Recent news about climate change and the environment has been gloomy.
Temperatures are soaring. Water is scarce. Carbon emissions are too high. And if things stay the same, they say the future is bleak.
Or, maybe not. As it turns out, we can treat our planet a lot better -- and make a difference -- without spending a lot of money or energy. And it can happen on the individual level.
Jaina Moan, the director of external affairs with the Nature Conservancy, said everyday solutions like getting everyone in the house to turn off lights when they're not needed and being aware of water waste are just two ways everyone in a family can help address climate change.
She said parents can make the issue engaging and not so scary for their children.
"You can make a game out of measuring the carbon footprint in your home," Moan said, "And then find ways with your kids to easily reduce that footprint."
CHECK OUT THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR
Some of the ways to reduce your carbon footprint around the home include:
- Unplug appliances
- Switch to LED lights
- Use smart thermostat technology
- Choose energy-efficient appliances
- Cover pools - SNWA pool cover rebate
- Eat less meat
- Plant a garden
- Drive less
- Line dry clothing
While those are all things regular people can do, Moan agreed that the most important thing is to vote for politicians who care about climate change.
"If we are to address climate change, then we need to address it at a larger societal level," she said, "There are our own individual actions that we can do, but those are more meaningful when collective action takes place."
Craig Rosen is part of an effort to get more collective action. He's the Science Alive community engagement and professional development administrator at Desert Research Institute.
DRI and Southwest Gas have collaborated on the Energy Smart Education program.
Rosen said they worked with a local theater group to create a short musical to engage school-aged kids around the state about conserving energy and what they can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The program has already been featured in 10 schools and Rosen hopes to reach more students.
"The more we put it in front of them... the more we talk about this, the more hope we'll have to make a difference," he said.
From NPR: 6 Tips For Talking To Kids About Climate Change
Jaina Moan, Director of External Affairs, The Nature Conservancy; Craig Rosen, Science Alive Community Engagement and Professional Development Administrator, Desert Research Institute
