Find the addresses of the CEOs of your favorite five businesses. Then write a personal letter explaining how much you like the company, and asking them to do more, at the advocacy level, using the CEO’s voice and power, to address climate change. In the same vein, spend your money wisely, support businesses that are already doing their part to reduce emissions and raising awareness around climate issues.
Write a letter to your local paper asking elected officials to do more on climate. Be sober, fact based, and firm. Send the same letter to your senator and congressperson.
Attend a town council meeting virtually, or later in person, in your community and during public comment, express your desire to see more aggressive climate action. It’s nerve-wracking—but deal with the pain.
Listen to the Podcast “Drilled,” and watch the film “Merchants of Doubt.”
When and if you are able, give money to a climate action group involved in movement buildings. POW, 350.org, or pick your favorite. Do it regularly.
When your elected official is doing a local town hall, go, and ask them to do more on climate.
Read a difficult but fascinating book about climate science. Consider Bill McKibben’s “Falter,” Elizabeth’s Kolbert’s “Field Notes from a Castastrophe,” or “The Uninhabitable Earth” by David Wallace Wells.
Get ten people to vote with you for a progressive climate candidate in the next election. Campaign for that person.
March in a climate protest. Make a sign. Bring your friends. Enjoy it—this is what it means to be citizen. Since it may be some time before we can gather in person, in the meantime tweet up a storm.
Take a pilgrimage to visit your congressperson to tell them that you are concerned about the climate problem, and that as a voter you expect them to act. When they demur, repeat yourself. Then send your friends to do the same thing. When you get home, send a follow-up letter of thanks, and demanding action. While we can’t visit in person right now, send them a letter now, and be there in person once you’re able.