Take action this Earth Day with King County’s EcoConsumer Climate Challenge

Global climate change is, in a word – daunting. What can one person do to make a difference? Earth Day is April 22 (with most local events this Saturday), and the EcoConsumer Earth Day Climate Challenge offers a fresh look at daily actions we can all take to reduce the effects of climate change. The Challenge includes tips and resources that can help us save money, cut waste and clutter, and better connect in our community.

“There are more resources than ever to help us make shifts in our lives that benefit the climate, whether it’s a service that allows you to share and swap things with your neighbors, or classes on how to build a solar oven,” said King County EcoConsumer Tom Watson.

The EcoConsumer Climate Challenge website includes tips and resources, as well as profiles of King County residents who have taken their own steps to reduce their carbon footprint. The Challenge includes four steps.

Step 1: Re-Create Waste: Prevent food waste, embrace reuse and recycling, and practice natural lawn care. Read how Bellevue resident Christina Dudley cut back on the amount of stuff she sends to the landfill.

Step 2: Share and Share Alike: Reduce consumption by sharing or trading goods and services in your community. Use car-sharing services and support bike sharing in our region. Read about Renton blogger Lillian Hurn’s experience with clothes-swapping websites.

Step 3: Harvest the Sun: Try solar power, whether it’s charging your gadgets with a solar charger, drying your laundry outside, or signing up for a community solar project. Read how Linda Stein became enamored with solar cooking, and learn how to make your own solar oven from reused materials.

Step 4: Connect in Your Community: Volunteer with or support organizations that are working to improve the environment and reduce climate change. Read about Mike Friedhoff, who coordinates EarthCorps habitat restoration events in King County.