We all can take actions to reduce climate change and its impacts. One way humans are able to mitigate climate change or lesson its severity is by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a combination of short-term to long-term strategies are needed. The most immediate strategy is the being conservation of oil, gas, and coal which we rely to fuel or things like transportation, agriculture, and electricity. Building new infrastructure to switch to the use of alternative, renewable energy sources represent short to mid-term strategies. Long-term strategies will require innovate research and a deep fundamental change in the way we use energy.
As a system, the NERRS are particularly concerned with atmospheric gases that contribute to climate change and endeavor to reduce their impacts. The NERRS strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all program aspects including: how facilities are developed, renovated, and operated; the selection and use of boats and vehicles; and how we conduct programs and meetings. The NERRS strongly believe that practices and polices followed at the Reserves as well as homes, schools, businesses and governments can affect climate. Additionally, actions taken by students and other individuals, schools, communities, states and countries all influence climate. We need to start taking actions today to make sure that we have healthy estuaries and coastal communities of the future.
Downloads Used with this Activity
National Estuarine Research Reserves: Taking Steps to Reduce our Carbon Footprint.
Additional Web Resources
Are you and your students ready to reduce your carbon footprint? Take the Climate Stewards pledge on the Washington State Department of Ecology’s website..