This coming Saturday, the third annual “Earth Hour” will take place. Homes around the world will shut off their power for one hour, in the name of raising awareness about climate change. Helping people become more cognizant of climate change is a crucial part of tackling the climate crisis — “part” being the key word here.  Increased knowledge about our human impact on global warming alone won’t solve the climate crisis. Awareness efforts like this one can stimulate the conversation, but they must be coupled with real ways for people to act and reduce our collective climate footprint. Greener World Media’s Joel Makower (also a Climate Counts board member) captures this idea in a GreenBiz.com post today: “Taking Care of Business.”
And here’s a few ideas to help you put your knowledge into action:

- Shop consciously. Vote with your dollars. Use your purchasing power to demand corporate climate responsibility.
- Look at ways you can permanently reduce you footprint in your home, office, and throughout your community. (Our friends at Together.com and No Impact Man can give you a few ideas to get started.)
- Raise your voice. Start petitions; email company executives; contact your elected officials and local utilities; and tap expanding social networks like Twitter to demand industry action and government policy on climate. Make sure meaningful climate action doesn’t get overlooked amidst the current economic crisis.
- And finally, make what you’re doing known. By talking, blogging, and communicating about your actions to fight climate change, you can set a real example for your fellow citizens to make changes in their lives.