Climate Change & the Global Climate Strike
"It is time to stop waffling so much and say that the evidence is pretty strong that the greenhouse effect is here." - Dr. James Hansen, June 23, 1988
This week we’ll be talking about anthropogenic climate change, its present and future impact, and what we can do to help limit its effects before it’s too late. - Amber & Katie
In 2018, we sat at 1.5°C above the global average temperatures from 1950-1980, continuing a decades-long trend of rising temperatures. If we don’t move quickly to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, we’re on track to increase average global temperatures to +3-5°C by 2100, an environmental disaster that would result in a mass die-off of plant and animal species, and the death and displacement of millions of people.
We don’t even have to look to the future to see devastation. Already, hurricanes are more powerful. Heat waves and droughts are more frequent and last longer. Sea levels are rising. Oceans are warming. Human deaths due to climate change may be as high as 400,000 annually.
Despite how dire the situation is, in the US, we’ve been going backwards on policies that limit greenhouse gas emissions. In the last 3 years, the federal government has overturned dozens of rules targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as left the Paris Climate Agreement and launched an antagonistic investigation into a deal between automakers and the state of California to reduce carbon emissions.
It’s almost like they want to speed up the looming climate disaster.
Over 30 organizations have come together to lead a Climate Strike and week of climate action, which will run September 20-27. Timed to coincide with the UN Climate Summit in New York City, the goal is for millions of people to demand immediate and transformative action on climate change from the UN and their country’s leaders. The demands include halting fossil fuel extraction, transitioning to renewable energy sources, respecting indigenous sovereignty and lands, investing in impoverished communities which are most likely to be impacted by climate change, protecting climate migrants, halting deforestation, and transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices.
For more information on how to #strikewithus, see below.
RSVP to a Climate Strike event in your area--OR if one isn’t already happening, volunteer to host one in your community--and share on social media.
Donate to the Youth Climate Action Fund, which will help support the week of climate action.
Call your members of Congress and tell them to support the Green New Deal resolution. Indivisible provides a list of phone numbers and a script. The GND is the most aggressive policy solution on the table and our best hope for limiting the impact of climate change.
Take the Nature Conservancy’s Carbon Footprint Quiz to see how much you contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and steps you can take to reduce your impact.
Take the EarthDay.org pledge to go Meatless on Mondays. The meat industry is responsible for a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Plant a tree OR donate to EarthDay.org’s Canopy Project, which is committed to planting 7.8 billion trees by Earth Day 2020.
Learn how you can reduce your home energy consumption. Replace your old school light bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs as they go out. Weatherproof and insulate your home to reduce your energy consumption. And call your electric company to see if you can switch to clean energy!
Check your tires! Properly inflated tires lead to improved fuel-efficiency.
When possible, ride a bike, take public transit, work from home, or carpool to reduce time burning gas in personal vehicles.
Find us on Instagram @LinkedandLoud and #LinkedandLoud. Let us know how you’ve taken action.
References
Where Greenhouse Gases Come From | Ames Lab, US Department of Energy
Climate Change Facts | Climate Action Reserve
Hurricanes and Climate Change | Union of Concerned Scientists
Climate change has contributed to droughts since 1900—and may get worse | National Geographic
The Facts about Climate Change and Drought | The Climate Reality Project
Ocean Warming, Explained | National Geographic
Major Climate Change Rules the Trump Administration is Reversing | New York Times
Environmental Protections on the Chopping Block | Environmental Integrity Project
One Year Since Trump’s Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement | Brookings
Editorial: Trump is trying to bully California and carmakers into giving up on climate change | LA Times
Global temperatures on track for 3-5 degree rise by 2100: U.N. | Reuters
How Trees Fight Climate Change | ArborDay.org
Linked & Loud illuminates complex problems and connects readers with the individuals and organizations working to solve them. Each week, we go beyond terrible headlines to empower readers to take progressive action.