Climate change is not going to wait and neither can we

This week, leaders from around the world are gathering in Scotland for COP26, and international conference to ensure we collectively meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. It comes at a time when the US’s own commitment to climate action is on the chopping block because of so-called compromise.

Senator Joe Manchin represents .5% of US population but is singlehandedly blocking policies that are incredibly popular across party lines:

• 82% of Americans want paid family leave

• 60% of Americans want climate action

• 67% of Americans believe there should be a wealth tax on billionaires

Something is terribly wrong when our representative democracy is not representing us. Biden needs to step it up and meet the commitments he made during the campaign; and he can do that now by pressuring congress to pass bold climate legislation before it’s too late. American families can’t wait. The planet can’t wait. And neither can we.

Greta Thunberg is panicking, but he is also hopeful. Let us channel our sacred rage into righteous action.

Kerri (she/her)

Art by @msconthemove

1. Why giving up hope is not an option. The true impact of activism may not be felt for a generation. That alone is reason to fight, rather than surrender to despair (an oldie but a goodie). [click to tweet]

2. As COP26 approaches, we’re following the lead of young climate activists who are throwing down and revolting in subversive ways. And it matters more than you think. [click to tweet]

3. Is there a livable future? Or will rich corporations trash the planet. Noam Chomsky on how our future hangs in the balance and why we need to pass the reconciliation bill now, before it’s too late. [click to tweet]

4. Tax the rich, help the children. Democrats plans aren’t Marxism. They’re as American as apple pie. [click to tweet]

5. Meet Lina Khan. The new FTC boss is and is standing up to corporations who have been bullying Americans and abusing their power (hi facebook). And she’s not willing to go “too far”. [click to tweet]

What is COP26? According to the Paris Agreement, world leaders should meet regularly to address climate change at the Conference of Parties (COP). This conference is supposed to form the foundation of future climate agreements for the world. It will be held this year on 10/31 in Glasgow, Scotland. This particular conference is critical because it’s still possible to meet the Paris Agreements goal of cutting global emissions in half by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050…but we have to act NOW. Here are 10 practical things you can do to support climate action this week:

1. Share the voices of people on the front line of climate change

2. Attend a local or virtual event in the countdown to COP26

3. Find out what your country has already committed to

4. Inspire the next generation of change makers

5. Encourage your employer or university to join the Race to Zero

6. Reduce your own carbon impact by taking one simple step

7. Get creative with a visual message of hope and action

8. Encourage your local government to plant some trees

9. Switch to green energy for a quick win for the planet

10. Keep up-to-date with the latest COP26 news

Art by @ecowithem_

Climate change education rarely accounts for our emotional lives, even though research shows that emotions are central to our ability to retain and act on information. Anxiety is a rational response to what we are witnessing all around us- from wildfires to bomb cyclones to flooding and pollution. It makes sense that we would be overwhelmed. But shutting down down doesn’t solve the problem, nor does it alleviate our anxiety. The practice is to feel the grief and loss of what is happening around us so that we can compost those feelings into meaningful action. And we need to do that together. Climate resilience is only possible in community where we can both co-regulate and co-create the more regenerative future we all deserve. Here are some tools for getting through:

• Book: A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Your Cool on a Warming Planet by Sarah Jacquette Ray

• Podcast: Outrage & Optimism

• Insta: @gen_dread

Photo by @futurepath

Healing is paying it forward.

Art by Association of Tribal Archives

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