We are seeing lots of discouraging news about climate change these days, from even more devastating natural disasters to politicians refusing to finance research and actions to combat global warming. Rather than give up hope, we need to do all we can to reduce our own activities that add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Our choices generate about 20% of these emissions. Katharine Hayhoe has lots of suggestions for ways we can make a difference and protect what we love.  See her YouTube interview for ideas.

One suggestion is to carefully plan our vacations this summer. Tourism accounts for almost 2% of heat-trapping gas emissions. Hayhoe suggests that we fly less, travel less far, prioritize non-stop flights (take-offs and landings burn much of the fuel), choose eco-certified or locally run accommodations, and talk about how you are making choices that help the climate.  Check out the “Top 15 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in 2025.”

And in other news: New Climate Research

Climate models explain observed weakening of a major ocean current system known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the drying of the southern Amazon rainforest, both considered tipping points in the changing climate caused by the burning of fossil fuels. New research reported in Environmental Research Letters shows these two tipping points have the potential to moderate each other. The weakening AMOC current has caused increased rainfall in the southern Amazon forest. The new model shows that the AMOC decrease offset 17% of the dry season rainfall decrease from 1982 to 2022. Changes in these systems have major impacts on people and wildlife, but their interaction gives us more time to adapt to changes and reduce greenhouse gases. 

Photo: https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-poster-from-the-natural-resources-and-environmental-4726ec Public Domain