PDF download Download Article
Easy actions you can take at home and school to fight climate change
PDF download Download Article

Global warming is a big problem, but that doesn't mean kids like you can't help! Kids can actually make a really big impact when it comes to climate change. We'll walk you through easy changes you can make to be more energy-efficient, then get into some cool stuff you can do to raise awareness about global warming.

1

Use less water.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you shorten your usual shower time by just 1 minute, you’ll save 3,000 liters (800 gallons) of water a year! It helps to turn off the faucet when you’re brushing your teeth or washing your hands, too. Be sure to keep the water off until it's time to rinse![1] You can also:
    • Wash full loads of laundry or dishes instead of half loads if you're doing chores.
  2. Advertisement
2

Drink tap water instead of bottled water.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Plus, most plastic bottles can’t be recycled so they just end up in a landfill! If your parents buy bottled water, ask them to stop and explain why plastic bottles are bad. If you like carrying water with you, get a reusable bottle and fill it with tap water instead.[2] [3]
    • If you don't like the taste of tap water, ask your parents to buy a faucet filter or filtered pitcher for the fridge.
3

Turn off lights and unplug devices.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Devices with remotes, like TVs and gaming consoles, are always using power—even when they’re off! To avoid wasting energy, unplug electronics when you aren't using them. Another easy solution: plug your devices into a power strip with an on/off switch and hit the "off" switch when you leave the room or your home.[4] You can also:
    • Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
    • Adjust your screens/monitors to automatically power down.
    • Unplug electronic devices (and their charging docks) after charging them.[5]
  2. Advertisement
4

Close your doors and windows.

PDF download Download Article
6

Walk and bike more often.

PDF download Download Article
  1. "Greenhouse gases" are gases that block heat from escaping the planet, which makes the planet too warm. If you’re going somewhere close, walk or ride your bike instead of getting your parents to drop you off.[9] If it’s too far to walk or bike, take the city bus or train.[10] You can also:
    • Carpool to school and events with your friends.
    • Go shopping and run errands in the same trip instead of individual trips.[11]
    • Talk to your parents about buying a hybrid or electric car.[12]
7

Recycle or reuse items instead of trashing them.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Talk to your parents about taking advantage of your local or city recycling program so paper, plastic, newspaper, glass, and aluminum cans don’t end up in landfills. When buying new stuff, look for products with zero waste or eco-friendly packaging.[13] [14] Try these strategies, too:
    • Bring reusable grocery bags to the store.
    • Reuse plastic food containers.
    • Shop in thrift stores instead of buying new stuff.
    • Donate clothes to thrift shops when you outgrow them.
  2. Advertisement
10

Buy from local farmers markets and businesses.

PDF download Download Article
11

Talk to friends and family about climate change.

PDF download Download Article
12

Share information about global warming on social media.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Share articles, links, and infographics with your friends and followers to educate them about climate change. Encourage reposting so you can reach as many people as possible. You can also use social media to connect with other kids who are interested in helping the environment.[21]
    • For example, check out youth-led environmental groups on Facebook.
    • Be sure to use environment-related hashtags on Twitter and Instagram. For example: #environment, #sustainability, #climatechange, #ecofriendly, #savetheplanet
13

Start a recycling program at your school.

PDF download Download Article
14

Write letters to your government officials.

PDF download Download Article

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How could we reduce global warming at home?
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Sustainability Specialist
    Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Sustainability Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Talk to your parents about switching to water-efficient fixtures. Also, if it's dark at home, open curtains to let in natural light so you don't have to turn any lights on.
  • Question
    What can youth do to protect the environment?
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Sustainability Specialist
    Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k.
    Kathryn Kellogg
    Sustainability Specialist
    Expert Answer
    If you're able to, walk or bike to nearby places rather than getting a ride to help reduce greenhouse gases.
  • Question
    I'm a really shy person. When I try to help, my word only goes so far. How can I get a voice in my community?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Shy people often feel more comfortable speaking freely on social media, so try sharing news articles and tips on preventing global warming with your friends/followers on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

Advertisement

About This Article

Kathryn Kellogg
Co-authored by:
Sustainability Specialist
This article was co-authored by Kathryn Kellogg and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Kathryn Kellogg is the founder of goingzerowaste.com, a lifestyle website dedicated to breaking eco-friendly living down into a simple step-by-step process with lots of positivity and love. Kathryn is the author of two books focusing on sustainability, 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste and 101 Tips for a Zero Waste Kitchen. She is the spokesperson for plastic-free living for National Geographic, has been featured by the Guardian, CNN, Refinery29, and Bustle, and has a following on instagram of over 700k. This article has been viewed 148,048 times.
88 votes - 71%
Co-authors: 50
Updated: April 18, 2024
Views: 148,048
Article SummaryX

You can reduce global warming at any age by making sure you unplug electronic devices when you aren’t using them, so you can conserve electricity! While you’re at it, try to cut back on the time you spend using electronics every day. Instead, do activities that don’t require electricity, such as playing sports, playing a board game, or having friends over. On top of that, cut down on your waste by recycling, reusing items such as by thrifting or upcycling, and limiting your use of paper and plastic bottles. For more tips, like how to reduce your carbon footprint, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 148,048 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Farhan Zaheer

    Farhan Zaheer

    Nov 15, 2017

    "I had participated in a competition but I did not know how to help in reducing global warming. So this article..." more
    Rated this article:
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement