"The biggest obstacle to dealing with climate disruptions lies between your ears," says psychologist and economist Per Espen Stokes. He's spent years studying the defenses we use to avoid thinking about the demise of our planet — and figuring out a new way of talking about global warming that keeps us from shutting down. Step away from the doomsday narratives and learn how to make caring for the earth feel personable, do-able and empowering with this fun, informative talk.

Learn how women are disproportionately affected by climate change.
“A changing climate affects everyone, but it’s the world’s poorest and those in vulnerable situations, especially women and girls, who bear the brunt of environmental, economic and social shocks,” says UN Women. To learn more, take the UN Women Climate Quiz.

Avoid Driving to the Store
 
Next time you’re thinking of jumping in your car to shop at a retail outlet such as Costco or Ikea, consider the impact of transportation on the environment.
 
“E-commerce is the less energy-consumptive option approximately 80% of the time,” according to a study from Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University. Although it's a complex issue depending on purchases, packaging, and other factors, in general buying online means you will likely use about 30% less energy than if you drive to a shopping mall or big box store.
 
Of course, walking or cycling to a local retailer is the best alternative for the environment, your budget, and your waistline, to say nothing of supporting the local economy.

​Vanquish Vampire Power
Many electronic devices and appliances draw power even when turned off or in standby mode — a phenomena known as “phantom load” or “vampire power.”  A recent US study showed the average home has 65 devices and appliances on standby power, costing the nation approximately $19 billion a year — about $165 per household— and 50 large (500-megawatt) power plants’ worth of electricity. With Spanish electricity bills among the highest in the EU, cutting down on electricity waste makes good sense for the budget as well as our carbon footprint.

​One easy way to lighten the phantom load is to change the energy management setting on your computer so it sleeps after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity rather than staying on all the time. (Here’s how to do this.) Unplug devices when you’re done with them or use a power strip to cut off your computer or entertainment system after it's powered down. Can’t remember to unplug or switch off your electronics? Next time you buy a power strip, get the “smart” version with a timer.

Take the Train, Especially Around Europe
(Better for the Planet & Often Faster Than Flying)
Traveling by train instead of flying from London to Paris you can lower the trip's CO2 emissions by a whopping 91%. And get there faster! OK, it's only nine minutes faster, but hey, that's nine more minutes in Paris!

Before booking your next flight, check out how much you can save in time, CO2 emissions, and fuel:

Pop quiz: How many inter-European air flights are there per year?
A: About a billion.
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Avoiding Meat & Dairy Is the Single Biggest Way You Can Stop Contributing to Climate Change
A major new Science report reveals that more than 80% of farmland is used for livestock while producing just 18% of our food calories and 37% of our protein. It’s an inefficient way to feed ourselves — and a huge pollutant. For every 100 grams of beef we raise, we generate 105 kilos of greenhouse gases. Our planet’s annual beef production is now 330 million metric tons. You do the math. Does this mean we all have to go vegan overnight? No. But we can easily reduce our meat consumption.
 
Meatless Mondays
Five years ago, an Israeli newscaster introduced the idea of Meatless Mondays — also called Happy Mondays — to improve the health of individuals and the planet. Today her idea has spread around the globe. What’s for dinner on Happy Mondays? Here are meatless recipes that carnivores love and one for Autumn Vegetable Paella. ¡Buen provecho!

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​Take Non-Stop Flights Whenever Possible
As expats, flying is part of our lives, and when we’re able to take a non-stop flight, we achieve an energy savings of 20-50% over connecting flights.
 
If you can’t find non-stop flights, consider purchasing carbon offsets — which means making a payment that contributes toward the reduction of carbon elsewhere, for instance by supporting a sustainable energy project. Carbon offset for a flight might be in the $5 to $35 range and can either be purchased through the airline or an independent party such as CarbonFund or TerraPass. 

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