The question gets asked in polls constantly: "Do you believe in global warming?" People are required to give a yes or no answer and move on. The problem is that global climate change is happening and it is not something to "believe" in. Global climate change is happening, it is caused by humans, and more than 97% of climate scientists agree with this statement.
Last night on John Oliver's new HBO show "Last Week Tonight", John blew the argument of belief totally out of the water. He made the debate over belief in global warming "statistically representative", meaning that, with the help of Bill Nye, he brought in 96 other climate scientists to argue against the one skeptic. While it was certainly a great laugh, the sad part is that it is true. John Oliver's frustration was evident and understandable to anyone who listens to the science.
Now the question remains: Do we ignore the skeptics and move on with creating solutions to these tough issues? It is increasingly difficult to ignore skeptics when they appear to be in positions of power. Take Marco Rubio, Republican senator from Florida, who insists that humans are not the cause of global climate change. He represents a state that is quickly realizing the dire impacts of climate change. The sea level is rising and becoming a huge problem. This is a situation we clearly cannot ignore.
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Just as a single person becomes part of a group to build capacity, multiple groups can come together to form a powerful movement. The partnerships that are created between environmental organizations and governments are important in accelerating a move toward sustainability management and environmental stewardship. Each group alone faces individual hurdles, may they be financial, legal or resource-based. Each group can in turn help the other overcome these hurdles.
Lowell, MA is a city whose citizens are experiencing a transition to economic and environmental sustainability. This transition is not the work of one organization or the city government alone. This transition is occurring as a result of a complex network of local, state, and federal partnerships and connections. A great example of an important environmental and education partnership is between Mill City Grows and the West Meadow School Garden, located at the Dr. An Wang Middle School. Last year was the school's first growing season and they were able to donate 20 lbs. of fresh produce to local charities. Another example is the partnership between 350MA and A Better Future Project. 350.org is a worldwide organization that has nodes throughout the world. These nodes operate better when a partnership is formed with another organization. A Better Future Project focuses "on empowering, connecting, and activating leaders in this movement, working across and bringing together key constituencies," (Betterfutureproject.org). We can't all fight climate change alone, but together we can become more powerful and more influential. Tonight I attended the 350MA Greater Lowell weekly meeting. It was enlightening and also very convenient, as it was a 5 minute walk from my home.
The first thing was obvious: there aren't enough people involved in 35o for the Greater Lowell area. More people are needed to build capacity and to hold structured meetings. Secondly, the group does a great job of focusing on the local efforts that can be made to fight climate change. We discussed a possible divestment of the city of Lowell from fossil fuels. As the city does not have any investments in fossil fuels, such a statement may not be so difficult to make. What about UMass Lowell? When I asked this question, I was informed that in order for UMass Lowell to divest, the entire University system of Massachusetts would have to as well. This sounds like a big feat to accomplish. If these 350.org is a worldwide grassroots organization dedicated to fighting climate change. Tonight is an incredible opportunity for those of us residing in the Greater Lowell area to become involved in this organization. The White House released the US National Climate Assessment yesterday. It comes a couple months after working group two of the IPCC report was released. Many expected just another report, reiterating what the previous reports have already stated. While this is partially true, it also brings climate change to the forefront of public and news media attention.
The New York Times used a quote from the scientists as part of their headline, stating the report brings climate change "firmly into the present". Indeed, the report does well to explain what has already occurred as a result of climate change within the United States. It's language is clear and the imagery and graphing is both visually appealing and enlightening. While many news outlets were generally positive about the report's affect on the public, Fox News remained quite silent about it within its online news presence. A search for the article on the website came up empty. Then again, maybe I was not looking hard enough. The US National Climate Assessment clearly outlines the natural disasters associated with climate change and where in the country they are occurring. It dedicates less time than the IPCC report to future models and predictions, keeping the thoughts of its readers in the present. Who will read it though? How will the information be disseminated to the public? Only time will tell. Below is a link to the website. You can download the assessment (it is very long) or click "explore the NCA". http://www.globalchange.gov How has the Northeast fared? What has happened in Lowell? It looks as though it is hotter by about a degree. This is coupled with a 71% increase in precipitation from the top 1% most extreme weather events. While droughts will dry out soil, storms will cause severe flooding. As Lowell is located on the Merrimack River, it will be a struggle to adapt to possible floods and hotter summers. In my never ending quest for simplicity and sustainability, I am constantly searching for ways to make things on my own as opposed to purchasing them at the store. It started last year when I stopped using shampoo.
It is actually very easy to make the switch from conventional shampoo and conditioner to none at all. Previously, I was purchasing very expensive "organic" shampoo. It was still filled with about a hundred different ingredients and it was certainly breaking the bank. I knew there had to be a better way to be green while still maintaining a clean scalp. I started with a simple Google search and the first website I found had exactly the advice for which I was looking. The answer was just so simple: baking soda. I began using about a teaspoon on my head every three days for a year and haven't looked back. It's incredible! The benefits became very clear early on. I no longer needed to purchase shampoo. This cleaning method helped me to balance the natural oils my scalp creates, causing it to not look greasy or oily even after 2 or 3 days of not washing. I should be clear: everybody's head is different. Just like there are different shampoos for different hair types, there are also different combinations of things you can use to create your perfect recipe. Some people will need more baking soda, some less. Some may want to use a little vinegar after as a sort of conditioner, leaving your hair silky and workable. Today I attended "Play", this week's Mill No. 5 theme. Mill No. 5 is located at 250 Jackson st. in a beautiful old mill building in downtown Lowell. The theme refers to the multitude of child-related items for sale this week. Along with the usual suspects (the record store, fine leather goods, hand-crafted soaps and chocolates, etc.), the newcomers brought a sense of childlike wonder to the old, hippie-filled mill. From vintage toys, to bands playing children-themed music, it truly was a wonderful place to be on a Saturday afternoon.
The air was abuzz with chatter about community. I must have heard the word about 5 times during my walk around the marketplace. It is a great place to feel part of the community while simultaneously supporting and contributing to it. These local artisans are contributing to the growing culture of sustainability in the Greater Lowell area. The Marketplace Series: Every first Saturday at Mill No.5 at 250 Jackson St. in Lowell, MA. The market features crafts, home goods, and artisan goods. This is a great way to feel closer to the community, meet people, and promote sustainability by purchasing locally made products. |