By Debra Orben
Climate change impacts everything you care about, whether it’s the health and welfare of your family, the rising costs of food and energy, the strength of our economy, the birds in your backyard, or the plight of endangered species.
That is the message Katharine Hayhoe shares in her book “Saving Us, a Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.”
If you, like most of us, are someone who cares deeply and wants the planet to be a safe and sustainable home for life on earth, Katharine’s book will give you both facts and hope. Katharine, a devout Christian and a distinguished climatologist, has unique insights to help us tackle this often divisive and frightening topic.
Katharine believes facts are not enough. Although facts are important, they can also lead to unhelpful feelings like anger, denial, or guilt. Climate change is like an agent of danger that can affect our food security, economic stability, and ongoing humanitarian crises. Katharine doesn’t want her message to be one based on fear, but rather one that is positive and open to possibilities. She is truly grateful to fossil fuels but recognizes that it is time to transition towards cleaner energy.
Her main message is that although climate change can have a negative impact on our daily lives, we have the power and ability to make changes. Fossil fuels have been heavily subsidized. However, 43 countries have placed a price on carbon which has helped them reduce carbon footprints. The growth of clean energy means that it is possible for us to live in a world where there is no electricity. Each of us can play a role in solving this seemingly impossible global problem.
Over 50% of Americans feel alarmed or concerned by climate change, and the same percentage feel helpless when it comes to their daily lives. We don’t have to be helpless. We can do much in small and big ways. Katharine believes that the most important thing is to talk about climate change among our families, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Talk about how it affects the weather in our communities, the wildlife that we observe, and practical, real-life solutions.
Read Katharine’s book, check out some of her inspiring U-Tube videos, or visit citizensclimatelobby.org to learn more. Here are some thoughts. Even small actions can make a big difference. Our roof’s solar panels produce clean energy. Our plug in Prius makes it possible to save money on gasoline. Our garden provides fresh, organic produce in the summer and frozen food during winter. Wildflowers and native trees provide shelter and food for birds of all sizes, including hummingbirds and pileated woodpeckers.
You don’t need to buy solar panels or an electrical car to make a change. There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and improve your energy efficiency. You can be a champion for legislation that increases energy efficiency and decreases our dependence on fossil-fuel-based fuels.
You will find that no matter what you do you will realize that you are a human being on this planet and can contribute to a safer, cleaner, greener world for our children.
Debra Orben lives in Springtown.
