Focus the Nation Toolbox


Online Resources

Regional & Community Events

Start a Book Club

Have a Movie Night

Online Resources & Information

Calculating your Carbon Footprint


Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an online calculator you can use as your baseline as you begin to lower your carbon emissions.
www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

Scorecard on the environment - find out how your community compares to the rest of the US in emissions and toxic chemicals.  http://www.scorecard.org/

 

 Climate Change Research


City of Olympia – Find out how our city is responding to climate change in their September 2007 report.
www.olympiawa.gov/community/sustainability/Climate_Change/

Climate Change and Pacific Rim Indigenous Nations
http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/climate.html

University of Washington Climate Impacts Group
www.cses.washington.edu/cig/

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
www.ipcc.ch/

Global Warming & the Pacific Northwest Coast
Report by National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org/sealevelrise

Climate Change Futures:  Health, Ecological and Economic Dimensions

Harvard Reports on climate change impacts
www.climatechangefutures.org

The Encyclopedia of Earth: Content, Credibility, Community
Provides the latest science news on global climate change contributed by more than 900 experts from 60 countries worldwide.
www.eoearth.org
 

Youth Movement Groups

 
Cascade Climate Network – “As youth of the Pacific Northwest, we recognize that the climate crisis we currently face presents the defining challenge of our generation.  Solving it is our greatest opportunity.”
http://cascadeclimate.org/

It’s Getting Hot in Here – Global Youth Climate Movement
www.itsgettinghotinhere.org

Campus Climate Challenge – et your school involved by creating a campus climate challenge group.  Encourage your president or principle to support sustainability on campus.
http://climatechallenge.org/

Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA)
www.ayea.org

Envirolution – started by three young men who are inspiring youth to take action on their own campuses.
www.envirolution.org

Local and National Non-profit Work


Climate Solutions – Olympia’s local nonprofit dedicated to climate change issues
www.climatesolutions.org/

The Nature Conservancy
www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/

National Wildlife Federation
www.nwf.org/globalwarming/

 

State and National Level Action


Washington Climate Action Team – What's happening in Washington state - resources and things you can do
www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/index.htm

Climate Solutions – Olympia’s local nonprofit dedicated to climate change issues
www.climatesolutions.org/

Western Climate Initiative – What our greater region is doing to cut carbon emissions
www.westernclimateinitiative.org/

 

Take Action Steps

 
Recycle at home & at work
Setup your program today with:

Carbon Conscious Consumer (C3) – An online resource with monthly challenges for individual carbon reduction. Learn how to actively reduce your carbon footprint and interact with others who are doing the same across the country.
http://c3.newdream.org/

Contact your legislators and urge them to support the current climate change legislation.
Hotline:  1.800.562.6000

For the Senate:  For the House:
(Senator’s Name)  (Representative’s Name)
PO Box 40482  PO Box 40600
Olympia, WA 98504-0482  Olympia, WA 98504-0600

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) – Find out how you can reduce your carbon footprint by reducing your energy consumption in your home, community, and your workplace. Sign up to support PSE's purchase of green renewable energy; wind, geothermal, biomass and solar. Check out their rebates for new Energy Star appliances.
www.pse.com

Clean Air Cool Planet – solutions for corporations, campuses, communities, and more. 
www.cleanair-coolplanet.org 

NativeEnergy Bringing New Renewables to Market – If you’re planning an event or traveling and you want to offset your carbon emissions check out www.nativeenergy.com

Buy Local to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Northwest Earth Institute – "The Northwest Earth Institute is recognized as a national leader in the development of innovative programs that empower individuals and organizations to protect the Earth."
www.nwei.org/NWEI/Home.html

Tired of junk mail?

National Geographic’s The Green Guide – Calculate your carbon footprint for each room of your home and find out about green products. www.thegreenguide.com/green_home/

 

Join a Community Action Group


Sustainable Community Roundtable of South Puget Sound – Working in the South Sound region on sustainable indicators so we can monitor our communities' health. "Learn what is being done to build sustainable communities in the South Sound. See how you can join with others from your community to make a good place to live even better."
www.sustainsouthsound.org

Olympia Climate Action Team – Find out what community members are actively doing for climate change. Sign up for email updates on local events and news.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OlyClimateAction

Community Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) – help advocate for healthier communities for all people.
www.ccej.org/

Indigenous Environmental Network Climate Justice Campaign
www.ienearth.org/climate_campaign.html

World Energy Community Action Network (WeCAN) – “provide a coordinating and knowledge-sharing hub for citizen-based, community solutions to the energy, environmental, and societal challenges we face.” 
http://wecannetwork.org

Native Climate Commons
http://climate.nativecommons.net

 

Resources for the Home


Beech Tree Building Company – an eco-friendly carpentry company that uses reclaimed wood to create unique cabinetry.
http://www.beechtreebc.com/

The Environmental Home Center – Environmentally friendly products for home remodeling and building. www.environmentalhomecenter.com/home.shtml

Healthy Home – Resources for the home.
www.healthyhome.com/

Windfall Lumber – Local lumber resource committed to sustainable forest products.
www.windfalllumber.com

510 Interiors – Olympia retailer that “provides beautiful, quality flooring, furniture and interior solutions that address environmental, health and global concerns.”
www.510interiors.com

 

Lodging, Local and Eco-Friendly


Fertile Ground – Have your guests stay in a environmentally friendly place for their visit.
www.fertileground.org/

Wild Thyme Farm – Retreat Center has "15 buildings including the main house, guest cottages, barns and meeting rooms to accommodate individual, group vacations and events."
www.wildthymefarm.com/

Eco-Event Planning
Zero Waste Events:  with tips from the City of Olympia try creating your next event a ‘Zero Waste’ one. www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityutilities/garbage/wastereduction/
 

 

Jobs


Alliance for Sustainable Jobs and the Environment – Looking for a new job that works towards a sustainable environment?  Check out their website.
www.asje.org/

 

News on our South Sound Environment


South Sound Green Pages – "A bi-monthly journal of environmental news and commentary"
www.oly-wa.us/GreenPages/

NPR Coverage – National Public Radio Series on Climate Change
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5394326

 

Regional & Community Events/Schedules

Updated 12/21/07

Regional Events (PDF) | Regional Events (DOC)