Together, we can Protect Our Planet
🌎 Climate change poses an urgent and immediate danger to our environment, our planet, and the very future of life on Earth. Together, we can protect our planet.
🌍 Every action counts in the fight against climate change. Today in Protect Our Planet, we’re featuring December 3, 2024 news and critical calls-to-action.
Together, we can Protect Our Planet
Climate change poses an urgent and immediate danger to our environment, our planet, and the very future of life on Earth. We must stand strong in the face of these threats and take action to educate and empower our communities. Together, we can protect our environment, preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our planet, and ensure a sustainable future for all. Join us in defending our planet and fighting climate change-take action today!
Together, we can Protect Our Planet
Click here to Tell the Fed to Fight Climate Change
Click here to Tell Congress: Pass Emergency Hurricane Aid Funding
Click here to Tell Congress to Pass More Funds for FEMA, ASAP
Click here to Tell Trump's EPA Staff: Stop Lying About Your Record
BONUS
Click here to signup for Why We Must Stop Recess Appointments
Click here to signup for Biden Publish the ERA: Digital Town Hall
Click here to signup for our next training: Stop Project 2025: Mobilize for Change
Register to vote, vote, and help elect leaders committed to protecting our planet
Call your member of Congress today (202) 224-3121 and tell them to protect our communities by ensuring they implement policies that PROTECT OUR PLANET
Give us a ❤️ heart and leave a comment on this post. Share this post on your social media channel.
Click here to upgrade your subscription or become a paid subscriber
Stay connected, get Protect Our Planet on the Substack app
Protect Our Planet - News Briefs - December 3, 2024
Arctic could see its first ice-free day before the end of the decade: Study
The Hill By Sharon Udasin
“But it will show that we’ve fundamentally altered one of the defining characteristics of the natural environment in the Arctic Ocean,” she added. That departure from full-time ice and snow will have occurred because of greenhouse gas emissions, Jahn explained.
10 years and $42 million later, Jersey Shore town ends battle over its eroding beaches
Boston Globe By Wayne Parry
Shawn LaTourette, New Jersey’s environment protection commissioner, warned the town in 2023 that unauthorized work could have more serious consequences if it continues, including potential loss of future shore protection funding.
EU agrees deforestation law delay but discards changes
Reuters
It was hailed as a landmark in the fight against climate change, but emerging market countries from Brazil to Indonesia say it is protectionist and could exclude millions of poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market.
Local Tax Breaks for LNG Plants Don’t Benefit Communities, Report Says
Inside Climate News By Dylan Baddour
Researchers at the Sierra Club compiled tax break agreements between LNG developers and local governments in Louisiana and Texas in order to assess their financial impact.
Global warming fills New England’s rich waters with death traps for endangered sea turtles
Seattle Times By Patrick Whittle, Rodrique Ngowi
Global warming is filling the plankton-rich waters of New England with death traps for sea turtles and the number of stranded reptiles has multiplied over the last 20 years, turning some animal hospitals into specialized wards for endangered species with maladies ranging from pneumonia to sepsis … “Climate change certainly is allowing those numbers of turtles to get in where normally the numbers weren’t very high years ago,” Kennedy said. Cold-stunned sea turtles, sometimes near death, wash up on Cape Cod every fall and winter.
Trump Will Have Enormous Power Over Climate Action. Here's Why.
New York Times By David Gelles
While the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Biden in 2022, was the largest-ever federal law aimed at addressing climate change, it did not set any emissions standards or define a national strategy for addressing climate change. … This tit-for-tat exchange has left the United States with a scattershot approach to climate policy during a decade when the effects of global warming have become increasingly clear. "It is hard to build an enduring or durable set of policies through executive action," Rabe said.
Worthy read: Germans Combat Climate Change From Their Balconies
New York Times
Plug-and-play solar panels are popping up in yards and on balcony railings across Germany, driven by bargain prices and looser regulations.
Protect Our Planet - Video Highlights - December 3, 2024
Top UN court to rule on key climate questions | BBC News | BBC News
Pacific countries demand answers on climate change at the ICJ | The World ABC News Australia
Environmental harms from Project 2025:
Ends programs addressing climate change.
Eliminates much of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Cancels regulations to reduce environmental harm.
Increases oil drilling, coal mining, and natural gas extraction.
Deregulates big businesses and oil companies.
Stops expanding the electrical grid for wind and solar energy.
Cuts renewable energy funding.
Removes the U.S. from international climate agreements.
Stops climate change research.
Repeals tax subsidies for clean energy, including credits and tax breaks for green energy companies.
People Power United’s Statement on Protect Our Planet
In response to recent MAGA shenanigans to enact Project 2025 and harm our environment, People Power United - a progressive grassroots group - issued the following statement:
“Our planet is under attack as the MAGA agenda seeks to reward the rich and powerful at the expense of our environment. Climate change poses an urgent and immediate danger to our environment, our planet, and the very future of life on Earth. We must stand strong in the face of these threats and take action to educate and empower our communities. Together, we can protect our environment, preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our planet, and ensure a sustainable future for all. There is no power like that of the people, and People Power United stands ready to protect our communities against any and all injustices,” said Laurie Woodward García of People Power United.
People Power United will continue to oppose such harm to our community and champion civil rights for all.
The Urgency of Climate Change: Why We Must Act Now
Climate change is not a distant or abstract issue—it is a present and accelerating crisis that threatens the stability of ecosystems, economies, and societies worldwide. The scientific consensus is clear: human activities, particularly our reliance on fossil fuels, are driving an unprecedented increase in global temperatures. This rise in temperature is already causing devastating consequences, from extreme weather events to habitat loss and species extinction. Despite the overwhelming evidence, many still underestimate the severity of climate change or feel helpless to make a difference. This essay argues why taking climate change seriously is essential for our survival and provides actionable steps we can all take to help mitigate its effects.
Why We Should Take Climate Change Seriously
The evidence of climate change is all around us, and it grows more apparent with each passing year. From wildfires ravaging forests to hurricanes intensifying in frequency and strength, climate change is already impacting communities globally. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global temperatures have already risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and if we continue with business as usual, we risk surpassing the critical 1.5-degree threshold within the next decade. Exceeding this limit could result in catastrophic consequences, including widespread crop failures, rising sea levels, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and irreversible damage to natural ecosystems.
One reason we must take climate change seriously is that it poses a direct threat to human health. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can lead to an increase in infectious diseases, exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and contribute to mental health issues due to the trauma and anxiety of coping with extreme weather events. Additionally, climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities, often those who have contributed the least to global emissions. Low-income populations, Indigenous communities, and countries in the Global South face the harshest consequences, from food and water shortages to forced migration due to uninhabitable conditions.
Furthermore, the economic cost of inaction is staggering. The damage caused by extreme weather events costs billions of dollars every year, impacting infrastructure, agriculture, and public health. If we fail to address climate change, these costs will only escalate, leading to severe economic instability. Conversely, taking climate action can create millions of new jobs in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and green infrastructure.
What We Can Do: Practical Actions to Reduce Our Carbon Footprint
While the challenge of climate change may seem insurmountable, each of us has the power to contribute to solutions. By making small changes in our daily lives and encouraging others to do the same, we can collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a culture that values environmental stewardship. Here are some practical actions individuals can take at home and work to help mitigate global warming:
Actions You Can Take at Home
Cut Energy Use: Save energy by using energy-efficient appliances, switching to LED bulbs, and installing smart thermostats. Simple steps like turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use can significantly reduce energy waste.
Choose Renewable Energy: Opt for green energy from your utility provider, such as wind or solar power, if available. Homeowners can also consider installing solar panels to generate their own clean energy.
Conserve Water: Reducing water use lowers the energy needed for water processing and heating. Fix leaks, take shorter showers, and invest in water-saving appliances to conserve resources.
Shift to Plant-Based Meals: The meat and dairy industries are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. By eating plant-based meals, even just a few days a week, you can make a meaningful impact on your carbon footprint.
Compost and Recycle: Organic waste in landfills emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Compost food scraps and recycle materials like paper, glass, and plastic to minimize waste and emissions.
Drive Less: Reduce emissions by biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transit whenever possible. For longer trips, consider fuel-efficient or electric vehicles to lower your environmental impact.
Actions You Can Take at Work
Promote Remote Work: Remote work and virtual meetings can significantly cut emissions from commuting and reduce office energy consumption.
Upgrade to Energy Efficiency: Advocate for energy-efficient systems like LED lighting, improved insulation, and motion-sensor lighting in the workplace to save energy and reduce costs.
Go Digital: Transition to digital documents to reduce paper waste. If printing is necessary, use recycled paper and set printers to double-sided printing as the default.
Support Sustainable Commuting: Encourage employees to carpool, bike, or take public transit by offering incentives, stipends, or tax benefits.
Source Eco-Friendly Supplies: Use sustainable office products, including recycled paper, non-toxic cleaners, and biodegradable materials. Supporting green businesses helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability.
Advocate for Green Policies: Push for workplace sustainability initiatives like waste audits, sourcing from eco-friendly vendors, and setting measurable carbon reduction goals.
The Power of Collective Action
Individual efforts matter, but solving the climate crisis requires bold systemic change. Advocate for climate-conscious policies that support renewable energy, protect ecosystems, and regulate industrial emissions.
Vote for Climate Leaders: Elect officials committed to addressing climate change and implementing sustainable policies.
Engage in Climate Activism: Join local climate initiatives, sign petitions, or participate in protests to demand action from leaders and organizations.
Educate and Inspire Others: Spread awareness about climate issues and encourage others to take action, both individually and collectively.
Why Action Matters
The climate crisis threatens the future of our planet, but together, we can fight back. By combining personal changes with collective advocacy, we can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and create a world where future generations can thrive.
Now is the time to take climate change seriously—not tomorrow, not next year, but today. The choices we make will determine the world we leave behind, and together, we can ensure that world is one we can be proud of.
Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry! Check out our 2023 recap post to see how impactful our scrappy People Power United group is!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.