Climate Resolutions 2023: How will you make a difference next year?
Hearing news about climate change can be daunting. But even on a personal level, there are many ways you can help. We know resolutions are easier to follow when you have accountability partners, so we reached out to our elected officials, community leaders, experts, and Columbia students to find out what their plans are for the coming year.
Let their determination inspire you, or come up with some of your own. There are small steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint, including composting your food waste, choosing to buy from environmentally responsible companies, or switching to more energy-efficient products.If you need additional advice, check out these 37 easy ways Reduce your personal greenhouse gas emissions.
How will you resolve to nurture our planet in 2023?
photo: Markus Spisk on Pexels
The responses below have been edited for length and clarity.
Hear from Columbia University faculty, staff and students:
Daniel A. ZariliSpecial Advisor on Climate and Sustainable Development at Columbia University: “The reality of our climate crisis is stark. Yet too many of us are thought to be alone with our worries, so we don’t talk about it with friends and family as often. Learning from each other, sharing concerns and working together to find solutions shouldn’t So hard. By 2023, I am determined to encourage others to feel more comfortable talking about what is happening around us and what we can do to fix it.”
Alex HallidayFounding Dean Columbia Climate School: “I plan to eat less red meat in 2023.” Reducing red meat consumption is easy, but important A step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Radhika IyengarSenior Scholar at Columbia Climate Institute Sustainable Development Center: “I cook the last chili very carefully.” (Iyengar refers to her experience of staying home during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on biodiversity and food waste, and seeing the last green pepper in the freezer. read her full story here.)
photo: Sarah Chai on Pexels
Kate MosinkA student of MS Sustainable development Director of Women and Sustainability Programs and Engagement, a student body dedicated to empowering women leaders in sustainability: “My current resolution for 2023 is to reduce plastic consumption as much as possible. Some first steps would be to get refillable dish soap, shampoo, etc. Also, I would like to try to eat more imperfect foods.” Eight years ago I became vegan and I wanted to try and find a service where I could get products that were deemed unsuitable for grocery stores so they didn’t end up in landfill!”
Emma Lauterbacha student studying for a master’s degree Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology program: “One of my resolutions is to stop buying personal care products in plastic packaging – soap, toothpaste, lip balm. It’s so wasteful and I want to explore more sustainable options for my everyday life.”
lion ziskaAssociate Professor of Environmental Health Sciences Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health: “My resolution is to become more aware of my carbon footprint and consider ways to reduce it—from transportation options to menu planning.”
Jeffrey Schlegelmilchdirector National Disaster Preparedness Center At Columbia Climate School: “My resolution is to do better at the Rubik’s Cube. I often use it as an analogy to how we think about policy for disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Sometimes it gets better and sometimes it gets worse. When we focus too much on the problems in front of us, we neglect to empathize with others affected by our decisions. In fact, I’m really bad at Rubik’s Cube, always It’s the sticker that needs to be ripped off to “win”. There might be a deeper metaphor at work here. Or maybe there isn’t, I just want to finally beat that damn cube…”
Josh NordiffClimate Justice Writer and Masters Student climate and society program: “Battling the climate crisis can be physically and mentally exhausting. This year, I want to develop healthier ways to take care of myself while learning how narratives can advance the most equitable climate solutions.”
Kyle Popeeditor and publisher, columbia news review; Co-Founder and Chairman, report climate now: “My new year’s hope for climate is that the world’s media will finally recognize that they are part of the climate solution. For too long, the media’s efforts to cover the climate crisis have been disproportionate to the scale of the problem. That is finally starting to change, but there is still much Work to be done. This is the most important story in our lives and newsrooms need to reflect that in their reporting.”
Andrew Revkinfounding director of the Columbia Climate Institute Communication and Sustainability Initiatives: “I am determined to focus our communications efforts on responding to the compelling call for climate action we made last spring sustain what webcast By Jigar Shah, Director, Office of Lending Programs, U.S. Department of Energy. With the passage of bipartisan infrastructure laws, thousands of communities can now reduce climate vulnerability, energy budgets and heat capture emissions, Shah said, requiring sustained efforts at the local level. The $370 billion for clean energy in the Lower Inflation Act that President Biden signed into law in August greatly magnifies this opportunity. For communicators, whether in journalism, the climate movement, or universities, the task is no longer storytelling.this is Fostering Community Connections resources, expertise and local decision makers, with a special focus on those most in need and vulnerable.Our Sustainability Communications Network will be help here 2023, but this work will only be effective if scholars, students, scientists and staff committed to climate progress are involved. “
photo: Akil Mazond on Pexels
What our community leaders and elected officials have said:
Emily Maxwelldirector The Nature Conservancy’s New York City Plan: “By 2023, I will redouble my efforts to advance climate justice and ensure that urban forests and green roof Get funded and get a fair share, and be an ally to all who are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cooking and sharing delicious, climate-friendly meals. “
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.: “By 2023, I will continue to work to ensure that Queens is on the front lines of the fight against climate change by driving intersectional projects that affect us all now and in the near future. We know that fighting for a better tomorrow encompasses every aspect of our lives , including composting for all, open streets, and equitable access to clean water and air.”
Senator Robert Jackson of New York: “My resolve is to move New York toward green jobs, reduce our carbon footprint, and properly fund the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act so corporate polluters can pay for a just transition, and people like the one I represent Communities of color like ours can benefit from job retraining programs, energy technology R&D, and environmental justice.”
Daniel O’Donnell, Member of the New York State Assembly: “I am determined to integrate climate justice into the fight against climate change. This means that large institutional players have an important role to play in strengthening and addressing historical inequalities. Even as we take aggressive action to reduce emissions, we cannot ignore the impact that climate change is already having on the The impacts on marginalized communities range from sweltering summers and colder winters to more frequent torrential rains. Addressing historical inequalities through the lens of racial and economic justice is a top priority when developing climate solutions.We of working-class and communities of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by climate change — and this must end.”
peggy shepardCo-founder and Executive Director We act for environmental justice: “My New Year’s resolution is to make sure the city, state, and federal governments meet their climate goals. For example, I want to make sure New York City meets the emissions reduction goals it set in Local Law 97 of 2019, which requires buildings larger than 25,000 square feet reduce emissions from buildings by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. My staff and I will also closely monitor the implementation of New York City’s Local Law No. 154 of 2021, which mandates, beginning in January, New buildings under seven stories must be all-electric. Buildings emit approximately 70 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the city, so it is critical that we meet these goals. At the state level, I am determined to prioritize Consider funding and policies to help us meet the emissions reduction mandate set out in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act – cut economy-wide emissions by 40% or more by 2030 and 85% below 1990 levels by 2050 . This is one of the most ambitious climate laws in the world, and my goal is to make sure the country delivers on its commitments.”
New York City Council member Shaun Abreu: “I am determined to do my part to promote composting and community gardens. These practices can help us reduce waste and grow healthy local produce. Together we can invest in our health and our future.”
