After the Election, 4 Ways You Can Take Climate Action
With another Trump administration managing federal energy and climate policy starting in January 2025, progress toward climate goals may slow. But there will still be a lot that every one of us can do to keep making progress on climate action.
About 40% of energy-related emissions in the U.S. come from how we heat and cool our homes, heat our water, dry our clothes, cook our meals, move around town, and how we power it all. Weaning our country off of fossil fuels requires actions by each of us.
This is true regardless of decisions at the federal level. That’s why local organizations like the Falls Church Climate Action Network were formed. It is why we encouraged the City of Falls Church to catch up with surrounding jurisdictions and adopt a Community Energy Action Plan.
Every few years, every household makes at least one major climate-related purchase that will last for a decade or more:
New vehicle: Choose an all-electric vehicle (or a plug-in hybrid, PHEV, if most of your mileage is local), not a gas or diesel one that will spew emissions for 100,000 miles or more. Many EVs & PHEVs qualify for tax credits if purchased; if leased, most EVs enable the leasing company to claim a tax credit, and they can pass the savings on to you.
New space heating: Choose an electric heat pump, rather than a gas furnace that will pollute Falls Church and the planet for the next 15-20 years.
Clean power: Is this the year to invest in rooftop solar that will offset your electric use for decades? Virginia’s incentive (net metering) is already under reconsideration for 2026, and federal tax credits may soon be at risk.
New water heater: Choose an electric heat pump water heater. They are cost-competitive, and electrifying your water heating is a needed step on the way to eliminating reliance on fossil fuels in your home.
FCCAN, other volunteer groups like the electrification coaches of GoElectricDMV.org, and the City’s One Stop Shop are all available to help with navigating these decisions.
Under the next administration, oil and gas companies may be allowed to drill and run pipelines wherever they want. That doesn't mean we have to buy more gasoline or heat our homes with fossil gas. The next time you have a choice, make it the right one for the climate.
Have a question? Email FCCAN.