If you live in a place where you are allowed to vote, it is very important that you do.  If you live in the US, the midterm elections coming up on November 8 are VERY important at the local, state, and national levels.  Many significant issues will be decided based on the policies and laws that will be put in place by the candidates and political parties selected in this election.  And your vote does count.  Many election races are decided by a relatively small number of votes.  If you are not registered to vote, you will need to register within the next several days to be eligible to vote on November 8.  Make sure you are registered to vote (even if you were previously registered) and then check the voting procedures for your precinct to make sure your ballot is submitted according to your state and precinct’s requirements.  Many states have changed their voting procedures since 2020.  Once you are registered, research the candidates and the political parties – don’t rely on soundbites, commercials, and social media.  Go to the candidates’ websites and read their statements on the issues.  Listen to debates between the candidates.  No candidate is perfect, and sometimes you may have to vote against a candidate you really don’t like rather than for a candidate you do like.  And remember that local and state elections are just as important as the national election.

Many areas of the world are experiencing drought and water shortages that are expected to worsen due to climate change.  Water conservation will become ever more important in these areas as water supplies become less abundant.  Even in locations where there is plenty of rainfall, conserving water in your yard, home, or business will reduce energy use and carbon emissions.  Per the US Environmental Protection Agency, in the US, “on average, the annual energy used to deliver and treat water for only 10 households could power a refrigerator for more than two years.  In some areas of the country, that estimate is very low.  Heating water for showering, bathing, shaving, cooking, and cleaning also requires a considerable amount of energy.”  As another example from the US EPA, “letting your faucet run for five minutes uses about as much energy as letting a 60-watt light bulb run for 14 hours.”  The article at the link below has a lot of information on conserving water, with many links to other articles.  Here are a few of the highlights:

• Fix leaks. 
• Turn off the water when you are not using it (such as while brushing your teeth or peeling vegetables).
• Consider installing faucets and appliances designed to use less water.  When it’s time to buy a dishwasher or clothes washer, look at water efficiency in addition to energy efficiency. 
• If you only need a small amount of hot water, heat it in an electric kettle instead of running the hot water faucet until you get hot water.  Put a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the faucet until the water gets cold.
• Use less water on outdoor plants and landscaping.  Per the US EPA, “of the estimated 29 billion gallons of water used daily by households in the US, nearly 9 billion gallons, or 30 percent, is devoted to outdoor water use.  In the hot summer months, or in dry climates, a household's outdoor water use can be as high as 70 percent.”  Use native plants and choose low-water varieties if you will be watering the plants.  Adjust sprinkler systems so that you are not watering sidewalks and streets, and adjust the timing so that you are not overwatering.  Use mulch to reduce evaporation and water shrubs with trickle lines. 

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving

According to the attached article, in the US 28% of carbon emissions come from transportation.  This includes personal cars, trucks, airplanes, and trains.  In most US areas, public transportation is not widespread enough for people to completely avoid traveling in a car, but how you use and maintain your car can reduce your carbon emissions.  The attached article has more information, but here are some things to consider:

• Consolidate trips and plan your route to minimize the number of miles you drive.
• If you are not sure if the store will have the item you want, call ahead to check.
• Proper maintenance of your car will help it operate efficiently.  Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure, change your air filters, and get your car serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 
• Learn driving techniques that are eco-friendly.  Don’t drive significantly over the speed limit (unless you need to stay with the flow of traffic for safety) and don’t accelerate and decelerate rapidly. 
• Every time you put on the brakes, it takes energy to return to your previous speed.  In heavy traffic, try to adjust your following distance and techniques to reduce the amount of braking needed to stay in the flow of traffic.
• Unless it is extremely cold or your car is an older model, you don’t need to warm up your vehicle’s engine before you drive.  Scrape frost off car windows instead of waiting while your car heats up enough to defrost the windows. 
• When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, consider carefully your driving needs and fuel economy to choose the best vehicle. 

https://earth911.com/eco-tech/good-better-best-reduce-transportation-carbon-footprint