Dear Climate Friend,
2018 has slipped away and as we reflect on the past year ECA is looking to 2019 as the year elders take greater action on climate change. The news has been mixed. We have more climate supporters in state and federal offices but we also know the timeline for reducing greenhouse gases is shorter. What does that mean for ECA? We will amplify the voice and actions of elders through deep collaborations with other organizations; speak with clarity on the policies we support; engage more elders into teams and chapters; and have a strong elder voice at the state level. We elders must support actions by young people with our wisdom, patience and energy.
Our challenge to all elders for 2019 is for you to step up and take action on climate change in any way you can. You may say “I don’t know what I can do”. ECA is here to support you with suggestions of actions you can take, resources you can use, letters you can write and ways you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Let everyone know you care about climate change and you want solutions.
Wishing you and your families a healthy and peaceful new year.
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For the our grandchildren, future generations and all life,
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Geri Freedman
ECA Co-Chair
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Thank you to all those who gave to ECA in 2018.
We are grateful to everyone who has stepped forward for climate action.
We are especially grateful to the elders who are working hard to protect their children's and grandchildren's future.
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It's never too late to give to ECA!
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Consider a monthly gift to support ECA throughout the year ahead.
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If you missed the video
You Are Stealing Our Future: Greta Thunberg, 15, Condemns the World's Inaction on Climate Change on
Democracy Now! please watch.
On December 12, 2018, fifteen-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg addressed the U.N. plenary in Katowice, Poland, condemning global inaction in the face of catastrophic climate change. Her wisdom and courage are inspirational, and a reminder of Elders Climate Action's critical role in building a mobilization of elders taking action on climate change.
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Highlights from Elders Working to Protect the Future
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Jean Chandler, ECA Member
"As a snow bird living in Florida in winter and Massachusetts the rest of the year, I have been active in earth justice efforts in both places. Through the Environmental Voter Project, I reminded thousands to vote. After leading Bible studies and retreats with a view of creation as deserving of care rather than exploitation, I started a Green Team at my church in 2015 and one in January 2018 at the life-care community where I live. Both Green Teams have sponsored informational campaigns about recycling, including electronic recycling pickups and visits to the recycling facility and state-of-the-art waste to energy plant in Florida. In both places we have shown the dvd “Food Choices: How our Diet Impacts the World,” sponsored plant-based potlucks and a support group for those trying to make dietary changes This coming year we want to focus on toxic chemicals, plastic pollution and food waste."
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Tell us what you have been doing for climate action. Send a 150 word (max) summary of what you've been doing and we'll share it in a future newsletter. Send to
info@eldersclimateaction.org
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We're Setting Our Intentions for 2019!
Here are some of the intentions you set and shared on our December National Call.
Thank you for all you are doing to make a difference for current and future generations.
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"Connect with elders in my community to help them take action on climate change"
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Do my best, and let the result go"
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"Take action to implement carbon pricing in my state"
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"TACO - Talk About Climate Often!"
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"I will arrange a program on climate change for a group"
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"I intend to limit my consumption of meat."
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"I intend to remain hopeful and believe my actions will make a difference."
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"Work on developing local chapters of ECA and Climate Reality"
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"Work with Citizens Climate Lobby on Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act"
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"Educate the young generation - make teachers responsible - and parents, too"
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"Not to eat any meat since it is the greatest cause of climate change / warming."
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"Help my partner move from a gas furnace that heats her home to an electric heat pump system that uses existing heat in the air."
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"I will move forward in 2019 in a consciousness of Love, compassion and joy, serving the future of all humanity."
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"I am joining a ECA chapter in Florida. I am focusing on awareness about the excessive reliance on plastic."
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"Get more involved with ECA actions, campaigns and efforts"
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Climate Change is the
Talk of the Globe
Over the last three months there seems to have been an explosion of climate change reports, proposals, and meetings and a blizzard of acronyms like IPCC, NCA4, EICDA, and COP24.
It’s great that climate change is getting more attention, but keeping up with it can seem overwhelming. Here’s a list you can use on a cold winter day to help you catch up. Make a cup of tea, find a cozy place to read, and dip into one of these.
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Did You Hear?
Washington, D.C. just passed a new clean energy law. The bill requires that all electricity in the district be generated by renewable sources by 2032!
We hope to see and will support more local and state action in 2019.
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Join our First National Call of the New Year!
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
7:00 PM (ET) | 4:00 PM (PT)
We will be joined by Daniel Richter & Jamie DeMarco from
Citizens' Climate Lobby.
Daniel Richter, Vice President of Legislation and Research, and
Jamie DeMarco, State-Level Carbon Pricing Coordinator
will give us an update of the local and national work of Citizens' Climate Lobby and the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, bi-partisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
If you are unable to attend the National Call, RSVP and we'll send you the recording.
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Help Share the ECA National Call with
Elder Communities in your Area!
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Download the flyer to reach out to Retirement Communities in your area today!
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Each month Elders Climate Action hosts a guest speaker on our National Call to help inspire, inform and engage elders in unifying our voice toward legislative actions that will protect our grandchildren, future generations and all life. Help us reach out within your community and invite others to join the next Elders Climate Action Monthly National Call. We've created a flyer to help you reach retirement communities in your area. Print one and drop it by, or email it to elder communities in your area!
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Join Us for
ECA 101 for Chapter Leaders
-- for current and prospective ECA chapter Leaders. 2 sessions -
Wednesday January 16, 7 PM (ET) or Friday January 25, 3 PM (ET).
RSVP HERE
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Send a Letter to Incoming and Returning Members of Congress.
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We've created a new letter to Members of Congress for 2019, urging their immediate action on climate change. All you need to do is add your contact info, personalize the message, if you wish, and hit send. It's that easy!
Check out our selection of letter templates to contact Federal and State elected
representatives, businesses and corporations, and your local media.
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Join Us for Climate Tea & Talk
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Join us for monthly casual climate conversations and talk with other elders about the climate issues that matter most to you.
Second Tuesday of Each Month
6:00 PM (ET) | 3:00 PM (PT)
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