Concerned about climate change? How about your energy bill? The latest video in the Don’t Just Sit There - Do Something! series, the Energy Bill Movie, takes a seriously silly look at residential energy use and climate change in a haunted house movie spoof, just in time for Halloween:
The ACTION for this episode (besides keeping Energy Bill out of your house) is to support the Clean Energy Incentive Plan, (info below) which will provide incentives for investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in low-income communities and encourage states to take immediate action on climate change. (If you are new to the series, we always provide ways to engage.)
It’s true that the scientific aspects and details of the impacts of climate change are very interesting; however, we find it's generally more motivating to talk about such genuinely scary subjects through the lens of humor.
On one hand, the effects of climate change are still frightening, and worsening. 2016 continues barreling its way to hottest year ever status, Hurricane Matthew just caused the sixth one-in-a-thousand year rainfall on the Carolina coast in the past year, there’s a recently-recommended diary here about accelerating Antarctic ice melt, and the presidential debate stage was all but silent about climate.
On the other hand, not all the news is bad: the international agreement made in Paris will shortly go into effect, and solar energy continues to rapidly expand here in the U.S. And, as becomes obvious in the video (spoiler alert), there are many ways we can make a difference. It’s important to note the progress being made and how much the hard work of the movement is paying off.
In conclusion, it’s never been more important to keep talking about climate change with friends and family. There isn't an aspect of our lives that isn't impacted by climate change. But since we're all part of the problem, that means we can solve it, if we act together.
We hope that this short video, and all our videos, will help spark opportunities for those conversations. So if you like it, please tip, rec, and share. Happy Halloween!
---Joylette Portlock, Ph.D., Communitopia President
PS: You can also follow the show on YouTube, Facebook, Google+, iTunes, at djst.tv, or on Twitter:@dsa_climate to be assured of timely updates!
-- Communitopia's mission? Through use of new media and project-based campaigns, to slow climate change and create healthier communities by identifying, researching, and advocating for individual, community, and federal solutions to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and improve community resilience. Our three-word mission is "Making Green Mainstream."
TAKE 10 SECONDS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! - DEADLINE NOV 1:
Step 1 - Copy the sample text below to support the proposed Clean Energy Incentive Program, or write your own.
Step 2: Submit comment
here by November 1.
Sample text:
Low-income communities have historically had little access to clean energy and the jobs associated with it. I support the CEIP, which will help bring new opportunities to economically disadvantaged communities across the U.S., while helping our country reduce climate pollution. The CEIP will help ensure equity for all as we make the transition to a safer, cleaner sources of energy.
Background info:
Earlier this year, the EPA released proposed details of the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP), a voluntary component of EPA’s historic Clean Power Plan. It will provide significant benefits by incentivizing investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy in low-income communities and encouraging states to take immediate action to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector.
You can learn more on the topic at the EPA
here. (In addition to the above instructions, you can also email comments about the CEIP to
epa.gov with "Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2016-0033" as the subject line.)
