your use of materials, resources and energy and reuse whenever possible. “Pre-cycle” or choose wisely before making purchases, to reduce packaging (e.g. paper, plastic) and energy consumption.  Recycling helps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gases.
5. Buy local.  Support local business and the local food producers to reduce transportation associated with the transport of goods.  Food that is produced close to home requires far fewer resources to get them to you than those things shipped from another continent or region.
6. Visit the Take Action page of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change for more ways to save money, save the environment, and help build a more sustainable and just world.