4Rs Tips for 6.3.2022 – Climate Action Is Easier Than Ever

Climate Reality Is Our Reality

Hello, my planet-loving friends. Did you miss me last week? 

I just returned from Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in Las Vegas, Nevada. And, man, was it hot. Not only the training but the weather, too. Vegas hit record highs for this time of year.

I had the lofty goal of attending training and writing this blog. But in the end, it was a good thing I left my laptop power cord at home. I had a lot to absorb. 

The training was exhilarating, inspirational, and overwhelming, all at the same time. I had to gather my thoughts before I could share the excitement with you.

2 Big Things I Learned in Vegas

1. Human activities have not only accelerated the changing of our climate but have disrupted our natural climate balance. 
   
   • When I was in grade school I remember learning about currents – air currents and ocean currents – and how our ecosystem depends on these currents to support life as we know it. These currents are no longer stable, which is a simple way to understand and explain to others why fighting climate change is a fight for our lives.
     
   • These disruptions are evident in unusual weather like ice storms in Texas, severe flooding around the globe, and dangerous heatwaves just this month. It’s still spring, isn’t it?
     
2. It doesn’t take a lot for us to change the path we’re on. I learned how easy it is for us to find our voice and fight for the planet. Not only through our actions and interactions with each other, but with some simple steps and tools that can move us in the right direction.
   
   • The Climate Action Now app was developed with the support of the Climate Reality Project. It’s an easy way to take daily actions like signing petitions, sending messages to your government representatives, or learning about and sharing actions that are happening to fight climate change. In a few minutes a day, you can take five actions with the app. Earn points toward planting a tree in a protected forest.
     
   • Take the Jump and commit to these six key lifestyle changes that will make a huge difference. Based on research from three leading institutes, these six actions by individuals and governments will be the most impactful. 
     
     • From flying less to buying fewer new clothes, you’ll find something to get started on. Check out the actions. You might find some are easy to do. Start with those. The better you do, the better you’ll feel about it. Once you’ve made a few changes it will be easier to tackle the tougher ones.
       
     • The sixth one, Change the System, can be done by using the Climate Action Now app which supports your activism.
       
   • Find organizations to follow and support. There’s a lot out there, so find ones that are taking action you’re interested in. Like fighting fossil fuel companies, protecting wild places, or cleaning up our oceans. 
     
     • Don’t try and support them all, you’ll get overwhelmed. Just pick two that are doing work you support and donate to them when you can. 
       
     • Sign up to receive their latest news. Many of them have newsletters that include petitions you can sign.
       
   • Continue adding Reduce and Reuse habits to your life. Remember, even small changes make a difference, so keep taking them. I’ll keep digging up more ways to help you do that with this 4Rs blog.

An October 2019 quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared in the Las Vegas training:

“Climate change is the apartheid of our time.”

I recently had a conversation with my daughter about how to say “you’re welcome” in sign language. She grew up with deaf friends and a caregiver who is a deaf translator. They often spoke in American Sign Language. 

My daughter asked if I knew my letters. Though I learned them when I was in scouts as a kid, I never had the chance to immerse myself in the language like she did. Years later, she still knows her letters and how to sign. I do not. The point is, when we immerse ourselves in a habit or practice (or language) we get better at it and it becomes part of who we are.

It’s time to immerse ourselves in saving our planet.
It’s time we become a driving force in helping
Mother Earth heal.

More Actions You Can Take

Looking for other ideas and ways you can support the healing of our planet?

• This weekend, in honor of Juneteenth and Father’s Day, join the Save Soil Walkathon. Click on the link to find an event near you.
  
• Consider applying to attend a Climate Reality Leadership Corps training. You don’t need a lot of experience, just a will to help fight climate change. I encourage anyone who is willing and able to step up their fight for the planet to apply. It’s a global program, and they offer virtual training. Your level of involvement as a climate leader (or climate warrior as I have now been dubbed by a family member) is entirely up to how much time you can commit. A little or a lot, it all makes a difference. 

I learned a lot in Las Vegas about where we are in this fight to save our planet and all the work we need to be doing right now. 

Most importantly, I was overwhelmed by all the people, young and old, committed to fixing our climate problem. It was super exciting! Oh, and the bonus… I got to shake Al Gore’s hand 🙂

Don’t Worry, Nobody’s Perfect

Since I launched this blog in January, my goal was to write to you every week with things you can do to reduce, reuse, and help fight climate change. But sometimes things don’t always go as planned. And that’s okay! So I missed a week.

We dust ourselves off and pick up where we left off. Let’s keep that in mind as we work to make the changes we need to make. Maybe you forgot your reusable bags when you went shopping this week. Forgive yourself, put a reminder on your phone for next time, and keep working on building that habit.

I’m committed to helping you do it. I hope you’re committed to getting it done.

Why It’s Important

I constantly hear people say, “It’s big corporations who are the polluters. They’re the ones who need to change. They created the problem.” True, but…

• This is why we need to be heard. We need to make sure our governments are setting down laws that will stop corporate polluters. 
  
• And, we need to recognize that we give those corporations our money to fund their activities. Addressing our buying habits is the best way to change that.

Don’t forget one of my favorite quotes:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead (1901-1978), American cultural anthropologist

With Much Gratitude

That’s it for this week. If you like this post, please forward it to every earth-friendly human you know. 

If you’re in a position to do so, please consider supporting my efforts and this blog.

Drop me a line anytime if you have questions or comments. I love hearing from you.

Thank you for reading these tips and subscribing. Pat yourself on the back for doing your part. Remember, everything you do to change to more planet-friendly habits makes a difference.

You got this!

Jen
jen.thilman@gmail.com 

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