Sunday
May 5, 2024 
Climate change impacts everything you care about, whether it’s the health and welfare of your family, the rising costs of food and energy, the strength of our economy, the birds in your backyard, or the plight of endangered species.
That is the message Katharine Hayhoe shares in her book “Saving Us, a Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World.”
If you, like most of us, are someone who cares deeply and wants the planet to be a safe and sustainable home for life on earth, Katharine’s book will give you both facts and hope. As both a devout Christian and distinguished climatologist Katharine has unique insights to share that will help us confront this often divisive and frightening topic.
According to Katharine, facts are not enough. Facts matter but they also produce unhelpful feelings of anger, denial, and guilt. Climate change is like a threat multiplier that affects our food security, ongoing humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and the economy. Katharine does not want her message to be one of fear but of possibilities. She is truly grateful for fossil fuels but knows that it is time to transition to cleaner energy.
Her main message is that, yes, climate change has negative impacts on our way of life but we have the power to do something about it. Fossil fuels are now heavily subsidized, but 43 countries have put a price on carbon and it has helped them to reduce their carbon footprints. Clean energy is growing and it is possible to move to a world of net-zero electricity. We all have a part to play in finding solutions for this seemingly overwhelming global problem.
More than 50% of adult Americans are alarmed or concerned about climate change and the same percentage feel helpless when they think about it. But we are not helpless and we can do much, in both big and small ways. Katharine says the most important thing we can do is talk about climate change with our families, friends, and neighbors. Talk about how it is affecting the weather in our communities, the wildlife we observe, and real-life practical and viable solutions.
Read Katharine’s book, check out some of her inspiring U-Tube videos, or visit citizensclimatelobby.org to learn more. Here are some of my thoughts. Even small steps can have an impact. The solar panels on our roof produce clean energy. Our plug in Prius saves us money on gas. Our garden gifts us with fresh organic produce in summer and frozen food in winter. Native trees and wildflowers provide food and shelter for birds of all sizes, from pileated woodpeckers to hummingbirds.
You do not have to purchase solar panels or an electric car to make a difference. You can think about your energy use and reduce your carbon footprint in many different ways, such as increasing the insulation of your house, purchasing wind energy, or driving less. You can become an advocate for laws and initiatives that increase energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
Whatever you do, you will know that as a human on our planet, you are not helpless but contributing to a cleaner, greener, and safer world for our children.
Debra Orben lives in Springtown.
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