I don\u2019t doubt the laid-bare evidence nor the overwhelming expert testimony that Earth is in for a world of hurt. Climate change is already wreaking havoc on life around the globe. This isn\u2019t an intangible, theoretical possibility. It\u2019s real. You probably know someone who is already being forced to adapt to it, sometimes in the wake of disaster. Heck, that might be you.<\/p>\n
But it\u2019s also hugely politicized, and cars have become a part of that philosophical fight. In the midst of politicization, misinformation and plain, old doom fatigue, it can feel helpless even to those of us with the best of intentions. Thankfully \u2014 or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it \u2014 the vehicles we drive are only a small part of the climate problem\/solution equation. So let\u2019s take it back to basics.<\/p>\n
But first, let us acknowledge, that, yes, EVs can make a substantial difference in mitigating our effects on climate change<\/a>. But don\u2019t go out and buy an EV if you have a perfectly working car you like already. Drive that thing into the ground \u2014 or until you feel like passing it along to someone else to drive into the ground \u2014 then<\/em> go buy an EV.<\/p>\n In the meantime, there are lots of things you can do to help mitigate climate change, many of which you were taught in elementary school. Plant a tree, or be mindful in how your lifestyle can help prevent forests from destruction. Fix and reuse everything you can. Reduce your consumption of electricity and unnecessary consumer goods. Ride a bike or walk when you can. All that helps.<\/p>\n Nowadays there are more options that weren\u2019t available when you were taught to simply reduce, reuse and recycle (that last one being a whole \u2018nother bugaboo<\/a> itself). Home solar is more widely available and affordable now, and can make a big difference depending on where you live. Improved HVAC technologies allow us to save money while using less energy. It\u2019s easier than ever to consume less meat<\/a> with little compromise, which has a bigger effect than you probably think<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also easier than ever to save energy at home with things like LED lights and energy-efficient appliances. Do what you can to preserve green spaces, whether it\u2019s voting, donating or spending your money on entrance to a national park. That weekend trip to your state\u2019s hidden gem will save you money \u2014 and carbon emissions<\/a> \u2014 compared to a flight somewhere. Invest in globally and socially responsible companies. Encourage your kids to take interest in science \u2014 they just might find the breakthrough we need.<\/p>\n It\u2019s never too late to do something<\/em>, but it\u2019s already too late to do nothing. And we should maybe think about doing all we can at this point if we want a habitable future for our grandchildren. EV\u2019s aren\u2019t a panacea; they\u2019re a minority but critical part of the solution, at least for now. But there are simpler and more impactful things we can be doing than changing what we drive to help stave off climate destruction, at least until we can find a technological silver bullet or give up altogether.<\/p>\n Of course, not everybody can do everything, especially all at once. And even myself and like-minded climate realists won\u2019t take every helpful mitigating action until it becomes inconvenient not to. But it\u2019s more convenient and self-beneficial than ever before to reduce your footprint.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to give up the good life to help preserve the climate.<\/p>\n Start by picking the easy things you can do to help. Find the ones that sound fun, or at least inconsequential to your current quality of life and convenience. Do consider an EV for your next car, but only if the economic and practical reality means it\u2019ll fit your lifestyle. Maybe you\u2019re a one-car household, and you drive too far for work, family and recreation for an EV to make sense where you live, especially considering infrastructure constraints. At least for now, especially if there’s something easier or more impactful you can do to shrink your footprint.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t have to do everything<\/em>. You don\u2019t have to do anything, either, but that\u2019s not going to help our grandchildren live in a better world. But if you want to, there are things you can do, and they don\u2019t have to be burdensome, or be some sort of political referendum on the American lifestyle. They can even be fun (like making you next <\/em>car an EV \u2014 you\u2019ll love it). And we should probably all at least be doing something. It\u2019s never been easier.<\/p>\n Related Video<\/strong><\/p>\n