Climate Action Strategy Spotlights

These Climate Action Strategy Spotlights were created to connect people (like you!) to ways you can take climate action in your home, school, office, or neighborhood. Click on a topic below to find ways you can help. You can find these spotlights in Spanish here.

Learn more about our CREATE Connections project here.

Why Action is Needed

  • Energy used in residential homes makes up 19.6% (1,928,395 MTCO2e) of all greenhouse gas emissions in the Lehigh Valley (LVPC, 2023)
  • Using energy more efficiently increases resiliency by reducing the chance of power outages from a congested power grid (FERE, 2023)
  • Energy efficiency has multiple benefits - it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves people money, reduces air pollution, and increases resiliency.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Use less energy

-  Keep curtains open during the day and closed at night to use sunlight as a free source of heat
-  Air dry clothes rather than using the dryer
-  Turn off and unplug appliances, lights, and chargers when not in use
-  Purchase LED lightbulbs - they are 90% more energy efficient than CFL light bulbs and last for as long as 25 years (EcoWatch, 2023)

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Level 2: Make small improvements to your house or apartment

-  Weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows helps to block drafts and stop the heat you pay for from escaping outside
-  Programmable “smart” thermostats allow you to set a schedule for your heating and cooling system so that you waste less energy on heating and cooling when no one is home
-  There are often incentive and reimbursement programs to help cover the cost of these improvements - and then you save money on the reduced energy bill!

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Level 3: Invest in energy efficient appliances, windows, and heating/cooling systems

-  Refrigerators, dishwashers, washer/dryers, air conditioners, stoves, heating systems, windows, doors, and skylights can all be more efficient - look for the Energy Star logo.
-  Electric heating and cooking appliances reduce emissions from burning fossil fuels and indoor air pollution.
-  There are often incentive and reimbursement programs to help cover the cost of these new purchases.

Resources:

Why Action is Needed

  • The United States has enough renewable energy resources to generate more than 100 times the amount of electricity Americans use each year. (Department of Energy, 2023)
  • Solar power generates 95-98% less greenhouse gas emissions than coal power (IPCC AR5)
  • Pennsylvania is near last - 45th in the country - for renewable energy supplying our electric grid (Energy Information Administration, 2021)  Later is too late to take full advantage of these technological advancements - we need to start adopting them now.

What You Can Do 

Level 1: Use PA Power Switch to purchase renewable electricity
- All electricity customers in PA can use https://www.papowerswitch.com/ to shop among competing energy suppliers, often at lower rates than the default. Each option displays the percent of renewable energy they use.

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Level 2: Talk to others and build community support for renewables
- There are a variety of policies that would support cities, regions, and the state in increasing renewable energy generation. Learning about these policies and spreading the word about those you support is important to making them reality.
- Some examples include Community Choice Aggregation, community solar, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

  • Community Choice Aggregation - “allow local governments to procure power on behalf of their residents, businesses, and municipal accounts from an alternative supplier while still receiving transmission and distribution service from their existing utility provider” (EPA)
  • Community solar - individuals, businesses, nonprofits, or other customers subscribe to or own a portion of a solar array and receive credit on their electric bill for the electricity generated by their portion (Department of Energy)
  • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative - 10 states in the Northeast that set a regional limit on CO2 emissions from power plants (PA DEP, 2020)

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Level 3: Consider a home solar system
- There are often incentive and reimbursement programs to help cover the initial cost of solar panel installation.
- Solar panels can increase the resale value of your home by about $15,000, in addition to savings on your energy bill every year. (Department of Energy)

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, making up 28% of all emissions. (EPA, 2021)
  • It produces about half of the carbon dioxide to move one person one mile in a bus compared to a car (US DOT, 2010)
  • With increasing congestion on the roads, a bus can move many more people while taking up significantly less road space (think about 10 cars on the road vs. 10 people on one bus), reducing traffic.
  • The average household will spend $175-$225 on gas per month (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2024), not to mention the cost for registration, insurance and maintenance of a car - a monthly bus pass costs only $60.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Get more familiar with our local public transportation (LANTA)
- Plan a fun outing by bus - invite some friends to go get ice cream, try a new restaurant, or visit a park you have never been to before
- As of 2024, a one-way ride on LANTA is only $2, and a day pass is only $4!

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Level 2: Switch one recurring trip to public transportation 
- Use it regularly, whether that’s to take your kids to their weekly sports practice, for your weekly grocery store trip, or going to the farmer’s market every weekend.

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Level 3: Make taking the bus part of your daily routine
- Default to taking the bus whenever there is an available route that serves your needs. Discover extra time in your week to read, catch up with friends, etc. while riding the bus and avoid the stress of driving/traffic
- Consider combining the bus with biking or walking to complete your journey.
- Some employers offer a free bus pass or reimbursement to employees who commute via public transit - consider proposing something similar at your workplace

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, making up 28% of all emissions. (EPA, 2021)
  • The majority of car trips are short (<3 miles) (DOE, 2022). Walking or biking instead - both carbon-free modes of transportation! - is great for the climate, physical and mental health, and the social fabric of a community.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Switch 1-3 short car trips per week to walking or biking. 
- Maybe you usually drive the 5 minutes to your favorite restaurant - try walking instead!
- E-bikes and scooters are also great options to increase your mobility.
- Bike safely - spend a few minutes to learn how to signal and scan with this video from the League of American Bicyclists: https://bikeleague.org/videos/signaling-and-scanning/ 
- Be sure you have a helmet and reflective gear as needed

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Level 2: Get involved with local conversations about cyclist and pedestrian safety in your community
- Many kinds of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure that can be built in communities along with bike lanes, including curb extensions, lighting, shared-lane markings, signage, buffers, and signal crossings, among others.
- Start by talking with your neighbors and friends! What bike infrastructure would you like to see on or near your block?
- The Coalition for Appropriate Transportation (https://lvcat.org/) is a Lehigh Valley-wide group that supports biking, walking, and public transportation.
- Your local environmental advisory council or public works department may also be considering these types of improvements and may benefit from your feedback.

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Level 3: Bring others along with you! 
- Encourage others at your workplace to join you in biking to work, participate in group rides offered through CAT to meet others, or organize a bike drive to gather bike donations for those who need them
- If we want to have bikeable and walkable communities that are safe and welcoming, then we need communities of people to bike and walk!

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • One gas-powered car emits about 4.6 tons of CO2 annually (EPA, 2023).
  • Fully electric vehicles emit no CO2 on the road - the only emissions come from generating the electricity used to charge EVs.
  • The more people use electric vehicles, the more beneficial they become. This is because the number of charging stations, mechanics trained in repairing EVs, and EV technology itself will all continue to improve.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Calculate how much you could save annually with an EV
- Calculate how much you would save based on how many miles you drive and your current car’s fuel efficiency here: https://www.duke-energy.com/energy-education/electric-vehicles/benefits-of-evs
- Additional savings - EVs don’t need oil changes or as much other regular maintenance as gas-powered cars.

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Level 2: Support electrification of buses and other government or commercial vehicle fleets
- Transitioning to electric public transit buses, police vehicles, parking enforcement vehicles, and fleets owned by businesses can rapidly scale the benefits of EVs
- Grants and tax credits are often available for the initial purchase of EVs.
- If you hear that your local government or employer is ready to replace a portion of their fleet, suggest they consider purchasing EVs.

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Level 3: Consider purchasing an EV or hybrid-electric vehicle yourself 
- In addition to the potential savings, explore charging stations available near you or if you will be able to charge an EV at home (this can require a higher voltage outlet).
- The federal and state governments offer rebates and tax credits for the purchase of most hybrid and fully electric vehicles. The car seller should be able to give you information on these opportunities before your purchase.

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Planting trees can reduce temperatures, especially in urban areas experiencing the urban heat island effect, by as much as 10°F (UW-Madison, 2019)
  • A single mature tree can absorb more than 48 pounds of CO2 every year, in addition to other air pollutants (USDA, 2015)
  • Trees can prevent flooding by reducing rainfall runoff and intercepting rainfall - 30% of rainfall will be evaporated without ever hitting the ground because of tree canopies (The Woodland Trust, 2024)

What You Can Do

Level 1: Sign up for a program that plants trees for things you are already doing
- There are a variety of free websites and apps that allow you to earn points toward planting real trees. Some examples include the Ecosia internet browser or the Forest productivity/focus app - a quick internet search is the best way to find the most current opportunities!

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Level 2: Volunteer to help at a tree planting event
- Often cities, municipalities, and other organizations may host tree plantings around Earth Day or Arbor Day - check out a local events page or contact your local government staff to learn about opportunities near you!

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Level 3: Join your local Environmental Advisory Council or Shade Tree Commission
- These groups are often central to organizing tree plantings throughout a community.
- If no one has organized a tree planting in the past, an EAC or similar group can help you connect with local officials and volunteers to make one happen!

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Both climate change and shrinking habitat due to urban sprawl threaten native plants and animals (Audubon, 2024)
  • Native plants provide more habitat and food for native species, absorb more stormwater runoff, and require less irrigation or fertilizers than traditional grass lawns.
  • Reducing the need for mowing and other lawn care can cut back on noise and carbon emissions and save you time and money

What You Can Do

Level 1: Make some small changes on your property to become watershed friendly or a backyard habitat
- The Watershed Friendly PA Certification Program for watershed friendly properties gives suggestions for managing water on your property to protect your watershed - creeks, rivers, groundwater, etc. Those who submit an application listing the actions they’ve taken will receive a certificate and window sticker: https://extension.psu.edu/programs/watershed-stewards/watershed-friendly-pa

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Level 2: Support local ordinances that encourage less mowing and more native landscaping.
- Tell your local government that you support updating ordinances to encourage landscaping with native plants, especially in large new developments.
- PA DCNR Guide to Landscaping with Native Plants: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/LandscapingwithNativePlants/Pages/default.aspx

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Level 3: Consider becoming a master gardener
- Penn State Extension’s Master Gardener program provides interested volunteers with training in horticulture so they can help others learn about gardening.

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Green infrastructure refers to including natural features (i.e. trees, native plantings, green roofs/walls) in our man-made environments to manage stormwater, improve air quality, lower temperatures, beautify streets, support pollinators and other animal habitats, create public food sources, and more.
  • Green infrastructure can absorb carbon, and help reduce the impacts of climate change helping with adaptation.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Speak up to protect existing green space

- Development pressure has increased in recent years, particularly in the Lehigh Valley. Recognizing the value of our green and open spaces and encouraging local government officials, planning commissions, and other residents to protect them can ensure we have access to their benefits in the future.
- This can also include taking an inventory of existing green spaces in your community. Listing or mapping parks, wooded areas, riparian zones along streams, and other green space can be a resident-directed effort.

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Level 2: Use rain barrels, maintain natural landscaping, or reduce impervious surfaces to manage stormwater on your own property

-  Consider applying to get your property certified as watershed-friendly! Watershed-Friendly PA contains many ideas for actions you can take to manage stormwater: https://watershedfriendlypa.org/home/certifying-your-urban-small-lot-property/

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Level 3: Invest in energy efficient appliances, windows, and heating/cooling systems

- Together with other members of your community in collaboration with local government, you could work to plan rain gardens, bioswales, green roofs, etc., seeking out grants and support from other organizations in the community

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Why Action is Needed

  • ⅔ of the world’s population is expected to live in cities by 2050; growing food closer to where people will eat it is critical (Food Unfolded, 2023).
  • Of all of the emissions generated by producing our food, nearly one-fifth come from transportation - that’s cut to zero when you walk down the street to your community garden to dig up your own potatoes! (Nature, 2022)

What You Can Do

Level 1: Container gardening 
- Try growing a small row of herbs on your window sill or a pot of tomatoes on your porch
- A pint of cherry tomatoes can cost close to 5 dollars at the grocery store; a single tomato plant can produce up to 30 pounds of the fruit in one season!

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Level 2: Volunteer at a community garden or urban farm
- As a volunteer, you can learn a lot from experienced gardeners and gain experience in a garden even if you can only get your hands in the dirt once or twice a week

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Level 3: Maintain your own plot at home or in a community garden
- Planning, planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting your own garden is a time-consuming but highly rewarding process. - If your garden is especially productive, consider participating in Plant a Row Lehigh Valley (https://plantarowlv.org/) to donate your overflow to those who do not have enough to eat.

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Why Action is Needed

  • Every 1 dollar spent at a Lehigh Valley farm generates an additional 45 cents in economic activity (BFBL, 2024)
  • Meat and dairy production alone accounts for nearly 15% of all global greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Brief)
  • Plant-rich diets are associated with improved nutrition and increased food security, which can reduce cardiovascular disease, reduce nutrient deficiency, reduce obesity, and improve mental health. (Project Drawdown)

What You Can Do

Level 1: Explore eating a more plant-rich diet
- You don’t have to fully cut out meat, dairy, or eggs to eat in a more climate-friendly way. Meatless Mondays are one way people try plant-based protein sources for just one day a week
- Trying out plant-based meals is a great way to get out of a recipe rut and find new foods that you enjoy

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Level 2: Commit to visiting your local farmers market or a farm stand on a regular basis
- Use Buy Fresh Buy Local’s Find Local Foods tool to learn about the options available near you: https://www.buylocalglv.org/find-local-food/ 
- In addition to farmer’s markets, some local retailers emphasize locally sourced foods whenever possible. Click “retail outlet” under Vendor Type on BFBL’s food finder to view these locations. It’s amazing what’s available in addition to fruits and vegetables - talented local growers and producers also offer their own meats, dairy products, condiments like ketchup or jams, wine and spirits, candy, and much more!

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Level 3: Encourage your workplace, school, church, or other organization to purchase local, plant-based foods
- We can multiply our individual influence when acting collaboratively in a group. Being able to depend on larger purchases from a school district or workplace can go a long way to supporting a local farmer’s hard work.

Resources

Why Action is Needed

  • Extracting the oil and gas that are the raw materials for plastics, manufacturing plastics, and disposing of plastics (especially through incineration) all contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention other water, air, and soil pollution. (Center for International Environmental Law, 2019)
  • In addition to climate impacts, plastic has been found almost everywhere in the oceans and on land, especially in the form of microplastics. This pollution threatens wildlife and potentially human health.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Store reusable bags in the car so you always have them at the grocery store
- A quick new habit to establish!

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Level 2: Invest in reusable alternatives
- This could include reusable travel mugs rather than single-use coffee cups, stainless steel straws, glass containers for packing lunch rather than plastic bags, and many more durable and practical alternatives to plastic

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Level 3: Learn and share about single-use plastic bans
- Single-use plastic bans are one strategy to reduce use of plastic bags and other items. California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon, and Vermont all have bans on bags, as do many other regions and cities.
- After doing some research, you can share what you learn with others in your life - or even your elected officials

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Why Action is Needed

  • Decaying material in landfills releases greenhouse gasses - accounting for 3% of the City of Easton’s total emissions and nearly 10% of the City of Bethlehem’s emissions.
  • Waste also contributes to transportation emissions as a result of the trucks that haul trash to landfills.
  • The average American produces 4.4 pounds of trash per day (The Nature Conservancy, 2022)
  • If everyone in the world consumed as much as Western countries do, we would need 5 planet Earths to sustain us (The World Counts, 2024)

What You Can Do

Level 1: Recycle what you can
- Be sure to recycle whenever possible - as long as you’re following your local recycling guidelines (these should be available on your municipality's website or through the company that picks up your recycling).
- Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a lightbulb for 20 hours (EPA, 2024)

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Level 2: Try to reuse items rather than buying new
- With a little creativity, you can save money and reduce waste. For example, using old t-shirts as cleaning rags rather than buying a pack of cleaning rags reduces both packaging and fabric sent to the landfill.

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Level 3: Build a community that is willing to exchange items and support one other 
- Join a “buy nothing” group and consider borrowing items like tools that will only be used a few times from a neighbor rather than buying your own set

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Why Action is Needed

  • One of the most effective actions we can take as individuals to combat climate change is to talk about it with others.
  • This multiplies our influence and helps build bigger communities to tackle these very big issues!

What You Can Do

Level 1: Increase your knowledge and awareness
- Understanding the basics of what climate change is and what we can do about it can help you take effective action
- Check out the educational resources below to get started or to build on your existing climate knowledge!

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Level 2: Talk to someone about climate change and climate action
- When we know others around us also care about climate and a healthy environment, it is much easier to join forces for change.
- It’s also more fun and motivating to take action together!

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Level 3: Join a group committed to the environment, local community or sustainability
- There are many groups of other like-minded people trying to make a difference on climate change in a variety of ways. These include groups focused on politics, local cleanups, planting trees, working with students, and more.
- Another route is to make climate part of a group you are already part of - read a climate related book in your book club, or pick a climate related volunteer effort for your church volunteer group, for example.

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Why Action is Needed

  • Responding to climate change is not just about reducing emissions and future warming, we need to prepare our communities for the climate impacts we are already experiencing
  • The Lehigh Valley has warmed nearly 4°F in the past 100 years and is receiving 5.9 inches more annual precipitation, especially in the form of very heavy rain. These trends are projected to continue and intensify in the next 100 years. (NOAA NCDC)
  • Our region experiences a variety of weather-related hazards that are expected to become more intense and/or frequent as a result of climate change, including heavy precipitation events, flooding, and heat waves.

What You Can Do

Level 1: Learn about the climate-related risks your home, city, and region face
- Climate Explorer - https://toolkit.climate.gov/tool/climate-explorer-0 This tool includes maps and charts that depict impacts of climate change at the city and county level.
- Climate Central - https://www.climatecentral.org/ - displays data on a variety of climate impacts in visual formats

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Level 2: Increase your household preparedness 
- An emergency kit and emergency or evacuation plan are excellent first steps to prepare for a variety of hazards.
- Ready.gov - https://www.ready.gov/ Ready.gov provides preparedness resources including emergency kit checklists and evacuation plan templates

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Level 3: Contribute to community-wide preparedness efforts
- Neighbors helping neighbors can be an important part of an effective response to a weather-related hazard.
- Talk to people on your street, especially elderly residents or families with children, about their emergency plans, or check up on them during storms or extreme hot or cold spells.
- Most municipalities have an emergency manager and a hazard mitigation plan - contact your local government about ways you may be able to get involved or provide your input to these plans

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This webpage was prepared by the Nurture Nature Center under award NA23SEC0080002 from the Environmental Literacy Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or the U.S. Department of Commerce.