2024 is officially the hottest year on record. The ocean is heating faster than ever as glaciers lose ice and sea levels rise. And this past year, extreme weather and wildfires devastated communities and economies across the world. 

As we start the new year, we can’t allow ourselves to feel discouraged about fighting climate change. While bigger actions by the government are needed to really make a difference, there are many individual actions that can help. 

Here is some advice from climate experts on ways to stay involved in the fight against climate change.   

Engage in Green Networking 

Radhika Iyengar, an associate research scholar at Columbia Climate School’s Center for Sustainable Development, believes we need more grassroots initiatives. “Meet people old school–style in cafes or at local businesses or nonprofit organizations, spend time getting to know them, and come up with collective plans for sustainable living,” she says. ”Volunteer on environmental commissions and attend their meetings to understand what local change we can bring. Volunteering in parent organizations for schools can help promote sustainability—such as avoiding plastic in cafeterias or starting a composting pilot—and this can help green the schools.”  

Katharine Hayhoe, a Canadian atmospheric scientist who has been called “perhaps the best communicator on climate change,” says on her personal website the most important thing you can do about climate change is to talk about it. Start a conversation about climate solutions and how individuals can make a difference. She recommends people join a climate group in order to magnify their impact. She also encourages people to urge their local news outlets to report on climate.

Consider Your Food

Cynthia Rosenzweig, adjunct senior scientist at the Climate School’s Center for Climate Systems Research, says to focus on what you can accomplish by being aware of the impact of what you eat. “Support local food systems and farmers,” she says. “By shopping locally and only buying the amount of food you know you’re going to eat, you minimize the amount of energy it takes for your food to get to you. Local, low energy-intensive food helps support both a healthy planet and healthy people.” In addition, she says, “Talk to your neighbors about the climate and food actions you’re taking. This not only helps build community with those around you, but also helps spread climate solutions and amplifies the effect.”

Work for Clean Energy Locally 

Michael Gerrard, director of Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and a professor of practice at Columbia’s Climate School, urges citizens to actively support wind or solar energy projects that are being proposed in their communities. Some anti-renewable energy laws are enacted at the local level, and it’s much easier to influence a town board than a state legislature. “At the local level, it tends to be project opponents who are more likely than supporters to come and make their voices strongly felt,” he says, “A few angry, loud people showing up at a town board meeting can have a major impact—if a town board just sees one side of the story, they’ll probably agree with that side. We need people on the other side. We need people coming in supporting these projects and doing so very vocally.” Gerrard also advises citizens to encourage their local officials to pass pro-climate laws or consider running for office themselves.

Bill McKibben, author and climate activist, focuses on local action. The members of Third Act, his organization for those over age 60, are encouraged to attend the meetings of little known state agencies or commissions that hold power over the energy transition, for example, those that determine utility rates or decide whether renewables should be added to the grid. 

Speak Your Mind

Bill Nye (the Science Guy), science communicator and author, says that the main thing is to take action. “I encourage everyone in the US to petition your legislators, your representatives in state assemblies and your member of Congress and Senators. Write letters and emails,” he says. “There are two main themes to emphasize to the lawmakers who represent us: First, Earth’s climate is changing because of us humans. Second, the US has to lead the world. With the US taking actions to reduce carbon emissions, while producing more electricity in renewable fashion, the world will follow. For better or for worse, the culture of the US, the entrepreneurship, the tradition of rules of law, and working for the public good render the US the logical leader in any global issue, climate change especially. Waiting for another emerging superpower to do something about climate change is not in anyone’s best interest.”

Michael Mann, climatologist and geophysicist, says, “We all have voices and we must use them now. Speak up and speak out.”