[ad_1]
Climate change is something that you don’t have to be an expert on. You only need to believe the experts.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (IPCC), keeps reminding us that we must make drastic changes in how we eat, move, and make our stuff to prevent climate catastrophe.
The panel’s latest report issued in February is familiar. These warnings are worse than ever. Experts recommend that we begin this transition now to ensure that the changes are made before 2030.
We don’t need any more analysis; we need action. We need it now. Particularly in Miami, where city planners are preparing to face catastrophic sea-level rise.
Do we all fully understand what this means to us? In 40 years, many of us will have had to leave our homes. The houses that we think are worthless now will soon be worthless.
More:Climate change experts will speak at Naples event about ocean warming and sea level rise
More:Guest opinion: Creating hope amidst a climate crisis
I have been cautious over climate advocacy for the last several decades. While it was always a concern, I was more concerned with the business of feeding my family. I also felt I did not have anything important to add to the climate conversation because I was not “qualified.”
Climate science is not a part of my day job. I’ve since realized that I am qualified because I am a human living on Earth. I am qualified because I own a house in Miami, a city that is at sea level. I also have the privilege of being a parent.
All of us have a stake in this. The best actions we can take are within our own spheres of influence. Our communities, cities, workplaces, and state. What can each of us do to speed up the transition to a cleaner energy future? Experts have given us the right direction.
It is not about individual recycling, composting or switching to an electric car. While these are noble goals, they are not going to achieve the massive structural changes we need. I’ve learned that if a proposed solution to the climate crisis seems easy or convenient, odds are high that it is going to be ineffective, inequitable, or both. It’s terribly, terrifyingly inconvenient to hear, but it is the truth.
Experts agree that we need to change everything about our economy, and even our daily habits. People with the knowledge and experience have begun to plan for massive economic mobilization in order to make the planet habitable for our children and grandchildren. It will create millions more jobs to retrofit and build new infrastructure. We will all be very busy. But if you want to succeed, you must start now.
As individuals, we can no longer afford to be mindlessly “busy” every day, because all our daily “business” is destroying our home. We can get there, but it will take us all to act intentionally in our spheres every day.
What can you do today to address climate change?
Amanda Sherlock is a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby in Miami.
“The Invading Sea” is the opinion arm of the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a collaborative of news organizations across the state focusing on the threats posed by the warming climate.
