This month’s suggested climate actions are perfect for the cold winter days and evenings this month. These 4-tiered featured actions are brought to you by the Climate Action Group of the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence.
Personal: Get out in nature! Yes, even in the cold and snow! Especially in the snow! Breathe in the cold air and feel how exhilarating it is. Notice how the snow sparkles with colored glints of light. Look for animal tracks that clue you in to another way of existing on this planet. Experience the peaceful silence of a gray day.
Community: Join the Valley Time Trade. VTT is an organized exchange system through which members earn hours (time credits) for time spent helping other members. One hour of service earns one hour of someone else’s time, no matter what the service. It’s a wonderful way build community with people in the valley, and be able to exchange useful services with each other. To join, go to https://valleytimetrade.wordpress.com/
State/National/Global: Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper expressing your opinion about a climate-related issue. If you want to get the attention of your senator or representative, mention them by name in your letter, and that letter will be very likely to make it to their desk, as well as informing the public about your views.
Inform yourself: Watch the 9-part documentary series on climate change Years of Living Dangerously, aired on Showtime TV in 2014, and now available on DVD. As described in Wikipedia: “The weekly episodes feature celebrity investigators, who each have a history of environmental activism, and well-known journalists, each of whom have a background in environmental reportage. These ‘correspondents’ travel to areas around the world and throughout the U.S. affected by global warming to interview experts and ordinary people affected by, and seeking solutions to, the impacts of climate change.” It has received excellent reviews on Amazon and is available to purchase there for $38. After you’ve viewed the series, donate it to your local library. CW-MARS has only 1 copy in its system!
