Letter: There are many ways to help fight climate change
I was touched by the Daily Herald's editorial lauding schools that teach our young to be climate optimists by empowering them to take action. However, our young deserve action from all of us to ensure a bright future. Every generation can alter their daily habits and become advocates for decarbonization at the individual, local, state and national level.
Green America promotes 10 ways consumers can tackle climate change, including eliminating food waste, eating a more plant-based diet, using LED lighting and improving insulation.
Faith communities have become a leading voice on climate change. Last year, the first papal encyclical was dedicated wholly to the environment, along with declarations on climate change from Buddhist, Muslim, and Jewish leaders. Faith in Place partners with houses of worship to create Green Teams. Green Teams connect spiritual practices with climate change solutions and inspire their faith communities to incorporate environmental consciousness into all activities.
Local municipalities can join the Greenest Region Compact, which now includes the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus" 2021 Climate Action Plan for the Chicago Region - one of the first regional climate plans in the United States.
Hawaii transformed itself from relying heavily on fossil fuels to leading on renewables, instituting laws to encourage the shift. Illinois followed suit with the passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act.
Citizens Climate Lobby has more than 420 chapters across the US, building support in Congress for a national, bipartisan solution to climate change. CCL also supports over 150 international chapters on six continents. Real solutions require recycling more material in the supply chain, cutting out plastics, and revamping manufacturing processes and product designs.
Grim facts about a warming planet contribute to a growing crisis of anxiety in our youth. It is up to all of us to protect our children and our children's children.
Donna Limper
Bloomingdale