Climate change can feel a bit overwhelming, making it hard to know what one person can do. You do not need to be a scientist or an activist to make a difference. The truth is that every little positive action taken can have big impacts. Here are some easy and low-cost ways to make a difference in your own home or neighborhood. 

• Plant trees: Shade trees not only bestow beauty to future generations but also offer shade, purify the air by removing pollutants, and provide essential habitat. Some communities in Ventura County offer recycled water and tree watering bags to help out with the cost of maintenance. Check with your local city public works department.
• Soften landscapes: Break up paved driveways and other hard surfaces to facilitate stormwater infiltration. Consider replacing traditional lawns with Ocean Friendly Gardens to promote environmentally conscious landscaping.
• Reduce energy consumption: The production of electricity for modern conveniences, such as computers, air conditioners, and electric
  
  vehicles, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Adopting best practices, such as using power strips to shut down electronics when not in use, implementing passive solar methods at home, and investing in energy-efficient appliances, can save both money and the planet. Find out more about energy efficiency and weatherization resources at Energy.gov. You can also access Home weatherization and Energy conservation resources from the County of Ventura.
• 
  Discuss climate change: While over half of registered voters acknowledge the significance of addressing climate change, fewer than forty percent actively engage in conversations about it. According to research conducted by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, fifty-six percent of registered voters prioritize global warming as a high or very high concern, with seventy-five percent supporting the teaching of its causes and consequences in schools. Explore the study and learn about the "Six Americas" at Yale Climate Change Communication.

While it can feel like individual actions can not solve global issues, consider that every little bit contributes to a collective impact. Not unlike natural ecosystems, which are made up of biotic and abiotic factors with a wide range of interactions between species, human communities behave similarly. Without these interactions and exchanges, a system will eventually fail to operate efficiently. So, go out there and find your niche and be part of the solution!