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 Solutions Gardener 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 full.html 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 full.html 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: stimony_knobloch.pdf stimony_knobloch.pdf Your household energy bills