Talk about it!
The recent #ClimateStrike has awakened the global consciousness to the harsh reality of climate change. How do I know this? On more than one occasion since September 20th, I’ve been asked: “so what can I do about the climate?” This is the first time these folks have asked me this question. There is a growing, sincere concern over the well-being of humanity. I agree wholeheartedly with climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe when she says: the most important thing you can do to fight global warming is to talk about it!
“Start by talking about why it matters to us, to begin with genuinely shared values. Are we both parents? Do we live in the same community? Do we enjoy the same outdoor activities: hiking, biking, fishing, even hunting? Do we care about the economy or national security?” says Hayhoe.
She continues: “For me, one of the most foundational ways I found to connect with people is through my faith. As a Christian, I believe that God created this incredible planet that we live on and gave us responsibility over every living thing on it. And I furthermore believe that we are to care for and love the least fortunate among us, those who are already suffering the impacts of poverty, hunger, disease and more. If you don’t know what the values are that someone has, have a conversation, get to know them, figure out what makes them tick. And then once we have, all we have to do is connect the dots between the values they already have and why they would care about a changing climate.”
I, too, am a Christian. I share the belief that Creation’s loving care is the biblical responsibility of God’s people. One of God’s first commands in Genesis chapter 1 to humanity was to “tend His garden.”
Sunday, December 31, 2017 was the first opportunity I personally had to talk about climate change with the members of my church. It being New Year’s Eve, I offered a commentary titled A Climate For Resolutions, where I talked about how it is the Biblical responsibility of God’s people to care for Creation. And that there are things that Christians can do to make a difference: praying, looking at how we live our own lives and how it might be affecting the environment, and advocating for those currently living in extreme poverty who are facing climate change as a life-threatening issue every single day. I tried to connect with my fellow churchgoers through the values we share simply by being Christians.
The following summer, the pastor at my Mom’s church was going to be on vacation, and I was invited to speak at her church. I slightly revised my commentary from the prior New Years’ Eve, knowing that this other congregation leans more conservative than my church. I recorded the audio from that talk:
Now, at every opportunity, I make a conscious effort to talk about climate change. For me, I feel that it is my duty as a degreed meteorologist (i.e. someone who was taught and knows the science) and a Christian (i.e. someone who is called to be a steward of Creation) to do something about climate change.
My church has a Peace Candle, that members of the congregation take turns each week lighting and sharing a commentary, poem, etc. I’ve taken the opportunity to discuss how hurricanes are fueled by warmer waters (October 2018), as well inviting everyone to join me in the September 20, 2019 #ClimateStrike.
The Pastor at my church is also a member of the local Rotary Club. He invited me to speak to the Rotary Club about Northern Vermont University’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, where I work as the IT support. In my presentation, I not only talked about my own climate advocacy, I discussed the The Climate Consensus (www.theclimateconsensus.com) group of students on campus, as well as the curricular and extracurricular initiatives the Department of Atmospheric Sciences has taken to more effectively educate undergraduate students about climate change (including the first-in-the-nation undergraduate Climate Change Science degree), as well as learning how to talk about the science with students at local schools and community members.
Who will you talk with this week about climate change? What shared values do you have?
#ClimateStrike
On Friday, September 20, 2019, I participated in a climate strike with about 150 students and teachers (both from Northern Vermont University and local schools), as well as community members in Lyndonville, Vermont. We were joining an estimated 6 million others, worldwide. Our house is on fire. The climate crisis is an emergency but we’re not acting like it. People everywhere are at risk if we let oil, coal and gas companies continue to pour more fuel on the fire. Our hotter planet is already hurting millions of people. If we don’t act now to transition fairly and swiftly away from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy access for all, the injustice of the climate crisis will only get worse. We need to act right now to stop burning fossil fuels and ensure a rapid energy revolution with equity, reparations and climate justice at its heart.
We began walking down the road from the NVU-Lyndon campus, chanting along the way, “Tell me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like!” and “Hey hey, ho ho, fossil fuels have got to go!”
After walking down main street, we convened at a green in the center of town. Several speakers took to the megaphone to address the crowd. I was one of them. This is what I said:
I’m so glad to see so many people joining us in the street today to rally for immediate action on the climate crisis.
When you leave here, what actions are you going to take? I encourage you to simply talk about climate change with your friends and family at every opportunity. Find common values and talk about how climate change is going to — if it hasn’t already — affect those things you mutually care about. Do you love snowmobiling, skiing or snowboarding? How about Vermont maple syrup? Does your family go on vacation at the ocean? Do you grow your own food, or know someone who does? Do you or those in your family know that’s it’s possible to shift retirement accounts and other investments into socially responsible, fossil-fuel-free portfolios? For the adults here – are you registered to vote? Are your friends registered to vote? Did you know if you’re a college student in Vermont, you can register to vote in Vermont, even if you’re from out of state? Learn who’s on the ballot, and what positions they hold. It’s your duty as a citizen to vote.
I’ll leave you with these wise words from Dr. Alan Betts, a climate researcher in Vermont: “Climate change presents humanity with many difficult choices. If we first recognize the truth and choose hope over despair, this frees us to work together to do whatever needs to be done.
Remember, we are active participants in the creation of the future – it is not a given. There is great strength and joy when we act with moral integrity – doing what is right simply because it is right. What uplifts the human spirit also uplifts the Earth.”
What difference will it make?
These Climate Strikes won’t solve the climate crisis alone. What this moment can do is demonstrate that people are no longer willing to continue with business as usual. The urgency of the climate crisis requires a new approach and a just response centered on human rights, equity, and justice. Greta Thunberg’s lone protest caught the world’s attention last year, and has spread to millions of school children who are sounding the alarm. Now it’s everyone’s turn to stand with young people and show world leaders the people power demanding climate justice. September’s climate strikes will kickstart a huge wave of action and renewed ambition all over the world.
It’s easy to march for one hour…
…it’s challenging to adopt a net-zero greenhouse gas emission lifestyle. Next Sunday, I’ll share with you one step I am taking to do so in my own life. And it may surprise you!