How Can I Help Climate Change Impacts?
Facing the Climate Crisis: What You Can Do Now at Home.

Reading Time: 8 minutes
Do you wonder, “How can I help climate change impacts?” Learn sustainable changes for how to prevent global warming effects at home.
by Dana Benner
If you watch the news, you’ll see bad things happening around us. A massive heat wave in Texas, the drought in California followed by record snows, severe tornados in the Midwest, and flooding rains in the East; it goes on and on. While all these natural occurrences can be considered normal, they all seem to be getting worse; stronger and fiercer. There’s nothing normal about farm fields drying up one minute and crop-damaging floods the next. We’re facing a climate crisis, and as bad as things are now, they’ll get worse if we don’t do something about it. The data is out there, and it doesn’t look good. One thing the data shows is that most of these problems are of our own doing. We, collectively, are the cause, and we, collectively, are part of the solution.

It’s easy to blame big business, the oil companies, the agri-business, and even our government for this problem, but even though they’re a major cause, they aren’t alone. As long as we burn fossil fuels; load our lawns, gardens, and farm fields with chemicals and wastewater; clear forests for shopping malls; and purchase plastic junk, it won’t end. There’s no incentive for these big corporations, driven by profits, to change; we all know we can’t rely upon the government to do the right thing. If we want things to change, we must do it right here at the grassroots level.
This article is about what we do at the Benner homestead and what I’ve learned from others. It’s an effort that isn’t without its flaws, but it’s better than sitting back and waiting for someone else to do something.
Weaning Off Fossil Fuels
None of us can remember a time without fossil fuels; it’s as much a part of our modern lives as baseball and apple pie. Yet, it’s our use, and yes, reliance on fossil fuels, that has put us in the position we find ourselves in now. We generate heat and electricity using petroleum-based fuels. The fertilizers and other chemicals used in our fields, gardens, and lawns are made from petrochemicals. Those huge SUVs that many people drive around town are fueled by gas or diesel. Even the synthetic material used in clothing is made from petroleum. Getting away from these products and the problems that arise will take a major change on our part.
How to Prevent Global Warming at Home
We’re trying to cut back on all aspects of using petroleum-based products. We heat our home primarily with a pellet stove and have an oil backup system. Yes, I realize that burning wood products adds carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, but the pellets I use are locally sourced, and I even made a trip to where they’re made to ensure they’re sustainable. Is it 100% perfect? No, but it’s a start. My daughter has taken it even further by installing a solar system at her home. This is something I’m considering for the near future.

We’ve changed all light bulbs to energy-efficient LEDs, and we turn off and unplug all lights and electronics that aren’t in use. All of our appliances are Energy Star rated as high as possible. Our home is also fully insulated to help reduce energy use year-round. Regarding cooling in the summer, we use ceiling fans as much as possible.
Recently, I made a trip to Montana and visited Bodhi Farms, located outside of Bozeman, to see how they run a high-quality resort while being environmentally friendly. Guests stay in high-end tents that stay cool due to their location at the edge of a wooded area near a running creek. Guests stay comfortable using the shade, cool water, and ceiling fans in every tent. All lights on the property have LED bulbs, and walkway lights are solar-powered. Bodhi Farms grows a great deal of their food and prepare it in an outdoor kitchen fueled by wood. My visit gave me some ideas I could take home, and boosted my faith that we can make it all work without suffering.
Being Climate Conscious Outside
I stopped using all commercial fertilizers and chemicals on my property. I use only compost in my garden and plant various crops to keep everything diverse. The crops I grow are all heirlooms, which are hardier.

I replaced part of my lawn with fruit trees and beneficial plants that attract pollinators and other wildlife. I’ve also allowed part of my property to naturally re-wild itself. What lawn I still have, I allow to grow a bit longer between mowing, and I compost the grass clippings. I’ve slowly replaced gas-powered outdoor tools (mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, etc.) with rechargeable electric models or returned to hand tools. While I have electric construction tools, I often use hand tools instead.
Traveling Sustainably
Where I live, public transportation is all but non-existent, and rural living requires that I have a pickup to get supplies to the homestead. As the truck is not the best for fuel economy, I’ve added a hybrid car I use the most. The car saves gas and cuts down on carbon dioxide emissions. No matter which vehicle I use, every trip involves planning so I can get as many errands done at once and use as little fuel as possible. We also walk or bike when possible.

I travel a great deal, and in some cases, I do need to fly, but I try to incorporate as many jobs into these trips as possible. Wherever I go, if public transportation is available, I use it. A good case in point is a trip I made to New Orleans. Public transportation is the best way to get around there, and I took full advantage of it. Doing so not only saved fuel but also saved me money and headaches.
Food Impacts
I hunt, fish, and grow as much of the food we eat as I can, but I do have to purchase some food from elsewhere. When I need to buy food, I like to get it from local farmers if possible. Purchasing locally produced meat, eggs, milk, and other items supports the local economy and cuts down on the fuel used to transport this produce to market. Besides, it tastes better.
Where your food comes from is just as important as how you preserve what you have. Most people use plastic wraps, bags, and storage containers to store food. Using plastic is where you go wrong. While in Montana, I ran into the people at Alpine Peaks Country Store. I learned about beeswax-infused cotton fabric to form reusable food wraps. They’re much more environmentally friendly than plastic, easy to use, and compostable. After use, rinse in cold water and reuse. Don’t wash in hot water, in a dishwasher, or put in the microwave. Obviously, heat will make the beeswax melt.

Closer to home, I found a company, Bee’s Wrap in Middlebury, Vermont, that also makes them. You can’t go wrong if you order from Alpine Peaks or Bee’s Wrap. If you aren’t already using these wraps, check them out.
Clothing and Other Goods
Look at the tag on your shirt or the markings under your coffee cup. I bet they say it’s made in China, Vietnam, or some other faraway place. Most of the clothing, cameras, computers, and other things we use are made in factories using “cheap” labor, in unsafe working conditions, and with no rules about being environmentally friendly. My family has decided to try to stop purchasing non-American products as much as possible, which is easier said than done. I only walk into a discount store if I absolutely have to; most of the products they sell are made overseas.
Don’t rely upon the manufacturers being American companies, either. Companies such Levi and Wrangler have most of their clothing made overseas. Those iconic “American” jeans aren’t made in the United States. All of these and other products must be shipped here in huge cargo ships that burn tons of cheap, unclean fossil fuel. All of this to save a buck and turn a profit.

Get More Information
Plenty of information is out there if you take the time to look. Some comes from state and federal scientists, and some comes from international organizations. They all agree that we’re in trouble. What follows are four books that I’ve turned to in my search for answers.
- The Climate Book by Greta Thunberg. This book will truly open your eyes.
- Regenesis: Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet by George Monbiot. Monbiot discusses the big industrial giant, commercial factory farms, and how they affect the world we live in. Does the name Monsanto ring a bell?
- Perilous Bounty by Tom Philpott discusses American monoculture farming and how it’s failing in the name of money. This book will open your eyes to where our food is coming from.
- The Water Will Come by Jeff Goodell discusses what we’re facing now due to the climate crisis. Entire coastal cities must rethink what we’re doing because they’re already experiencing it.
How Can I Help Prevent Climate Change?
If you haven’t figured it out, the common denominator here is money. As long as we keep buying and profits stay high, then the petroleum companies, shipping companies, chemical companies, clothing manufacturers, industrial monoculture farms, and the like will do nothing to help solve our problems. If we stop buying, start recycling, start reusing, and do those things I mentioned, we’ll hit them where hurts them the most: the wallet. Only then will they listen, and only then will they do something.
Everything you and I do will have an effect. Perhaps, if we pull together, we’ll help stop that next mega-drought or flood. Who knows? I do know that if we don’t do something, we’re all in a world of hurt, and I, for one, don’t plan on going down without a fight.
Dana Benner has been writing about all aspects of the outdoors, homesteading, gardening, and history for over 35 years with his work appearing in regional, national, and international publications, both in print and online.
Originally published in the May/June 2024 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.