How to prepare for climate change

The impacts of climate change are no longer a distant possibility. From extreme heat waves to severe storms, the United States is feeling the effects. This comprehensive guide on how to prepare for climate change will help you tackle the crisis in manageable steps. 

Remember, preparing for climate change isn’t just smart; it can also be empowering. Climate commentators such as author David Pogue advocate we should all start preparing for the years to come. 

Let’s start with the basics. If you want to know how to prepare for climate change, you first need to get a handle on what it is. It’s more than just a rise in temperatures. Climate change is reshaping how we live, how our ecosystems function, and even how weather patterns behave. It’s about the health of our planet and, yes, our health too. 

What does climate change mean?

Climate change refers to the long-term alteration of Earth’s climate patterns – primarily driven due to human activities, and the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. Such activities lead to changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather events.

How to prepare for climate change?

Step 1: Understand what causes climate change

Gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases trap heat from the sun, keeping it from escaping into space. This creates what we call the greenhouse effect. These gases come from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy, cutting down forests, industrial processes, farming, and how we handle waste.

Step 2: Understand the impacts of climate change

The consequences of climate change are far-reaching and pose a range of environmental, social, and economic challenges. 

Rising temperatures: Global average temperatures have been increasing, leading to more frequent and intense heat waves.

Melting ice and rising sea levels: Glaciers and polar ice caps are melting, contributing to rising sea levels, which can result in coastal flooding and soil erosion.

Extreme weather events: More frequent and severe hurricanes, cyclones, floods, droughts, and wildfires have been observed.

Ocean acidification: The absorption of excess CO2 by the oceans has led to increased acidity. This can harm marine ecosystems and coral reefs.

Shifts in ecosystems: Climate change can alter the distribution and behavior of plants and animals, affecting biodiversity and ecological balance.

Threats to food and water security: Changes in weather patterns can disrupt agriculture and water supplies, potentially leading to food shortages and water scarcity.

Human health impacts: Rising temperatures and changing disease patterns can affect human health and increase the prevalence of certain diseases

Step 3: Take action at home

It’s become clear we need to adapt – our lifestyles, homes, and communities – to this new reality.

Some of the main types of extreme weather we face include floods, droughts, heat waves, strong winds, and heavy snow. Here’s how you can handle each:

Flooding

• Make sure your home drainage system is up to the job.
• Take steps to flood-proof your home.
• Get insurance to cover your home and belongings.

Heatwaves and droughts

• Save water wherever you can.
• Harvest rainwater to water plants or wash the car.
• Invest in good window treatment to keep your home cool.
• Add shaded areas to your yard.
• Use mulch in the garden to keep the soil from drying out.
• Keep showers short and switch to a low-flow showerhead.
• Don’t waste water and fix any leaks quickly. A dripping faucet can waste over 60 liters a week!

Heavy snowfall

• Be careful walking on snow and ice to avoid slipping.
• Prepare for potential disruptions to transport, power, and water pipes freezing.
• Keep a list of emergency contacts close by.
• Have an action plan ready, along with an emergency kit stocked with essentials.

Natural disaster 

When disaster strikes, it pays to have a plan:

• Evacuation routes: Map out multiple ways to leave your area if needed.
• Communication plan: Designate a family meeting point and ensure everyone knows it.
• Pet preparedness: Pack food, water, and comfort items for your furry friends.
• Stay informed: Sign up for local weather alerts and learn basic survival skills like purifying water.

Want to be better prepared for sudden climate changes? Schedule your home maintenance tasks through Kukun My Maintenance. You can organize the tasks, add new ones, and get timely reminders and improvement recommendations. Keeping your home in tip-top shape was never this systematic!

Step 4: Build community resilience

Strengthening community bonds can make a world of difference. Here’s how:

• Join local groups: Volunteer with environmental organizations or neighborhood watch programs.
• Share resources: Set up a community tool library for items such as generators, chainsaws, and emergency kits.
• Advocate for action: Push for climate-resilient infrastructure, like green roofs and stormwater systems, in your town.

Step 5: Advocate for bigger changes

Individual action is vital, but systemic change is even more powerful. Advocate for:

• Clean energy policies.
• Public transportation improvements.
• Funding for climate science and research.

Step 6: Keep it positive

The goal is to minimize the impacts of the climate crisis. And, create a more sustainable future.

• Spread awareness: Start by educating yourself and others about climate change, its causes, and its potential impacts.
• Reduce carbon footprint: Minimize your carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practices. Reduce emissions. Use energy-efficient appliances, switch to renewable energy sources, reduce waste, and consider eco-friendly transportation options.
• Maintain your property: Proper property maintenance can enhance a building’s resilience to extreme weather events. Well-maintained homes are more likely to withstand these events, reducing the need for costly repairs and reconstruction after disasters.
• Encourage water management: Develop efficient water management strategies to conserve water and protect against extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
• Conserve biodiversity: Preserve and restore ecosystems to support biodiversity, as it plays a critical role in maintaining ecological balance and adapting to climate change.
• Invest in disaster preparedness: Establish robust disaster preparedness plans at the community and national levels. This involves early warning systems, emergency response strategies, and evacuation plans.
• Support climate-friendly cities and states: States like Minnesota, Illinois, Rhode Island, Maine, and Wyoming are leading in climate preparation. Minnesota targets carbon neutrality by 2050, Illinois plans 100% clean energy by 2050, and Maine aims for 80% renewables by 2030. Rhode Island and Maine are part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, reducing fossil fuel reliance, while Wyoming invests in wildfire prevention and resilience. 
• Encourage international cooperation: Climate change is a global issue that requires international collaboration. Engage with international climate agreements and cooperate with other countries to find collective solutions.

Read more: Creating a sustainable living environment

Final thoughts

Climate change is complex, but our response doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re cooling your home, building community ties, or advocating for systemic reform, every step counts. With this guide to surviving the challenges ahead, you will not just cope – you, your family, and your home will thrive.

Written by Ramona Sinha. September 3, 2023

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.