CLIMATE POLICIES
Here are the backgrounds of some effective climate policies that you can advocate for.
REDUCING THE USE OF HFCS
Hydrofluorocarbons, also known as HFCs, are pollutants that have relatively short lifetimes but can be thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide. Beyond advocating for states to commit to HFC reduction goals, advocating for higher energy efficiency standards for ACs can also effective.
ENCOURAGING ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION
Americans are driving more miles than ever using gas-powered cars that release tons of carbon emissions. Going electric will be difficult, but advocating for policies such as expanded federal tax credits for electric vehicles or direct grants to state/local governments to build charging-station networks can speed up the process.
SETTING LOCAL EMISSION GOALS
Climate change is a far-reaching issue. While national legislation is effective, encouraging local governments to adopt goals & thresholds to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is just as effective in combatting climate change.
PREVENTING FOOD WASTE
Food waste plays a major role in climate change and it's a relatively unsolved issue. Several policies can be used to address this issue such as food waste bans and restrictions on food in landfills. These policies encourage composting (food recycling) and essentially force states to avoid unnecessary food production or imports.
INCENTIVIZING CARBON CAPTURE FARMING
Food production contributes a sizeable amount of carbon to the atmosphere. Much of this comes from farming, and a key way to reduce farming emissions is to incentivize carbon farming, which are a set of practices that focus on sequestering and storing carbon in soil. Not only does carbon farming substantially reduce carbon emissions, but its practices can improve soil health and crop yield.
ADOPTING A CARBON TAX
Possibly one of the most politically unusable climate change policies, putting a price on carbon is a sweeping policy that would replace gas taxes and tax the emissions produced by major companies. Not only would it provide the US a major boost in satisfying the emissions threshold of the Paris Accord, but it would also allow for a "rip-the-Band-Aid" approach to going green.
GENERATING COMPETITION FOR ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES
Right now, many electric fields are dominated by a select few companies like how Tesla dominates the electric car field. By advocating for policies that encourage and support competition, not only are there more electric options to choose from, but the competition spurs the research and production of advanced, low-cost electric products.
PASSING A GREEN NEW DEAL
A Green New Deal would substantially improve the US's chances in our fight against climate change. This legislation could upgrade power grids, create environmentally-efficient buildings, spur a complete transition from fossil fuels, and turn the US into a leader on climate change action. A sizeable Green New deal would require government action on a scale rarely seen but could usher in an era of climate peace.