When I first became concerned about global warming and wanted to do something about it, I was motivated by fear and a sense of dread, of a helpless resignation to the global disaster that was fast approaching. The literature I read on the subject was grim, the outlook not very hopeful. The focus was on the continual warming of the atmosphere at an ever-increasing rate, of the rapid melting of the polar ice caps, of the warming and acidifying of the oceans and the dying of the coral reefs, of the decimation of the rainforests as they were being turned into cattle ranches and palm oil plantations. The reality of an uninhabitable earth was very palpable.

 

For sure, all these dreadful things are still happening and the future still looks grim, but since those early days I have discovered there is hope, much hope, realistic hope. I have learned about all the positive actions now being undertaken all over the world to slowdown, and even reverse, these processes of destruction. I have learned that we have the capability and the capacity to live in an environmentally-friendly and economically viable way, by using renewable sources of clean energy and adopting healthier habits of food preparation and waste management.

 

For sure, the problem is still global warming that brings on climate change, but at the same time it isn't the problem. Instead, the problem can be characterized as the lack of political will, and this problem is exacerbated by the enormous financial efforts made by the fossil fuel industries, in particular, to convince us that the problem does not exist.  

 

We, the Marin Interfaith Climate Action, have joined with other climate groups to fight back by educating our own communities about the science and the existing solutions, and by building advocacy for political action. From our diverse spiritual traditions, we bring a moral imperative that calls us to be agents for climate justice.

 

Won't you join us? Contact me at pcarlone@hotmail.com . Let's talk about what concerns you about climate change and what we can do about it.

by  Pat Carlone