What are YOU Doing To Tackle Climate Change? Four Stories From Our Listeners

What It Covers

How to Save a Planet celebrates its second anniversary by profiling four listeners who took climate action in their communities: saving recycling programs, running for electric co-op boards, opening zero-waste stores, and blocking Exxon drilling operations.

Key Questions Answered

• •Local government leverage: Betsy Delisle saved curbside recycling in Corolla, North Carolina by attending county commissioner meetings, gathering petition signatures, and mobilizing citizens to call public works. The county reversed its decision to end the program after significant public input demonstrated demand.
• •Electric co-op democracy: Corey Robinson won a seat on his rural electric cooperative board by campaigning door-to-door to 2,000 households, positioning himself as an advocate for local renewable energy. Co-op members democratically elect boards that control electricity sourcing decisions, rates, and grid modernization in their service areas.
• •Zero-waste retail model: Rachel Garcia opened Dry Goods Refillery in New Jersey, a bulk grocery store where customers bring reusable containers to eliminate packaging waste. The store has refilled over 50,000 containers in 18 months and offers 20% discounts to SNAP benefit recipients to increase accessibility.
• •Economic climate arguments: UC Santa Barbara students blocked Exxon's oil trucking proposal by citing BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's warnings that fossil fuel companies face investment risk from climate change. The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted three to two against Exxon, crediting the students' economic evidence over environmental appeals alone.