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 November 27, 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 Trump's EPA Staff: Stop Lying About Your Record
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
BONUS
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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
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Protect Our Planet - News Briefs - November 27, 2024
Maine alleges oil companies concealed climate change link
The Hill By Zack Budryk
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey (D) this week announced a lawsuit against major oil companies and their top lobbying group, alleging they knowingly concealed the role of fossil fuels in climate change for decades.
Wildfire smoke increases risk of dementia, UW study finds
Seattle Times By Conrad Swanson
That risk will continue to rise as climate change warms the atmosphere and deepens wildfire seasons, said lead author Joan Casey, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Washington.
Drivers in 10 States Warned Over 'Hazardous' Conditions
Newsweek By Jess Thomson
Thick fog warnings are in place across 10 U.S. states, with the National Weather Service (NWS) advising drivers to be aware of potentially dangerous conditions.
The “Worst COP” Concludes With a “Heartbreaking” Climate-Finance Deal
The Nation By Carol Schaeffer
This year at COP was meant to address perhaps the most important question plaguing the climate-change movement: Who’s going to pay to stop climate change? Billed as the “finance COP,” negotiators were set with a task to clarify the money question. … Nor did a proposal to tax or AI, the carbon emissions of each industry alone could be sufficient to push global warming beyond Paris Agreement goals. But perhaps the negotiations were doomed from the start. … We face the enactment of Project 2025, a far-right supreme court, political authoritarianism, increasing inequality and record homelessness, a looming climate crisis, and conflicts abroad.
Defeating Trumpism With a People's Agenda
Common Dreams By C.J. Polychroniou
Greening the economy is a vital and urgent task to save humanity and the planet from the impacts of global warming but also provides a macro-economic approach to sustainable economic growth. … The next four years promise to be one of severe cruelty for the most vulnerable people in the United States and a nightmare for the environment. We should raise walls of resistance as much as we can.
Plastics lobbyists make up biggest group at vital UN treaty talks
The Guardian By Sandra Laville
Record numbers of plastic industry lobbyists are attending global talks that are the last chance to hammer out a treaty to cut plastic pollution around the world.
Protect Our Planet - Video Highlights - November 27, 2024
Scientists Discuss the Future of Extreme Weather | StarTalk
Ginger Zee explains the difference between climate and weather | ABC 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 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.