New Year, Renewed Purpose Ignite your personalized 12 month action plan for climate action

We are four years away from the Paris Agreement’s goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sadly, it is unlikely that the world will reach this target.

Yet it is still important for the world to come together to limit warming as much as possible. Nations must do much more, and each one of us, too.

Last month in these pages we identified ways that individuals can reduce waste and consumption, especially over the holidays. In the new year, it’s time to make a comprehensive plan for change.

So many of us make New Year’s resolutions but have trouble with the follow-through. By some estimates, only a quarter of us are still sticking to our resolutions when February arrives. What if we looked at our year and decided to add one new thing each month that benefits our planet and reduces harm?

Maybe this year, we won’t be part of the 75% who give up on their resolutions. We can create change through purposeful action.

Colorado’s 120-day legislative session starts this month. Make it a point to find out what your elected representatives are planning to do. Are they proposing laws that help our climate? If not, ask why. Call or write your state representative, Senator, or Congressperson and ask them about (and thank them for) their work to solve the climate crisis. Propose your own climate-changing idea that would require new legislation.

While we may be worried about energy costs this winter, it is a good time to look at how we can lower them. Start with understanding your energy consumption. This can help you create the easy wins: begin with using less energy for your home.

• You don’t have to install solar (although that would be great) to make impactful change.
• Research a solar co-op to join and purchase a share to offset what you use.
• Does your home need an insulation upgrade?
• Have you switched to LED lights yet?

These may seem like simple goals. But together, they all add up. And that is a good thing.

As we move into Spring and the gardening bug hits, plant native species in your yard. This boosts our local biodiversity.

Spring is when we think about food gardens and the start of farmers market season. Buying from local farmers reduces the number of miles traveled from farm to kitchen, and it supports our local economy.

Springtime is also a great season to start eating more vegetables and consume less meat. How we eat impacts the climate. Purchase only what you need and compost what has gone bad.

In the summer months, think about travel. Airplanes burn large amounts of fossil fuels. Taking fewer flights lowers your carbon footprint. Instead, consider travel by train — and also remember we live in Colorado, one of the most beautiful places anywhere. Plan a trip closer to home — here or in a neighboring state that won’t require flying.

In the Fall (if not earlier), commit to getting involved with one or more of the many environmental groups in our state.

Most everyone is familiar with the longtime great work done by the Sierra Club (sierraclub.org).

Other organizations have also emerged as forces for good, influencing public policy, bringing awareness, and inspiring politicians to pay attention. All offer opportunities for volunteers to work on many issues impacting our Earth’s climate.

Here are a few groups to consider contributing your talents and skills, depending on what best suits your interests:

The Climate Reality Project is a global movement with a Denver chapter mobilizing the transition from dirty fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. (climaterealityproject.org)

The organization 350.org is also a global effort to stop using fossil fuels and power up accessible renewables.

The Citizens Climate Lobby (citizensclimatelobby.org) is 420 chapters strong in the U.S, including 12 chapters in Colorado.

The Colorado Coalition for a Livable Climate (colivableclimate.org) is working on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment Colorado (environmentamerica.org/colorado) has one mission: To protect the natural world.

Conservation Colorado (conservationco.org) is working to advance climate action and environmental justice through organizing, advocacy and elections,

This next year, through your actions, commit to be part of the solution to the climate crisis. Together we can do this.

Tracey MacDermott
Chair Environment & Sustainable
Development

This opinion piece was originally published in The Greater Park Hill News, where the author is a monthly columnist. Previous columns can be found at greaterparkhill.org/?s=tracey+macdermott.