Action matters. Change starts here.
Multiple actions are needed to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Learn more about what steps we all can take and resources available to support your climate actions in these key areas:
Buildings & Energy | Transportation | Waste Reduction | Sustainable Lifestyle
And find out how you can connect with other climate-minded residents through:
Climate Fest | Climate Ambassadors
Buildings & Energy
Energy is something used every day, often without thinking about it. We turn on the light switch and expect lights to turn on. We heat and cool our homes, only pausing at the end of the month to think about what this means for our electricity or gas bill.
The most recent greenhouse gas inventory for Iowa City shows that 71% of total emissions in Iowa City come from the electricity and natural gas used to power and heat our homes and businesses. Preventing the worst impacts of climate change begins with reducing how much energy we consume in our buildings and using cleaner power sources like wind and solar to generate that energy.
Resources
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Sign up for a free home energy audit from Green Iowa AmeriCorps
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Try these easy, DIY projects to help weatherize your home
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Apply for a low-interest GRIP loan from the City of Iowa City to make improvements to your home like upgrading your furnace or installing new, more efficient windows
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Learn more about the Grow Solar Linn & Johnson County solar group-buy program that provides discounts on home solar installation
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Explore the many energy saving features of a LEED platinum residence here in Iowa City and consider which might be a good fit for your home
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Discover more ideas on our Climate Action for Residents checklist
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Find more resources for homeowners and renters at Energy.gov
Transportation
We often think of cities in terms of their skyline, all those buildings towering upward and outward. But just as critical to the urban landscape is the network of roads, sidewalks, trails, and railways linking those buildings together. Without them, residents can't commute to work or school or visit friends and family, and businesses can't get necessary supplies or distribute their goods.
Connectivity is important but also can come at a cost to our air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. The most recent greenhouse gas inventory for Iowa City shows that 18% of total emissions in Iowa City come from the transportation sector. The more we can embrace active transportation like biking and walking, and transportation that makes more efficient use of our resources like transit and electric vehicles, the more we can put ourselves on a path toward better health in the present and reduced climate change impacts in the future.
Resources:
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Use this easy calculator to find out how much your daily commute is costing you
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Learn more about our recently redesigned bus routes and new fares – including potential discounts!
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Apply for SEATS paratransit service, available to eligible Iowa City residents
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Discover how Iowa City is building a bicycle-friendly community
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View the Iowa City Trails Map for route planning
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Get the most out of bike-friendly amenities in Iowa City by watching our video tip series "Bike Shorts"
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Learn more about electric vehicles, the range of prices and models available
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Check out the Eastern Iowa EV Readiness Plan and Iowa City's rebate for installing EV charging at apartments and condos
Sustainable Lifestyle
Choosing to live sustainably has many benefits, both on the individual level and for the community. It can lead to healthier lifestyles, support for local businesses and jobs, and increased greenspace.
Individual choices can also help build a groundswell of community support around more climate-related actions with an understanding that if each of us chooses a few actions where we personally can have an impact, the end result will put Iowa City on the path needed to create a climate-aware community.
Resources:
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Use the Cool Climate Calculator to find areas in your daily practices where you can make a difference
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Feeling a little overwhelmed by climate news? Check out Project 51 to learn about the daily victories adding up to a more livable future
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Explore the Iowa City Farmers Market and discover related local food resources through organizations like Field to Family and Grow: Johnson County
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Discover tips, tricks, and recipes to reduce food waste and connect with Table to Table, a volunteer organization helping to save food locally
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Learn how soil quality restoration can improve your lawn and reduce runoff, and learn about the Your Best Lawn cost-sharing program
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Purchase durable goods whenever possible. Visit our DIY Repair resource page, which provides a variety of repair resources and tutorials for different areas of home and lifestyle, and explore the Iowa City Repair Directory for professional repair options
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Read Iowa City's consumption-based emissions report to learn how better consumer practices can help reduce emissions beyond the boundaries of Iowa City
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Make use of our Environmental Education resource page for access to all-free virtual education resources
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Check out virtual activities with the Senior Center to stay connected with other residents
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Discover other climate actions to take in Iowa City's Climate Action Toolkit
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Connect with the tribal history of the land in and around Iowa City
- Check out recent issues of Iowa City's Sustainability Newsletter below and subscribe to receive the monthly newsletter email