… that we’re powerless. Inconsequential in the ‘big picture.” That no matter what we did it wouldn’t make any difference at this point.
Earlier today Climate Brief published What’s Your Climate Footprint? Snikeypoo wrote in Climate Code Red: We have 5.5 Years: “When the next IPCC report comes out, there will be no “slim hope” or “glimmer of a silver lining. It’s go time. In addition to your commitment to “Vote Blue,” what else would you be willing to participate in to help move the needle?” Twenty one out of the 73 people who voted in her poll said it’s too late.
We can’t afford that luxury!
In the comments, creekobear wrote:
There are many positive things we can do. For instance, promote regenerative agriculture. Buy from farmers that use regenerative techniques. Eat less meat from feed-lot fed beef (free range herbiovores are natural and essential for the soil and environment); consume less…. I think everyone here knows what to do to reduce their carbon footprint.
I do not recommend sit-ins and mass demonstrations. Think of the carbon footprint of these events.
DrSockMamawrote:
Grasslands also need to be heavily considered as, unlike forests where 55% of the carbon is above ground in trees, 89% of carbon is stored below ground in grasslands which means when a grassland burns not as much carbon is released. While algae and kelp are good ideas, I am not sure if the oceans will be able to support the volume we need given how much warming is taking place.
This evening, we’re here to bring you some ideas about events and opportunities you can get involved in, followed by some political climate news geared to get you really fired up and ready to go!
COMMUNITY
This week, you might be grieving. You might be angry.
Or you might be confused about what our path forward is to tackle climate change.
You don’t need to think through these questions alone. On Thursday, August 19, you’re invited to hear from climate thinkers and reflect on what comes next.
The speakers you’ll hear from include:
- Mike Africa, Jr., an activist, a writer, performer and hip hop artist. He is the star of the HBOmax documentary “40 Years A Prisoner,” about his struggle to free his parents from prison.
- Alexandria Villaseñor, the co-founder and youth staff coordinator of Earth Uprising. Inspired by Greta Thunberg, Alexandria began her own weekly school strike for climate in front of UN headquarters in December 2018.
- Daniel Aldana Cohen, the co-author of A Planet to Win: Why We Need a Green New Deal.
You’ll also get the chance to learn from more than 100 other climate activists as event participants come together to create a collective tapestry of reflections, analysis, resources, and commitments.
Don’t miss out on this chance to learn and build community.
Sign up today for On the Line.
ACTION
ADD YOUR NAME: DEMAND PRESIDENT BIDEN DECLARE CLIMATE CHANGE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY
From Oregon to Texas, from wildfires to winter storms, the results of our inaction on climate change are visible every day. It's a disaster and a grave threat to the future of our country and planet.
We’ve nibbled at the edges of the problem for too long. It’s time for bold action.
One key step? President Biden should declare climate change a national emergency.
That declaration will elevate climate change as a national security priority and allow us to devote more resources to cut carbon emissions, invest in clean energy, hold polluters accountable, and ensure climate justice for frontline communities.
Congressional Republicans continue to deny the scientific consensus, and have made clear their intention to block any meaningful action to curb carbon emissions. We can't wait. Each day they refuse to act is another day the problem becomes harder to fix.
Tell Biden & The Financial Industry: Stop the Money Pipeline
There's only 3 months until the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) begins in Glasgow, Scotland – and it’s the most important climate talks since the Paris Agreement.
Leaders from around the world will gather and make new climate commitments, and many corporations will release their latest climate plans during the conference.
We’re demanding that all financial institutions (like banks) end their support for fossil fuels before the start of COP26, and that financial regulators (like the Federal Reserve) put a definitive end to fossil fuel finance. Period.
In order to do that, we first need to gather hundreds of thousands of signatures and deliver them to key targets ahead of November. Will you help us reach our goal by signing our petition today to cut off all funding to fossil fuels?
The Earthbill
Join The Earth Bill Network on our Monday night meetings and meet activists nationwide organizing by Congressional District for Earth.
THE FIRST NEXT MOVE is in the U.S. House which plans to have its Build Back Better (Budget Reconciliation Bill) done by September 2021. So right now is an unprecedented window for action.
If we rise up now - you - we - can make history together, turn despair into hope, and change the global warming trajectory to save countless lives!
As the bill gets filed we're starting with a Pledge for you, your organization, and your Congressperson. Leadership starts with us! Welcome Earth Protectors!
Take Action in Your Home, School, or Community
According to the National Phenology Network, phenology is nature’s calendar—when cherry trees bloom, when a robin builds its nest, and when leaves turn color in the fall. Changes in phenological events are among the most sensitive biological responses to climate change. How plants and animals respond to climate can help us predict whether their populations will grow or shrink – making phenology a “leading indicator” of climate change impacts. Read more from the NPN about why phenology is so important for understanding climate change and how you can get involved with making your own observations.
POLITICS & CLIMATE CHANGE
(Background: What Does Net Zero Emissions Mean?)
The Big Con: How Big Polluters are advancing a “net zero” climate agenda to delay, deceive, and deny
This report makes clear that Big Polluters’ idea of “net zero” is part of their continued plan to protect deeply unjust global systems, distract from taking the real action needed, and to evade responsibility for the climate crisis and to continue to pollute.
Governments must stop buying into and reinforcing this dangerous scheme, and instead commit to real action to reach the needed emissions reductions by 2030, and to hold Big Polluters accountable for their deception.
NET ZERO PRODUCERS FORUM: A CATALYST FOR CLIMATE AMBITION OR YET ANOTHER DELAYING TACTIC?
On April 23, 2021, the United States, Canada, Qatar, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, which jointly account for 40 percent of global oil and gas production, announced the creation of a Net Zero Producers Forum (NZPF) to “develop pragmatic net-zero emission strategies.” Though the initiative was overshadowed by the flurry of announcements made by Heads of government at the Leaders Summit on Climate convened by President Biden, the creation of the NZPF is a significant development as it is arguably the first international initiative bringing together fossil fuel producers to discuss the impact of climate policy on the production of oil and gas directly.
Is Biden serious about climate? His 2,000 drilling and fracking permits suggest not
The only glimmer of hope offered in the IPCC report is that immediate, aggressive action by world leaders could still prevent a future of assured climate chaos from being even worse. As devastating as a 1.5C global temperature increase will be, a 2.5C increase would be unfathomable.
Being the historical top emitter of climate-killing greenhouse gases, the United States has a clear obligation to help lead the world in rapidly reducing emissions and transitioning the planet to clean, renewable energy. Yet every indication thus far from the Biden administration suggests that this critical, urgent action won’t be coming.
By pushing for more oil production, the US is killing its climate pledges
... Horrifyingly, as we digest the IPCC findings, the sense of momentum is flagging. The G7 in Cornwall in June could not agree on an end to coal. The EU and US are at loggerheads over carbon tariffs. The fractious meeting of G20 environment ministers in Naples last month showed how little goodwill there is ahead of the Cop26 summit in November. In the UK, which will preside over the meeting, the Tory party is engaged in bitter infighting over climate. In the US Congress, the climate component of Biden’s infrastructure bill has been reduced to a pale shadow. Meanwhile, as the global economy recovers so too are energy prices, stoking fears of increased fuel costs. In Germany, the Greens have been dogged by agitation around petrol prices. Finally, on Wednesday, in a statement issued from the White House by the national security adviser Jake Sullivan, these tensions exploded into the open.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES
Environmental heroes to inspire you in 2021
We all have a part to play but knowing where to start can be the hardest step. Luckily, there are plenty of inspirational people out there waiting to light a fire in all of us.
Over the past year, through its series
Call to Earth, CNN has highlighted environmental heroes who are protecting the planet. Here we present a selection of green champions who could inspire you to follow their path.
The writers in Climate Brief work to keep the Daily Kos community informed and engaged with breaking news about the climate crisis around the world while providing inspiring stories of environmental heroes, opportunities for direct engagement, and perspectives on the intersection of climate activism with spirituality, politics, and the arts.