These are tips on how to be healthy and promote a healthy community as our climate changes. Related resources you might be interested in include preparing for severe weather and natural disasters and the Department of Ecology's how to reduce greenhouse gases.
Climate Actions to Support Mental Health
Be Kind to Your Mind
You don't have to do everything! Focus on what's most important to you. The climate crisis is a huge challenge and it can feel overwhelming. But one of the best ways to support your mental health is to take action on climate - like the steps you see on this webpage. For more resources, see the American Psychiatric Association’s Climate Change and Mental Health Connections.
Get Creative
Climate change isn't just about energy efficiency and carbon sequestration. Explore ideas, feelings, and art. For inspiration, check out the Art x Climate Gallery that accompanied the Fifth National Climate Assessment.
Go Outside
Evidence suggests spending time in nature can support mental health and wellbeing. Check out the latest research on nature and health connections from University of Washington or look into Park Rx. Getting outside more may even reveal ways you can support habitat resilience in your own community. State and Local Conservation Districts and Washington State Parks offer opportunities to get involved.
Climate Actions to Improve Heart and Lung Health
Walk, Bike, Transit, and Roll
Try alternative sources of transportation, such as walking, biking, carpooling, or taking public transit. If possible, choose a fuel-efficient or electric car. Choosing active transportation not only gives your heart and lungs the benefit of exercise but also reduces air pollution – helping the hearts and lungs of other people in your community. Learn more about active transportation, WSDOT.
Have a Plan for Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke can stress the cardiovascular system. Make a plan for how to stay safe during a heat wave or wildfire smoke event. Our smoke from fires page shows how to make a clean air room that can address indoor air quality issues year round.
Consider Electric Appliances and Vehicles
Gas appliances like stoves can negatively impact indoor air quality and respiratory health. Gas vehicles and other gas appliances like hot water heaters and furnaces can negatively impact your neighborhood’s air quality. Replacing these items with electric ones can improve both indoor and your area's air quality. The Washington Climate Action website has information about state and federal incentives for making these changes.
Climate Actions to Prevent Infections and Illness
Avoid Bugs That Can Make You Sick
Climate is changing for not only people but also for bugs. Certain ticks and mosquitoes may spread into new areas and can carry diseases like West Nile virus or Lyme disease. Avoid grassy, brushy, and wooded areas or be prepared with protective clothing and bug spray.
Check the Pollen Levels
Pollen seasons are getting longer and more severe with climate change. Check local pollen levels using the PollenWise app. The app can help you learn what time of year and what time of day pollen levels are high. You can even look at specific weeds, trees, and grasses you are allergic to. A portable air cleaner can help reduce pollen levels inside your home.
Practice Food Safety Smarts
Good food safety practices are essential for preventing foodborne illness any time, and a shifting climate may make that even more important. Temperature, precipitation, and humidity can influence the spread and persistence of some pathogens, such as Salmonella. A hotter than usual day might heat up that turkey and mayo sandwich in your backpack faster than you think. Extreme weather, like a storm or heatwave, can interrupt electrical power to refrigeration, and even disrupt food transport and harvest processes, which can make food spoil faster.
Avoid foodborne illnesses by making sure to clean, separate, cook, and chill, whether you’re planning summer season barbeques and picnics or preparing for power outages.
Avoid Harmful Algae
For current cyanotoxin levels and advisories on harmful cyanobacteria in freshwater, see the NW Toxic Algae website. Staying informed can prevent exposure to cyanotoxins, which can have chronic and acute health effects on humans and animals.
Check the Department of Health’s Shellfish Map or call the 24-hour Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 for marine biotoxin closure zones and where to safely go for recreational shellfish harvesting. Harmful algal blooms in marine environments can produce marine biotoxins, which can then be ingested by shellfish, a concern for human consumption that is elevated during warmer months.
Climate Actions for Your Brain
Books, Movies, and Learning More
There are lots of books, movie and TV shows, podcasts, and webinars to learn more about climate change. If you don’t know where to start, check out Oregon State University's Climate Resources List (PDF) and Climate & Capital Media's sci-fi books and films.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Want to learn something new and participate in a rewarding project?
Submit a tick to us to help us monitor tick activity throughout the state and alert us to any new tick species that have made their way to Washington.
Join the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow Network to help monitor how precipitation is changing in your area.
Report a freshwater algal bloom or partner with Sound Toxins to monitor algal blooms in saltwater. Harmful algal blooms, or toxic algae, is becoming more common in our waterways. Testing these blooms can help prevent people and pets from getting sick.
Join MeadoWatch to identify when wildflowers are blooming around Mt. Rainier. By learning to identify over a dozen wildflowers, you help inform conservation decisions at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Check out the citizen science opportunities at Washington State University and at the University of Washington.
Climate Actions for Overall Health and Wellbeing
Eat Healthy Foods
Healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans tend to have the lowest environmental impacts. To reduce your carbon footprint even more, purchase local, in-season products when possible. This is a place where what’s good for your body is also good for the planet. Check out our Healthy Eating page and Health and Human Service's Healthy Eating for more information.
EBT/SNAP shoppers can use SNAP Market Match to purchase healthy local foods at farmers markets and farm stands throughout Washington.
Community Climate Action
Vote!
Voting is your chance to stand up for the issues you care about. Make a positive impact for yourself, your family, and for future generations by supporting ballot measures and candidates that share your values. You can also write or call your government representatives about climate action. The power of collective action can be a force to behold! Register (or update your registration) to vote.
Host a Climate Speaker at your Event
If you are a teacher, community organizer, or event planner and want to have someone come and speak about climate change and health, email us and let us know what you are looking for. We have experts in wildfire smoke, indoor air quality, entomology, harmful algal blooms, extreme heat, climate justice, and more.
Speak Up
Most Americans are concerned about climate change and are motivated to do something about it. According to Yale's Project on Global Warmings Six Americas, only 22% of Americans are doubtful or dismissive of climate change, while 57% are concerned or alarmed, with the rest somewhere between. Learn how climate change impacts your community from UW and talk to others about it.
Join a Group or Club
Change can be hard, but it's often easier when you have others making similar changes around you. There are several climate focused clubs at the global, national, and local levels you can join. You can also take action with your friends and family at home. Chances are there are others who share your similar climate interests and are already working toward solutions – all you need to do is find out how you can contribute!
Go to a Meeting
Adapting to climate change will take all of us. Ask your city council, parent teacher association, or local employer what they are doing to address climate change and then promote positive change.