Environment

Let’s Say “Yes”

In her most recent book entitled NO Is Not Enough, author and activist Naomi Klein asserts that  “our historical moment demands more: a credible and inspiring “yes,” a roadmap to reclaiming the populist ground from those who would divide us – one that sets a bold course for winning the fair and caring world we want and need.” This is the challenge that is before us. Whether we are Republicans or Democrats, liberal or conservative, rich or poor, religious or non-religious, we all share the same home, Planet Earth.

The strongest voices throughout history are those that not only stood against something, but that articulated a clear and positive alternative. A few examples:

Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Dalai Lama: “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

John F. Kennedy: “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our responsibility for the future.”

Jimmy Carter: “Each of us must rededicate ourselves to serving the common good. We are a community. Our individual fates are linked; our futures are intertwined; and if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit together, as the Bible says: “We can move mountains.”

Pope Francis: “We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good.”

The challenge before us today is to resist the negativity that seems to bombard us from all sides and ask ourselves “What kind of world do we want?” We must ask this collectively, but also individually. “What kind of world do I want?” This question can be asked and answered on many levels, but Pope Francis has reminded us repeatedly in his encyclical Laudato Si’ that “Since everything is closely interrelated, and today’s problems call for a vision capable of taking into account every aspect of the global crisis, I suggest that we now consider some elements of an integral ecology, which clearly respects human and social dimensions. He continues later in the encyclical with the following: “The current crisis demands a very concrete response. “The effects of the present imbalance can only be reduced by our decisive action, here and now.”

Here and now we must come together around a vision of the world we want. We must pray about it, talk about it, and be willing to take action to make it a reality.

Let’s say “yes” – Part I – Personal Reflection

Take a few minutes each day to reflect on one or more of the following questions.

Let’s say “yes” to a healthy environment for all…

What kind of environment do I want for myself and my family?

What do I consider essential for a healthy environment?

What are the things that make my neighborhood a good place to live?

What would I like to change in my neighborhood?

Let’s say “yes” to dialogue

Am I willing to listen to the ideas of others – even those with whom I disagree?

Am I willing to hear the ideas of others with an open mind?

Am I willing to invite people to come together to talk about the needs of our neighborhood?  (city, country, and world)

Let’s say “yes” to collaboration

Am I willing to work with others, even those with whom I disagree, for the common good?

Am I willing to offer the gifts and talents I have for the common good?

Am I willing to accept the gifts and talents others have to offer for the common good?

Let’s say “yes” to creating the world we want…beginning in our own neighborhoods

Do I know the people in my neighborhood?

Are there diverse cultures in my neighborhood? If yes, have I taken the time to learn about the cultures of others?

Are there diverse faith traditions? Have I taken the time to learn about the faith traditions of others?

Do I value diversity?

Let’s say “yes” to becoming the change we want to see

What are the values I believe are essential for a healthy and peace-filled environment?

Do I live out of my values?

What are the changes I want to see in my neighborhood? ( city, country, world) and what am I willing to do to make them a reality?

Let’s say “yes” – Part II – Engage with others

Gather a group of friends and neighbors and begin to share the ideas you have for making your neighborhood a better place. Ask for their suggestions and ideas. Really listen to each other.

Let’s say “yes” – Part III – Take action

Choose an idea that you all agree on and make it a reality. Start small, but keep talking, keep dreaming and keep acting.

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More Jobs and Clean Energy

The United States joined more than 190 countries in signing the Paris Agreement and publicly professing our willingness to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. At the opening of the Paris meeting in December of 2015 President Obama addressed the gathering. “I have come here personally”, he said, “as the leader of the world’s largest economy and the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases to say that the United States not only recognizes its role in creating this problem, we embrace our responsibility to do something about it.” Specifically the US committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28 percent below the 2005 level in 2025. That would include curbs on carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, perflurocarbons, sulfur hexafluoride and nitrogen trifluoride, all of which contribute to the warming of the planet. This could be accomplished through a combination of laws, regulations and incentives.

This commitment was made to the people of the world and for the next President not to honor it, in the words of economist Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and a senior adviser to the U.N “would mean blowing off the whole rest of the world and I don’t think the United States would find another partner to do that. We would just be the renegade state on the world stage.”

President Trump’s proposed budget seeks a 31 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency’s budget and the dismantling of the Clean Power Plan. It is important that those of us who recognize the danger of not moving towards clean energy sources speak not in generalities, but in specifics. At a time when the rhetoric from Washington blames environmental regulations for job losses and perpetrates the myth that climate change is a hoax, it is not enough to simply talk about saving the planet. Obviously that is the ultimate goal, but in the meantime people are concerned about health and job security. Therefore, it is important to show that climate change solutions can contribute to quality of life here and now, not just for future generations.

According to the 2016 US Energy and Employment Report (USEER) from the US Department of Energy (DOE), solar energy employed more people than the traditional coal, gas, and oil combined. “Proportionally, solar employment accounts for the largest share of workers in the electric Power Generation sector,” the report released this past January states. It continues, “This is largely due to the construction related to the significant buildout of new solar generation capacity.” The report noted that 6.4 million Americans now work in the energy industry and in 2016 added 300,000 new net jobs, which made up 14 percent of the entire job growth of the US for the year.

The report also showed that there is an upward trend in energy efficiency across several industries. Data show that almost 32 percent of the US construction industry was working on energy or building energy efficient projects. Of the 2.4 million people working in the Motor Vehicles industry, the report identified 260,000 jobs supporting alternative fuel vehicles, an increase of 69,000 jobs in the last year. The USEER also surveyed energy industries across the country and asked them to predict projected job growth in the energy industry in 2017. The results of the survey predicted an increase in hiring across many industries within the energy sector. It is important to note that the survey also indicated that the highest growth rate over the next 12 months, a 9% increase or 200,000 jobs will be in the energy efficiency sector. David Foster, DOE Senior Advisor on Industrial and Economic Policy, stated that “Whether producing natural gas or solar power at increasingly lower prices or reducing our consumption of energy through smart grids and fuel efficient vehicles, energy innovation is proving itself as the important driver of economic growth in America.”

Kumar Venkat, founder of Clean Metrics Corporation notes that “Cutting fugitive methane emissions in the oil and gas industry could be done with existing technologies that have a short payback period due to the economic value of the recovered methane. But in general, curbing methane and black carbon emissions will require regulations that simultaneously address public health and climate change. The EPA under the Obama administration did just that last year with a rule targeting methane emissions from new or modified oil and gas wells.”

According to Michael Bloomberg, former Mayor of New York City, “More than 250 coal plants-almost half of the total number in this country-have announced in recent years that they will close or switch to cleaner fuels. Washington isn’t putting these plants out of business; the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan hasn’t even gone into effect yet. They are closing because consumers are demanding energy from sources that don’t poison their air and water, and because energy companies are providing cleaner and cheaper alternatives.”

World leaders spoke out in Paris on the importance of acting on climate change now. Below is a representative sample of their comments:

“Tackling climate change is a shared mission for mankind…Let us join hands to contribute to the establishment of an equitable and effective global mechanism on climate change, work for global sustainable development at a high level and bring about new international relations featuring win-win cooperation.” –President Xi Jinping, China

“To resolve the climate crisis, good will, statements of intent are not enough. We are at a breaking point.” –President Francois Hollande, France

“Governments must show the strongest leadership to limit the effects of climate change which we strongly believe is also the cause of radicalism and terrorism…” Prime Minister Enele Sopoaga, Tuvalu

“For Honduras, climate change is a matter of life and death. The figures don’t add up…we are not all equally responsible.” President Juan Hernandez, Honduras

“Small steps will no longer do. The biggest steps need to be taken by those with the biggest boots.” President Sauli Ninisto, Finland

If jobs and health are priorities now then we need to speak loudly and clearly about how keeping our commitment to the Paris Agreement and reducing our use of fossil fuels and increasing research on and use of alternative energies will create more jobs and provide a cleaner, healthier environment now, as well as create a habitable planet for future generations.

 

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From the Global to the Local: Take Action Now

Now more than ever those who can read the signs of the times and accept the science of climate change must move from passivity to activity. Although climate change is certainly a global issue, actions must begin at the local level, in our own backyards. Mayors are in the forefront of sustainability issues and a number of them have shown tremendous initiative in addressing issues at the local level. A key concern of municipalities throughout the United States is that the federal government cannot be regarded as a source of leadership on climate change. 

The series of questions that follows is designed for you to ask local leaders. It is time for us to challenge them. Schedule an appointment to meet with the mayor of your city or with someone from his/her office. Write a letter to him/her and/or write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper. Put the questions out there and get people thinking. It is not necessary to ask every single question. Choose those that are of most concern to you.

The following questions are derived from the areas of sustainability that are used to determine “Greenest Cities”: CO2 emissions, energy, land use, buildings, transport, water, waste, air quality, and environmental governance:

Does the Mayor belong to the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate Change and Energy?

How many buildings in the city are certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEEDS)?

What are the criteria for new building construction?

What plans does the city have to reduce dependence on fossil fuels?

What portion of the electricity in the city is from renewable energy sources?

How many miles of bikeways does the city have?

How many green roofs do city buildings have?

What plan does the city have to reduce greenhouse gases?

How efficient is public transportation?

Does the city have hybrid buses?

How much green space does the city have?

Does the city have a plan with target dates to reduce energy consumption?

Does the city ban the use of plastic bags?

Does the city have a climate action plan?

Does the city have an Office of Sustainability? (e.g. Philadelphia)

Sometimes it is difficult to feel that what one person does makes a difference. Then it is helpful to remember the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

A few quotes to ponder:

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and one another.” –Mahatma Gandhi

“The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long…America cannot resist this transition. We must lead it.” –Barack Obama

“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.” – David Orr

“If we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money will save us.” –David Suzuki

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” –Native American proverb.

“We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.” –Preamble to the Earth Charter

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