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Strike While the Climate is Hot
By Emily Lomax
September 27 was a big day for sustainable action. It concluded the Global Climate Strike, a week of youth-led protests, calling world leaders to take immediate action on the current climate crisis. Over 7.6 million people around the world mobilized to strike for climate action.
After the build-up and momentum, a lot of people are thinking…
What now?
What can each of us do? Whether you attended a climate strike or not, we can all use the strength of the global movement to propel us to take action.
1. Educate Yourself
- Climate change is a complex issue, but knowing the basics isn’t difficult. (I.e. What is climate change? What are the impacts it’s having and will have? What is the general direction we need to move it to mitigate these impacts?)
- Having a grasp of the essential facts makes it easier to ask questions, increase your awareness, share knowledge and take action.
- It’s important to remain critical of the information you read. Sources found via social media should be treated with caution. Obtaining information from trusted news sources (CBC, New York Times, BBC) that include citations to academic journals is a better way to ensure that you’re getting factual information.
- Climate Atlas of Canada is an interactive tool for citizens, researchers, businesses and community leaders to learn about climate change in Canada.
- Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet is a website created by NASA to provide the public with accurate and timely news and information about Earth’s changing climate, along with current data and visualizations, presented from the unique perspective of NASA, one of the world’s leading climate research agencies.
2. Think about it
- Take intentional time to think about climate change. Think about what you already know, and what you would like to know more about.
- Focus not just on the effects that climate change will have, but on the actions you can take in your life.
- Take a look around you. What are others doing? How are people in your community responding to climate change?
- Ask yourself the hard questions. Do you avoid thinking or talking about climate change?
3. Talk about it
- Talk to your family, your friends and your neighbours about climate change.
- Use conversations about climate change as an opportunity to listen and expand on your knowledge.
- Talking about climate change can be challenging. While most people know that it’s happening and will affect us, the topic can be uncomfortable. It’s important to have these difficult discussions so we can normalize conversations about climate.
- Talk to young people in your life to see what they think about the topic.
4. Take action
- Remember that everything has to start somewhere. No matter the size or scale of your sustainable choices, every action has an impact.
- Join a group – combatting climate change cannot be accomplished alone. There are many community groups that address climate issues. Being a part of a team can give you the support you need to stay motivated and inspired. Teams also provide greater opportunities for increased awareness and education.
- Figure out what you you have to give. Do you have a bit of extra time or money? Consider volunteering or donating.
- Take a look at your individual and household action and see where you can make adjustments.
- Go on a Pick-Up Walk and take it as an opportunity to think and talk about climate change.