Someone told me they stopped thinking about the problems of the world because nothing could be done about it. This statement really haunted me. I understood the sentiment. Life right now can feel hopeless. On one hand, there are people fighting to keep our constitutional rights intact and on the other, are people who are unaware of what’s going on. But I am a hopeful person and believe that while we might not be able to fix everything in the world, living my life in a way that is aligned with my values whether or not will change things on a grand scale is important to me.
Besides, I know there is power in numbers and we are way more powerful than we think.
I recently attended a climate meeting in my state.
Here’s what I learned.
People are angry. They are frustrated with the system that is supposed to provide for them. They are angry at the wealthy who take, but do not give back. They are understandably concerned about the future for their children (this includes me).
What can we when the systems that are supposed to protect us falls apart where people in power are not subjected to the same consequences that we teach our children?
We can do what we can.
Listen to wise people like this person.
Contact your local government officials and learn what they are doing and not doing to serve you and your community.
Join meetings in your neighborhood.
I recently attended the Climate Action meeting in a nearby community and learned a few things the City and County is doing to help the community.
This is what was listed in their Climate Action Plan for 2020-2015:
- 45% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 from the greatest sources of carbon emissions such as electricity, transportation and waste.
- Transportation: create more affordable housing near transit to reduce the need to drive. Make city vehicles electric. Plant more trees. Increase pedestrian accessibility.
- Electricity: Reduce building energy use, make solar more accessible for residents, retrofit City facilities to make them more energy efficient and regulate renewable energy installations.
- Waste: Reduce single-use plastics, retrofit existing water fountains to water bottle refill stations, move waste into composting and more.
- Here’s a shocking fact. Oahu’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions are more than twice the global average.
- There are commission meetings you can watch live on Youtube.
Yes there is still a lot of work to do and we have an overwhelming challenge ahead of us. Even if we don’t get to where we want to be, we can still do something. And that be enough to create a future for our keiki. That to me is everything.
Leave a Reply