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Planet Protection Pledge Action Ideas

Fill out your Pledge by selecting five actions from the list below.

I want to... lower carbon emissions in my home.

Check the end-of-life date on your water heater and prepare to replace it with a heat pump water heater. Learn more about heat pump water heaters.
Get a free phone consultation from the Efficiency Advisor to receive unbiased advice on how to improve your home's comfort, reduce your utility bills, and make the most of your efficiency project.
Make the switch to a heat pump water heater. Right now, the City of Palo Alto is offering free, expert help to get your permits, installers, and rebates worth thousands of dollars to install a new water heater. Learn more here.
Upgrade to an electric heat pump heating and cooling system to replace your old furnace. These systems can provide efficient heating and cooling for your home, and are powered by Palo Alto's 100% carbon free electricity. Learn more about heat pumps.
Install an ENERGY STAR certified electric clothes dryer to replace an old gas-powered dryer. Find options here.
Install a solar system on your home. Installing rooftop solar lowers the electricity portion of your bill. Learn more here.
Switch to an induction cooktop for cleaner, safer, and faster cooking at home. Learn more here.

The GoGreen Home Energy Financing program offers homeowners and renters financing options to help fund your energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. Learn more.

I want to... lower carbon emissions from my transportation.

Challenge yourself to walk or bike more by switching some of your local trips to walking or biking. Some ideas to pledge are...
- Walk or bike to a local destination one day this week
- Bike to work or school five times this month
- Completely switch your commute to school or work to walking or biking.
Adjust your goal based on what you can accomplish! Find resources and bike maps here.
Take a trip on public transit instead of choosing to travel by car. Find information on local public transit options here.
Ride in Palo Alto Link’s eco-friendly vehicles. The City’s new rideshare service is an easy, affordable, and eco-friendly way to travel around Palo Alto. If you’ve never ridden in a Palo Alto Link vehicle, pledge to take your first ride, or pledge to ride more frequently for local trips if you are already a rider. The Link Pass is an affordable option if you plan to ride more often.
Explore electric vehicles. Pledge to test ride an e-bike at a test ride event or check out popular EV models at an EV expo. Find upcoming events here. This is a great option if you’ve been thinking about switching to an EV but are not yet sure what’s the right choice for you.
Purchase an electric vehicle or replace a current vehicle with an EV. Visit this page for resources and information from the City on purchasing and charging an EV.

I want to... prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Sign up for AlertSCC to make sure you receive important emergency alerts to stay safe in case of a wildfire or other disaster.
Know your zone. If there is a wildfire or emergency situation, this is how you will know if you are in an impacted area. Find your zone by searching for your address and making note of it to better understand your risk from future emergency correspondence.
Take the course to become a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member to support your neighborhood in the event of an emergency.
Become a Block Preparedness Coordinator, a program that trains residents, businesses, and other groups to know how to respond and participate in disaster preparation, response, and recovery.

I want to... reduce my water use.

Explore your households water usage with WaterSmart. WaterSmart is a free online portal from City of Palo Alto Utilities that can show you how much water you're using and help you conserve water and reduce your utility cost with customized tips and rebates to your needs and water usage patterns. Learn more and access the portal.
Replace old showerheads and faucet aerators with more efficient models. Shop for free products available to Santa Clara County residents.
Convert your lawn to native, drought tolerant landscaping. Find landscape guides and resources. The City of Palo Alto partnered with Valley Water to offer rebates for homeowners who convert their lawn to water-saving landscaping.

I want to... protect our natural environment.

Volunteer with a local environmental organization. Check out opportunities from Acterra, Canopy, Environmental Volunteers, Grassroots Ecology, Save the Bay, or other organization you are passionate about.
Prevent stormwater runoff from your property by installing a rain barrel, cistern, or pervious pavement. Learn more and access rebates here.
Install a rain garden. Learn more about how you can save with rebates from the City of Palo Alto and Valley water.
Eat more plant based. Pledge to participate in Meatless Monday by omitting meat from your diet on Mondays, or pledge to eat plant based for a whole week or month - it's up to you. Learn more about the environmental benefits of eating plant based and find tips for eating plant-based here.
Add your yard trees to the Canopy Tree Plotter. This easy-to-use tool helps us better understand and care for our urban forest. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about the trees in your community.
Become a steward of our urban forest by taking care of trees on your property. Find recommendations and resources that will help you care for trees on and around your property here.

I want to... reduce the waste I produce.

Attend a free composting workshop. Learn how easy it is to make your own compost at home. Find upcoming dates.
Follow Zero waste guidelines for your next event. If you don’t have enough supplies for all of your guests, you can rent a Zero Waste Party Pack with reusable dishware, utensils, and napkins for free.

There are so many ways to reduce waste in your home, at work, in the garden, and when you shop. Explore the Zero Waste Living resource to find actions to pledge to reduce waste in your life.

I want to... encourage others to live more sustainably.

Canvas with 350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto Chapter to spread information about the heat pump water heater program. Fill out this form to sign up.
Encourage a friend to sign up for the Planet Protection Pledge. By encouraging others to take action you can amplify your impact!
Read an environmentally focused book to a child. Help inspire the next generation to lead a climate friendly future. Check out this list of recommended titles from the Library.
Read a book to learn more about climate and sustainability. The Library has compiled some great options here, here, and here.

Have an idea for an action to pledge that’s not listed here? Email sustainability@cityofpaloalto.org and we will confirm whether or not your action is eligible.