How to Confront and Tackle our Climate Emergency!

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Confronting and Tackling the Climate Emergency: A Call to Action

Sure, there are fears not only about tackling the Climate Emergency but also about how to begin. These feelings are natural and completely understandable. We all approach new endeavors with some trepidation; it is a natural part of positive change. We are unsure of what steps to take and even who to trust, given the misinformation perpetuated by both the fossil fuel industry and those with ideology-based agendas.

However, I strongly believe that one cannot tackle the Climate Emergency without first confronting it—it is impossible!

I can say with absolute confidence that there is a difference between confronting and tackling the Climate Emergency. The very first step in addressing the Climate Emergency is to confront it, which means accepting the undeniable fact that it exists. Once you do that, you have confronted it, and I strongly believe that is the crucial starting point.

Having acknowledged the reality of the situation (its existence and the danger it poses), tackling the issue happens in various ways. You can join a climate organization like the Third Act, Sunrise Movement, NYRenews, Sierra Club, Elders Climate Actions, Extinction Rebellion, or the Climate Mobilization, to name a few. There are so many options available now.

Your own state, more than likely, has an Environmental Protection Agency, and those I am aware of embrace community involvement. As mentioned, there are several ways to affiliate yourself with an organization, whether it is state-based, government-based, or simply a climate organization.

Now, the U.S. government, for those in the United States, is looking to increase their Climate Corps, and you can reach out to them at this link.

(The Biden-Harris administration actually launched a major step forward for the American Climate Corps on Earth Day, April 22nd. This means applications are open now!

Here’s some info:

* Applications are being accepted through a new website: ClimateCorps.gov [haven’t launched yet, but coming soon!]

* The program aims to have nearly 2,000 positions across the country tackling clean energy, conservation and climate resilience.

* The first group of participants will begin in June 2024.

Here are some resources for more info:

* White House Fact Sheet: FACT SHEET: President Biden Marks Earth Day 2024 with Historic Climate Action: [https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/23/what-they-are-saying-president-biden-marks-earth-day-2024-with-historic-climate-action/](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/04/23/what-they-are-saying-president-biden-marks-earth-day-2024-with-historic-climate-action/))

* AmeriCorps Press Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Major Steps to Stand Up Landmark American Climate Corps Initiative, Mobilizing the Next Generation of Climate Leaders: [https://americorps.gov/newsroom/press-release/biden-harris-administration-announces-major-steps-stand-landmark-american](https://americorps.gov/newsroom/press-release/biden-harris-administration-announces-major-steps-stand-landmark-american)

Staying informed is another important step, such as subscribing to Inside Climate News and following online climate-related media feeds. You can search for recent climate documentaries, webinars, conferences, and more by filtering your search, which is doable not only on YouTube but also on TED Talks, Bing, AI searches, climate organizations’ newsletters, and other sources. For instance, DW Documentary and PBS are good places to start.

There are numerous individual climate scientists and authors, such as Climate Adam, Bill McKibben, among many others, whose newsletters you can subscribe to. It’s all about doing your homework and seeking out these sources, subscribing to newsletters or sites, signing up with the government, your state, your state’s environmental protection interactive portal, and following the other tips mentioned above.

The reason I stress this is that I recently scoured many comments related to climate change, and the overall feeling is that many people say, “I hope the government,” or “I hope the state,” or “I hope they” (in fact, I have seen the phrase ‘they’ more than any other). Or even, I hope we don’t head in this or that direction, when the discourse should be more proactive. It makes me think we have been conditioned to rely on our state, government, or others to help us, which is obvious. However, when it comes to the Climate Emergency, we should express ourselves differently.

For example, instead of saying, “I hope they will do this or that,” we should say, “How can I help my government or state tackle our shared Climate Emergency?” or “I will create this idea to help all of us tackle the Climate Emergency.” When I see the word “they,” I immediately think it should or could be “we” as in “I hope we can collectively do this or that” or “I will do this or that to help deal with this Emergency.” We should not feel despair and hopelessness in our efforts to tackle the Climate Emergency but rather a willingness to assist each other, regardless of whether the help is directed towards our government, city, state, village, or elsewhere.

So, with that in mind, please check out my blog post on the Green Tech Café, as it is my way of contributing to the solution.

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Addendum: Here are some effective ways to get involved in climate activism:

Join a Climate Organization

Get involved with a local or national climate organization like the Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, 350.org, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, or Fridays for Future. Volunteer your time, attend meetings, and participate in their campaigns and actions.

Participate in Collective Action

Join protests, marches, strikes, and other collective actions to demand climate action. Attend local rallies and events, and consider organizing your own if there isn’t an active group in your area.

Educate Yourself and Others

Read up on climate science, policies, and solutions. Share what you learn with friends, family, and community. Recommend books, documentaries, and resources to help spread awareness.

Engage with Politicians

Contact your elected representatives at the local, state, and national level. Write letters, make calls, and

request meetings to discuss climate change and push for ambitious policies. Research candidates’ environmental stances and vote accordingly.

Practice What You Preach

Make sustainable lifestyle changes and encourage others to do the same. Reduce your carbon footprint, support green businesses, and inspire people through your actions.

Volunteer and Donate

Offer your skills and time to climate organizations. Volunteer for phone banks, canvassing, event planning, and more. Donate money if you’re able to support their important work.

The climate movement needs all hands on deck. By getting involved in one or more of these ways, you can make a real difference in the fight against our Climate Emergency. Every action, big or small, contributes to the collective effort.

Be safe, be well and by all means get connected.

cCc