16 year old Greta Thunberg landed in the US recently after crossing the ocean from Sweden in a zero emissions boat, avoiding the oversized carbon footprint of long distance flying. It must have been a true assault on her senses to go from the sounds of the ocean to the chaos of New York City. “What is the difference in thinking about climate change here and in Sweden?” interviewer Trevor Noah asked her. “Here (in the US) people think ‘ I believe it’ or ‘ I don’t know if I believe it’. In my country we know it is true.”
“Why do you think it’s such an issue for younger people?” “Some older people say ‘I’ll be gone anyway so screw it’, but it’s our future.”
According to Greta – and don’t doubt that she has her facts straight – 200 species go extinct EVERY DAY…EVERY DAY. And we have only 8 1/2 years to turn things around. Some say it is already too late.
Noah to Greta: What is the ONE thing you would have people do? Greta: EDUCATE THEMSELVES.
I am hopeful that the articles and links below will help inform you:
https://www.lifeworth.com/deepadaptation.pdf
https://truthout.org/articles/in-the-face-of-climate-collapse-we-need-the-wisdom-of-elders/
On September 20th and 27th (bracketing the UN Action Climate Summit) teachers, students, and employees will walk out (or call out) of class or work to stand with the GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE (https://globalclimatestrike.net/) and FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE (https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/). Adults are being asked to stand with the strikers, forcing the issue that “business as usual” will no longer solve our problems. At this point the future of the upcoming generations is in the hands of the world’s political leaders. We MUST get their attention.
On September 21st people all over the world will come together for World Cleanup Day (https://www.worldcleanupday.org/). My day was planned before I knew about this event so here’s what I’ve decided to do: I will email and message family and friends (ahead of time) asking everyone to spend TWO hours that morning cleaning up their streets, parks, creeks, rivers, etc. as a show of faith for the Global Climate Strike and Mother Earth. JOIN ME. GATHER YOUR FRIENDS AND LOVE YOUR MOTHER!
There is much to be said. But I leave you with the above for now. Stay tuned!