I have so much respect and gratitude for the work you do, Emily.
My focus angle at the moment is climate education, and helping people grasp the science of the problem, to empower them to take action.
The organization I'm involved with - The Climate Fresk - developed a gamified approach to climate education, by turning IPCC reports into a 42 cards game. Participants play in teams to piece together the different components of climate change, and learn by doing as opposed to watching or reading content. It's the best overview of the problem you can get in 3 hours.
The game has been played by 180,000 people already and we're aiming for 1 million by 2022.
We have a network of facilitators in the US and would love to see the game scale there. It would be a huge help to get a mention from a media like HEATED.
Laure - I love it! I think I can help get to a few million. :)
I have a company, Grit 'N Wit, that hosts events at hundreds of middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout the Northeast. I would love to chat and see how I could help. I also know a few people rolling out climate change curriculum in K-12 and in college/grad school. You can email me at james.moher@gmail.com. Thanks!
Laure, having just read your post after posting about our game (above and at #PlayEnergetic on Twitter, if you're curious), I think a game issue of HEATED would be the logical thing to do. : )
Hi Richard, I'm super interested in Energetic, it looks amazing. I forwarded to my counterparts who lead our organisation in the US and they were very interested too. Maybe we could organise something where we play Energetic and you guys play the Climate Fresk ? If there are sessions online that can be compatible with the Australian time zone I'd be keen. Cheers!
hi Laure, following up on this, it would be great to talk. We recently did a call with a team at Ubisoft and Climate Fresk came up in the conversation. Let's see if we can build game synergy. I'm not sure if you've emailed me and I've lost it, but here's my email again: richard@thecityatlas.org. And here's how Energetic works in high school: https://youtu.be/sY644fQRehY. Happy to host a game on Australian time.
We would love to set something up. We can send you the app to play on Steam (we've played with people all over the world). And we'd love to play Climate Fresk. I look forward to connecting on email to coordinate: Richard Reiss <richard@thecityatlas.org>
1. One of the best things you can do is join a group. I volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. (cclusa.org/join). I'm also working with my local League of Women Voters chapter to push more on local policy.
2. Call your Representative and Senators, at least monthly (cclusa.org/call), to tell them climate change is an important issue for you.
3. Vote for climate candidates in every election. You can also do canvasing with orgs like Environmental Voter Project (https://www.environmentalvoter.org/)
Double like for the “donate” piece. I found out my company matches donations to several of Vox’s recs; so I’ve contributed (counting company match) over $1k already.
Thank you, Emily. I sometimes dread reading your newsletter because of how dire things are, but today I feel inspired. And I'm gifting some subscriptions.
Thank you! Exactly what I needed to read today. In addition to calling my electeds on the regular (I’m shy, so I usually phone after hours & leave a message), I write an email newsletter for friends & family that includes climate news—and always several action items. Inspired by Mary Heglar, I’ve also started trolling oil companies on Twitter, which is extremely fun.
One (very British) example I always give of how to play a role in climate activism is that there is always someone needed to make the cups of tea. We need caregiver roles in movement spaces, we need people to ensure the plates get cleaned at the end of meetings, we need people to bake the vegan flapjacks so protestors are well fed. We need all of it and this piece gets it spot on, too!
One thing I'm doing at the moment, alongside organising and direct-action and online activism, is hosting a podcast called 'idealistically', which is asking people what they would idealistically want, in an ideal world. Because I truly believe we need to actually talk about what the world could look like if we all put our minds to it. It's a nice way for me to balance out all the doom and challenge my ideas of what we really deserve in a healthy and happy world. Here if you're interested - tolmeiagregory.com/idealistically :)
Thanks for all your amazing work as always, Emily!
Thanks for this piece. It really is great to see a U.S.-based journalist move the nexus of the climate crisis to parts of the world that have been deeply enmeshed in this hell for years preceding the series of catastrophes the U.S. recently faced.
I've been producing and co-hosting a weekly environmental/climate crisis podcast called Mada Fyah that looks at these issues from a Belizean perspective. It's been great to talk to people working at every level in Belize on issues directly touching and intersecting with the climate crisis.
I love this! Great list of resources, helpful perspective: my Heated subscription feels more valuable every day. As a direct result of today’s newsletter, I’m increasing my subscription level, joining the “No Climate, No Deal” campaign, and supporting Southerly. Thank you, Emily!
If you're one of the many many Americans who regularly attend a congregation, there's a growing and powerful faith climate movement that can support you in engaging your whole community in this fight, as a matter of moral urgency. I'm part of the Interfaith Power & Light network (interfaithpowerandlight.org), but there's also Climate Justice Ministries, Catholic Climate Covenant, Dayenu, One Earth Sangha, EcoSikh, Green Muslims, UU Ministry for Earth, GreenFaith, and many more! After over a decade in the trenches (really fellowship halls, folding chairs) doing climate organizing in faith communities, I'm as passionate as ever that religious voices have a critical role to play in reframing the climate crisis as a matter of doing right ... by each other, by future generations, and by the natural world.
Here are a few ways I get involved, in case anyone would like to also give them a try.
1) I've moved my money to a bank that exclusively loans money only to climate-positive endeavors, and never to fossil fuels. I personally use Ando, but others exist as well like Aspiration. At the very least, big banks tend to finance fossil fuels more than credit unions, so that's something to consider as well.
2) I contact my state's public service commission about clean energy standards, as these committees often have a huge say in what can be done locally.
3) I'm working with a group of activists to urge my University to divest from fossil fuels and instead reinvest in ESG funds.
4) I've joined the Citizen's Climate Lobby monthly call team to bug my reps and senators every month about a carbon fee and dividend (among other bills), but seeing as I live in KY that has not really accomplished much.
Far and away though the most effective thing that I've found has just been lowering my own emissions. Others take interest in this kind of thing and it has sparked a number of conversations on the topic. Actually seeing the effect in your community is a huge morale boost, even if the change is small. Kind of refuels me to tackle the larger problems.
Yes! Another good option is Almost bank. Oil companies need two things to keep polluting: government permits, and financing. We need to cut off both. For folks interested in the latter, check out stopthemoneypipeline.org
"Right now, we are finding banks that have existing renewable energy lending programs, and we’re slotting our capital into those programs. Later this summer, we will launch our own direct lending program, where we’ll start doing the loan origination for many smaller projects. Ultimately, Atmos is a climate tech company focused on decarbonization, and our products and services will help us achieve that mission."
HR 2307 The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act currently has 76 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Advocating for carbon pricing in general and HR2307 in particular is worth our efforts, and is one climate solution that stands a chance of passing by reconciliation. In general carbon pricing is more palatable to conservatives than clean energy standards. Progressives concerns about regressive impacts on low income can be assuaged by examining the details. In contrast to cap and trade policies, HR2307 would benefit the lower income citizens by sending them a monthly payment that more than offsets increased energy prices. Joining Citizens' Climate Lobby is an effective way to advocate for carbon pricing.
Dear Emilie, I have been reading you now for three quarters of a year and today’s message urged me to subscribe. I want to do more and you provided great inputs.
Last year I wrote 15 articles for my local paper. I mentioned your column in a few. It focused on the interaction of climate change with agriculture, environment, energy and governance. Friends and family gave me good feedback but it felt like I was punching a Pillsbury doughboy. — zero reaction. They finally did react (negatively) when I quoted Greta Thunberg. Sad.
Thank you Emily - just did (in under 5 minutes) several of your suggested actions. My suggested action: CALL YOUR SENATOR, every day, demanding an end to the filibuster and passage of big, bold climate action (e.g. NOT the milquetoast 'bipartisan' infrastructure bill, paid for by Exxon).
Really appreciate the concluding reminder that fossil fuel corporations are scared of us taking action!
Many folx in the youth climate movement are jumping into the new Youth Climate Finance Alliance and holding financiers accountable as polluters. Future Coalition is putting on a whole training series for young people this summer that kicked off last week: https://trainings.futurecoalition.org/
Thank you Emily. This read is the clarity that my overwhelmed, stressed and anxiety ridden mind needed today. For someone new to the fight just finding my way you and you’re newsletters have been a great find.
I want to reinforce John Smilley's endorsement of Citizens' Climate Lobby (https://citizensclimatelobby.org; CCL). I, too, am a volunteer with CCL. In our polarized political environment, CCL is training citizens to be more effective advocates for climate action--when speaking to Democrats OR Republicans. CCL's non-partisan approach is sorely needed, since effective climate action legislation at the Federal level is unlikely to happen without the support of at least some members of both major parties.
I have so much respect and gratitude for the work you do, Emily.
My focus angle at the moment is climate education, and helping people grasp the science of the problem, to empower them to take action.
The organization I'm involved with - The Climate Fresk - developed a gamified approach to climate education, by turning IPCC reports into a 42 cards game. Participants play in teams to piece together the different components of climate change, and learn by doing as opposed to watching or reading content. It's the best overview of the problem you can get in 3 hours.
The game has been played by 180,000 people already and we're aiming for 1 million by 2022.
We have a network of facilitators in the US and would love to see the game scale there. It would be a huge help to get a mention from a media like HEATED.
Best 💚
Laure
Laure - I love it! I think I can help get to a few million. :)
I have a company, Grit 'N Wit, that hosts events at hundreds of middle schools, high schools and colleges throughout the Northeast. I would love to chat and see how I could help. I also know a few people rolling out climate change curriculum in K-12 and in college/grad school. You can email me at james.moher@gmail.com. Thanks!
Laure, having just read your post after posting about our game (above and at #PlayEnergetic on Twitter, if you're curious), I think a game issue of HEATED would be the logical thing to do. : )
Hi Richard - just sent Laure a message (see above) re: helping roll out her game. Would love to chat to you as well.
hi James, I have emailed you, and here's our deck: https://bit.ly/CityAtlasEnergetic8 It would be great to talk. richard@thecityatlas.org
Hi Richard, I'm super interested in Energetic, it looks amazing. I forwarded to my counterparts who lead our organisation in the US and they were very interested too. Maybe we could organise something where we play Energetic and you guys play the Climate Fresk ? If there are sessions online that can be compatible with the Australian time zone I'd be keen. Cheers!
hi Laure, following up on this, it would be great to talk. We recently did a call with a team at Ubisoft and Climate Fresk came up in the conversation. Let's see if we can build game synergy. I'm not sure if you've emailed me and I've lost it, but here's my email again: richard@thecityatlas.org. And here's how Energetic works in high school: https://youtu.be/sY644fQRehY. Happy to host a game on Australian time.
We would love to set something up. We can send you the app to play on Steam (we've played with people all over the world). And we'd love to play Climate Fresk. I look forward to connecting on email to coordinate: Richard Reiss <richard@thecityatlas.org>
You should include a link; I'm sure people would be interested
Ah - that's an excellent point thank you Darren. More information available here => https://climatefresk.org/
And if anyone is interested in a workshop in the US, please reach out to unitedstates@climatefresk.org
Thank you 💚
Great post! If you care about politics, sign up for Climate Hawks Vote emails. We build grassroots political power for the climate movement, and that's everything from supporting pro-climate candidates in special elections in New Mexico and Ohio this year to organizing letters to Congress in support of a Civilian Climate Corps. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/support-the-civilian-climate-corps/?referrer=group-climate-hawks-vote&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fsecure.actblue.com%2fdonate%2fthankschv%3frefcode%3dEMAIL2%26amount%3d4.00&emci=c72eefdc-1ee0-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=df527e15-11e3-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=1868483
Love Climate Hawks Vote emails. I'm a sustainer and often follow their actions
1. One of the best things you can do is join a group. I volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby. (cclusa.org/join). I'm also working with my local League of Women Voters chapter to push more on local policy.
2. Call your Representative and Senators, at least monthly (cclusa.org/call), to tell them climate change is an important issue for you.
3. Vote for climate candidates in every election. You can also do canvasing with orgs like Environmental Voter Project (https://www.environmentalvoter.org/)
4. Donate. One thing I'm trying to do now is get a solar array for a local nonprofit. You can also do small monthly donations to many different organizations. Some suggestions: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/12/2/20976180/climate-change-best-charities-effective-philanthropy
5. If you want to work on your personal footprint, there are a ton of ideas here.
https://globalecoguy.org/a-personal-action-guide-for-the-environment-20d70fcdd840
Doing things for your personal footprint also helps change norms ("social contagion"). https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/02/20/how-peer-pressure-can-help-save-planet/
6. As Dr. Katharine Hayhoe says, talk about it! https://www.ted.com/talks/katharine_hayhoe_the_most_important_thing_you_can_do_to_fight_climate_change_talk_about_it?language=en
Double like for the “donate” piece. I found out my company matches donations to several of Vox’s recs; so I’ve contributed (counting company match) over $1k already.
A company match for your like, even.
Thank you, Emily. I sometimes dread reading your newsletter because of how dire things are, but today I feel inspired. And I'm gifting some subscriptions.
❤️
Thank you! Exactly what I needed to read today. In addition to calling my electeds on the regular (I’m shy, so I usually phone after hours & leave a message), I write an email newsletter for friends & family that includes climate news—and always several action items. Inspired by Mary Heglar, I’ve also started trolling oil companies on Twitter, which is extremely fun.
One (very British) example I always give of how to play a role in climate activism is that there is always someone needed to make the cups of tea. We need caregiver roles in movement spaces, we need people to ensure the plates get cleaned at the end of meetings, we need people to bake the vegan flapjacks so protestors are well fed. We need all of it and this piece gets it spot on, too!
One thing I'm doing at the moment, alongside organising and direct-action and online activism, is hosting a podcast called 'idealistically', which is asking people what they would idealistically want, in an ideal world. Because I truly believe we need to actually talk about what the world could look like if we all put our minds to it. It's a nice way for me to balance out all the doom and challenge my ideas of what we really deserve in a healthy and happy world. Here if you're interested - tolmeiagregory.com/idealistically :)
Thanks for all your amazing work as always, Emily!
Thanks for this piece. It really is great to see a U.S.-based journalist move the nexus of the climate crisis to parts of the world that have been deeply enmeshed in this hell for years preceding the series of catastrophes the U.S. recently faced.
I've been producing and co-hosting a weekly environmental/climate crisis podcast called Mada Fyah that looks at these issues from a Belizean perspective. It's been great to talk to people working at every level in Belize on issues directly touching and intersecting with the climate crisis.
You can find it on Anchor (https://anchor.fm/madafyah) Facebook (facebook.com/MadaFyah), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/MadaFyah). You can also help offset some of the cost of our show by going to our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/madafyah).
I love this! Great list of resources, helpful perspective: my Heated subscription feels more valuable every day. As a direct result of today’s newsletter, I’m increasing my subscription level, joining the “No Climate, No Deal” campaign, and supporting Southerly. Thank you, Emily!
Thank YOU andrew!!
If you're one of the many many Americans who regularly attend a congregation, there's a growing and powerful faith climate movement that can support you in engaging your whole community in this fight, as a matter of moral urgency. I'm part of the Interfaith Power & Light network (interfaithpowerandlight.org), but there's also Climate Justice Ministries, Catholic Climate Covenant, Dayenu, One Earth Sangha, EcoSikh, Green Muslims, UU Ministry for Earth, GreenFaith, and many more! After over a decade in the trenches (really fellowship halls, folding chairs) doing climate organizing in faith communities, I'm as passionate as ever that religious voices have a critical role to play in reframing the climate crisis as a matter of doing right ... by each other, by future generations, and by the natural world.
Thank you for posting. You may not remember me but I was arrested with you 10 years ago in DC Keystone XL Pipeline protest. In Solidarity, Basia
Hi everyone,
Here are a few ways I get involved, in case anyone would like to also give them a try.
1) I've moved my money to a bank that exclusively loans money only to climate-positive endeavors, and never to fossil fuels. I personally use Ando, but others exist as well like Aspiration. At the very least, big banks tend to finance fossil fuels more than credit unions, so that's something to consider as well.
2) I contact my state's public service commission about clean energy standards, as these committees often have a huge say in what can be done locally.
3) I'm working with a group of activists to urge my University to divest from fossil fuels and instead reinvest in ESG funds.
4) I've joined the Citizen's Climate Lobby monthly call team to bug my reps and senators every month about a carbon fee and dividend (among other bills), but seeing as I live in KY that has not really accomplished much.
Far and away though the most effective thing that I've found has just been lowering my own emissions. Others take interest in this kind of thing and it has sparked a number of conversations on the topic. Actually seeing the effect in your community is a huge morale boost, even if the change is small. Kind of refuels me to tackle the larger problems.
Yes! Another good option is Almost bank. Oil companies need two things to keep polluting: government permits, and financing. We need to cut off both. For folks interested in the latter, check out stopthemoneypipeline.org
Ugh - spellcheck! - that should say Atmos Bank: https://www.joinatmos.com
I joined Atmos a couple months ago! Good pick.
What projects has Atmos funded? It was not clear from their website.
"Right now, we are finding banks that have existing renewable energy lending programs, and we’re slotting our capital into those programs. Later this summer, we will launch our own direct lending program, where we’ll start doing the loan origination for many smaller projects. Ultimately, Atmos is a climate tech company focused on decarbonization, and our products and services will help us achieve that mission."
https://readtheimpact.com/banking-on-climate-solutions/
I just learned about this resource for sustainable banking and investment: https://marilynwaite.com/sustainable-banking-and-investing/#us_flg
A good list of banks here.
I hadn't personally heard of Ando Bank before and I like their ideas but this was pretty alarming to see when I looked into them: https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-diego/profile/banking-services/ando-inc-1126-1000086370/complaints
HR 2307 The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act currently has 76 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives. Advocating for carbon pricing in general and HR2307 in particular is worth our efforts, and is one climate solution that stands a chance of passing by reconciliation. In general carbon pricing is more palatable to conservatives than clean energy standards. Progressives concerns about regressive impacts on low income can be assuaged by examining the details. In contrast to cap and trade policies, HR2307 would benefit the lower income citizens by sending them a monthly payment that more than offsets increased energy prices. Joining Citizens' Climate Lobby is an effective way to advocate for carbon pricing.
Dear Emilie, I have been reading you now for three quarters of a year and today’s message urged me to subscribe. I want to do more and you provided great inputs.
Last year I wrote 15 articles for my local paper. I mentioned your column in a few. It focused on the interaction of climate change with agriculture, environment, energy and governance. Friends and family gave me good feedback but it felt like I was punching a Pillsbury doughboy. — zero reaction. They finally did react (negatively) when I quoted Greta Thunberg. Sad.
I hope you get more people to act.
Thank you Emily - just did (in under 5 minutes) several of your suggested actions. My suggested action: CALL YOUR SENATOR, every day, demanding an end to the filibuster and passage of big, bold climate action (e.g. NOT the milquetoast 'bipartisan' infrastructure bill, paid for by Exxon).
US Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Find your Senator's direct number here - https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm - and add it to your favorites. Makes calling them every day easier.
Really appreciate the concluding reminder that fossil fuel corporations are scared of us taking action!
Many folx in the youth climate movement are jumping into the new Youth Climate Finance Alliance and holding financiers accountable as polluters. Future Coalition is putting on a whole training series for young people this summer that kicked off last week: https://trainings.futurecoalition.org/
Thank you Emily. This read is the clarity that my overwhelmed, stressed and anxiety ridden mind needed today. For someone new to the fight just finding my way you and you’re newsletters have been a great find.
I want to reinforce John Smilley's endorsement of Citizens' Climate Lobby (https://citizensclimatelobby.org; CCL). I, too, am a volunteer with CCL. In our polarized political environment, CCL is training citizens to be more effective advocates for climate action--when speaking to Democrats OR Republicans. CCL's non-partisan approach is sorely needed, since effective climate action legislation at the Federal level is unlikely to happen without the support of at least some members of both major parties.