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Most Georgians and most people in the U.S. are concerned about climate change and/or air pollution, according to the Yale Climate Communications survey. It is something that can leave us feeling powerless because it is such a big issue. We often don’t know what tangible actions that we can take. Here is a roadmap that you can take this year, and almost everyone can do at least one of these items.
#1. Pledge to electrify your household. Electrification is a great way to wean ourselves off methane gas and can improve indoor air quality. A bonus is that if you electrify everything, you can stop paying the gas company $ 528 per year just for the hook-up. For all Georgia residents, state rebates are available now to electrify your household with heat pumps, which are more energy efficient. For Decatur residents, you can sign up for the Electrify Decatur program. You can set up a virtual call with someone who can walk you through the process. The city has already vetted contractors, so you don’t have to!
#2. VOTE in May and November. Major elections will occur this year. This is your chance to consciously select decision makers! Many people don’t vote in primaries and your choice to vote can have the most impact. The most important election will be the lesser-known Georgia Public Service Commission election. These five regulators determine our energy sources and cost, so their decisions affect your pocketbook and how much fossil fuels we keep burning.
Yes, we had an election in 2024, but two seats of the five-seat commission are up for election this year. For those who voted last year, Peter Hubbard will be on the ballot again due to a change in the election schedule for his district. The Georgia Senate and Governor’s races are also important. Don’t pass up your chance to voice your opinion. If you haven’t registered to vote, do so now, and if you need help, just contact us, and we can help! Mark your calendars for May 19 and Nov. 3, or do early voting. Encourage your friends to vote.
#3. Advocate-it takes less than 5 minutes! We will have some advocacy opportunities this year, such as for a “Consumer Utility Counsel” that will be in the State legislature. This would help make rooftop solar easier and cheaper for homeowners to implement and to advocate for consumer price protections. Join us at Decatur Cares about Climate, and we will continue to send out action alerts. These policies may sound boring, but they are so impactful. A few calls to local lawmakers can make a big difference, and it literally takes 5 minutes or less of your time.
#4. Consider rooftop solar. For those who are able, you can also consider implementing rooftop solar, which has drastically reduced in price, and creates no noise, soot, or carbon pollution, and enables leaner infrastructure needs. And we manufacture solar right here in Georgia.
#5. Compost. Last year, 544 residents in Avondale participated in a compost pilot program. Through the program, over 136 thousand pounds of food waste were diverted from the landfill. This avoided over 14,000 pounds of methane in the atmosphere, which was the carbon dioxide emissions equivalent of avoiding driving from Atlanta to Los Angeles and back 91 times. You can compost on your own for free or pay for a service. Information here.
#6. Volunteer with us. Our organization, Decatur Cares about Climate, was designed to bring neighbors together to take collective action. We regularly attend festivals and other events in Decatur. We have volunteer opportunities for introverts/extroverts, people with little or a lot of time. High school students are welcome, and we can provide you with service hours. Email us at decaturclimate@gmail.com, and we will find an opportunity that works for you.
PREETI JAGGI/PROVIDED
So, there you have it. As Jane Goodall said, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you must decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Happy New Year. Let’s have a positive impact on our community in 2026 and every year going forward.
Sincerely,
Preeti Jaggi