Solutions in the Mix:

Developed for the Ocean Change Education – Aquarium

Network

A project supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services

Americans…

• Do not understand man-made causes and solutions

• Need more information and efficacy for preventive and adaptive policy solutions

• Are turned off by partisan tone of debate

(based on information from the FrameWorks Institute)

• Believe global warming is real

• Understand negative consequences

Solutions at three levels:

• Policy

• Community

• Personal

3 Fingers Climate Change Agents

Policy-level Solutions

Examples:

• fuel economy standards

• national building codes

• appliance efficiency codes

• national fees for pollution

• Cap and trade

• “Smart” grid

Community/State-level Solutions

Sample Topics:• zoning rules for

residential and business properties

• public transit infrastructure

• local/regional building codes

• renewable energy portfolio standards

• net metering laws

Facilitate dialogue and education

Individual/Household-level SolutionsGardener and Stern’s list: “No or low-cost”

Transportation:• Carpool with one other person• Get frequent tune-ups• Alter driving to avoid sudden acceleration and stops• Combine errands to half of current “errand-miles”• Maintain correct tire pressure

In the home:• Lighting: replace 85% of incandescents with CFLs or

LEDs• Space conditioning: turn heat down from 72 to 68

during the day and to 65 at night; A/C: turn up from 73 to 78

• Clothes washing: use only cold or warm and only cold rinse

Gerald T. Gardner and Paul C. Stern, 2009, The Short List: The Most Effective Actions U.S. Households Can Take to Curb Climate Change. Viewed Jun 6, 2011 at http://www.environmentmagazine.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/September-October%202008/gardner-stern-full.html

Individual/Household-level Solutions

Gardener and Stern’s list:

Transportation:• buy low-rolling resistance

tires• buy a more fuel efficient

automobile

In the home:• space and water heating:

install a more efficient heater• space conditioning:

caulk/weather strip home

Gerald T. Gardner and Paul C. Stern, 2009, The Short List: The Most Effective Actions U.S. Households Can Take to Curb Climate Change. Viewed Jun 6, 2011 at http://www.environmentmagazine.org/Archives/Back%20Issues/September-October%202008/gardner-stern-full.html

“long-term or higher cost”

• refrigeration/freezing: install a more efficient unit• space conditioning: install/upgrade attic insulation and ventilation

A good solution…

• addresses the problem at hand• is scaled for success• is possible to implement• doesn’t create a new, greater problem

Next Steps

Learn

Practice

Share

Assess

(repeat)

Resources:

• The Consumers' Guide to Effective Environmental Choices by Michael Brower and Warren Leon

• The Short List: The Most Effective Actions U.S. Households Can Take to Curb Climate Change by Gerald T. Gardner and Paul C. Stern

• Kevin Knoblock’s testimony to House Committee: http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090422/testimony_knobloch.pdf

• Your household energy bills