Reduce Climate Change
​​​​​​​10.Plant native, drought-resistant trees and shrubs around your home and your outdoor air conditioning unit.
For more information,
visit the Environmental
Protection Agency's
climate change website.
9.Use an electric or push mower instead of a gasoline-powered mower to cut your lawn.
8.Replace your current home appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher) as needed with high-efficiency models.
7.Buy food and other products with reusable, recyclable and/or minimal packaging instead of those in non-recyclable packaging.
6.Replace incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs or LEDs.
Note: Please recycle your used incandescent, CFL, or LED bulbs. These items should NOT be discarded in your curbside waste or recycling bins. Instead, take these used items to local recycling centers. Since CFL bulbs contain mercury, it is especially important to recycle CFL bulbs to prevent the release of mercury into the environment.
5.When possible, install a solar heated system to provide your hot water.
4.Recycle your home's paper, cardboard, glass, metal, and other easily-recyclable materials.
3.Leave your car at home when possible (walk, bike, or use mass transit instead).
2.Insulate your home properly, clean your air-conditioning filters regularly, and install showerheads and/or toilets that use less water.
  The number one thing you can do to help reduce the effects of climate change is...
1.Purchase a fuel-efficient car (rated at 32 mpg or more) or a hybrid/electric vehicle when it is time to replace your most frequently-used car.


You can also visit Broward County's climate change website to see what local governments are doing to help reduce the impacts of Climate Change.

Climate Change: What it is and what you can do

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the term climate change is sometimes used interchangeably with the term global warming. However, according to the National Academy of Sciences, "the phrase 'climate change' has grown in preferred use to 'global warming' because it helps convey that there are other changes in addition to rising temperatures."

Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period of time (decades or longer).

Climate Change can result from:

  • natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun
  • natural processes within the climate system (i.e. changes in the circulation patterns of ocean water)
  • human activities that change the atmosphere's composition (i.e. through burning of fossil fuels) and the land surface (i.e. deforestation, reforestation, urbanization, desertification, etc.)

According to NASA​ (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) data, Earth's average temperature has risen more than 1.2 degrees Celsius (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since the late 19th century. According to NOAA​ (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) data, the warmest global average temperatures on record occurred in 2024.

Most of the warming in recent decades is the result of human activities. Other aspects of the climate are also changing, such as rainfall patterns, wildfires, snow as well as ice cover, and sea level. Ride a Bicycle instead of using a car

Because of its low elevations and extensive coastline, Florida is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels.

You can help reduce climate change!

  • Buy energy efficient products
  • Conserve energy at home and at work
  • Plant trees
  • Reduce, reuse, and recycle
  • Make wiser transportation choices, such as riding a bicycle instead of driving in a car