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.
Today in 🌎 Protect Our Planet, we’re featuring: November 10, 2024 news briefs and 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 Trump's EPA Staff: Stop Lying About Your Record
Click here to Tell the Fed to Fight Climate Change
Call your member of Congress today (202) 224-3121 and ask them to support bills that protect our planet
Register to vote, vote, and help elect leaders committed to protecting our planet
Click here to Save the Bees
Click here to Tell the EPA: Protect frontline communities from the harms of vinyl chloride!
Click here to signup for our next training: Stop Project 2025: Mobilize for Change
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Protect Our Planet - News Briefs - November 10, 2024
Multilateral banks are key to financing the fight against global warming. Here is how they work
ABC News By Mary Katherine Wildeman
International mega banks, funded by taxpayers, countries are struggling to adapt to the new reality. Preparing to better withstand hurricanes, floods, heat waves, droughts and wildfires will take hundreds of billions of dollars.
As Australia puts more focus on climate change, New Zealand is accused of pulling back
NBC News By Mahalia Dobson
Two major countries’ approach to climate change has turned upside down Down Under. Australia and New Zealand, whose governments both changed hands in their most recent national elections, have undergone a role reversal of sorts when it comes to climate change, with consequences for their own populations as well as the South Pacific region, where they are the dominant players.
World leaders aim to shape Earth's future at COP29 climate change summit
USA Today By Elizabeth Weise
World leaders will gather for about two weeks in the former Soviet republic of Azerbaijan starting Monday, with a goal of figuring out how much wealthy countries should pay to help developing nations facing devastating effects of climate change.
'Drill, baby, drill!' and climate change denial: California braces for a Trump environment
LA Times By Susanne Rust, Ian James, Lila Seidman, Tony Briscoe
As a candidate, President-elect Donald Trump repeatedly professed his love of clean air and water, but he also dismissed climate change as a hoax, railed against zero emission electric vehicles and expressed contempt for the environmental regulations that seek to protect California rivers and estuaries.
'Climate change is real': New York firefighter killed as historic drought fuels blazes
USA Today By John Bacon, William Westhoven
A firefighter was killed battling blazes that stretched from New Jersey into New York over the weekend as historic drought conditions intensified a stranglehold across the Northeast, fueling wildfires and threatening lives and homes. New York City has been enveloped in hazy skies from wildfires for days, and an air quality alert was issued for the city and nearby areas of New York State and New Jersey into Monday.
Protect Our Planet - Video Highlights - November 10, 2024
COP29: Canada “doesn’t have best story to tell” on climate change, Guilbeault says | Global News
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 to Take at Home
Reduce Energy Consumption: Use energy-efficient appliances, switch to LED lighting, and consider smart thermostats to minimize electricity use. Turning off lights and unplugging devices when not in use also helps reduce energy waste.
Switch to Renewable Energy Sources: If available, choose green energy options from your utility provider, such as wind or solar power. Installing solar panels can also be an option for homeowners looking to produce their own clean energy.
Limit Water Usage: Water processing and heating require a significant amount of energy. Reduce water waste by fixing leaks, taking shorter showers, and using water-saving appliances.
Adopt a Plant-Based Diet: The meat industry contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing meat and dairy consumption, even just a few days a week, can significantly lower your carbon footprint.
Compost and Recycle: Organic waste in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting food scraps and recycling materials like paper, glass, and plastic can reduce waste and emissions.
Drive Less: Opt for public transportation, carpooling, biking, or walking whenever possible. For those with longer commutes, consider a fuel-efficient or electric vehicle to reduce carbon emissions from driving.
Actions to Take at Work
Promote Remote Work and Virtual Meetings: If feasible, remote work can reduce the emissions associated with commuting and office energy use. Virtual meetings also reduce the need for travel, lowering the company’s overall carbon footprint.
Implement Energy-Efficient Practices: Encourage the use of energy-efficient lighting and heating/cooling systems in the workplace. Installing motion sensors for lights and upgrading insulation can make a big difference.
Reduce Paper Waste: Transition to digital documents and reduce printing wherever possible. If printing is necessary, use recycled paper and set printers to print double-sided by default.
Encourage Sustainable Commuting: Offer incentives for employees who use public transportation, bike, or carpool to work. Many organizations provide tax benefits or stipends for sustainable commuting.
Source Green Office Supplies: Opt for eco-friendly office supplies, including recycled paper, non-toxic cleaners, and biodegradable products. Encouraging the purchase of sustainable materials supports eco-friendly businesses and reduces waste.
Advocate for Climate-Conscious Policies: Support or suggest company policies that focus on sustainability, such as sourcing from eco-friendly vendors, conducting waste audits, and setting carbon reduction goals.
The Importance of Collective Action
While individual actions are essential, they alone will not solve climate change. Systemic change is necessary, and this requires us to advocate for climate action at all levels of government and in every sector of society. Supporting policies that promote renewable energy, protect natural habitats, and regulate industrial emissions is critical. By voting for climate-conscious leaders, participating in climate activism, and educating others, we can push for the changes needed to prevent further environmental degradation.
The fight against climate change is a collective effort. Each of us has a role to play, whether by making personal lifestyle changes, influencing workplace practices, or advocating for sustainable policies. If we fail to take action, we risk leaving a world uninhabitable for future generations. However, by working together, we can mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and create a sustainable future for ourselves and those who come after us.
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.