I decided in January it was time to focus my activist energies on the imminent threat of climate change. Why? Because...if we have no habitable planet, what else is there? I looked at a number of climate organizations and found Elders Climate Action, and here I am!
What better time than spring to plant the seeds of something new? So start with joining an action on Earth Day, April 22. Then help with the Elders Promote the Vote effort and use your vote to support those who understand that we are running out of time. Check out other action-oriented ideas below.
We, as elders, have the responsibility to step up and speak out. Now. While there is still time.
Let's start spring with the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of our years.
Namaste,
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Ellen,
ECA Communications Committee Member
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We're commemorating 50 years of Earth Day with our new, limited edition, ECA Action T-shirt!
Stand out from the crowd with your ECA Action T-shirt in preparation for your local Earth Day events.
ECA members across the country will join the youth in action, April 22-24. This three day event will not only celebrate 50 years of Earth Day, it will mobilize millions of people across the globe in climate action.
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The Midwest is bursting with lots of climate action!
The University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor was a launching pad for the first Earth Day in 1970 and ECA members are now an integral part of the planning team for the 50th Earth Day this spring. The local Ann Arbor Area ECA chapter created a waste-composting program. and helped create a collaborative working group of governmental
agencies
, non-profit organizations and faith-based congregations toward the goal of zero waste in their facilities.
The chapter collaborates with other groups in the Climate Action Partnership advocating on local
policy direction. The Ann Arbor Area Chapter shows that with perseverance
and collaboration, a small chapter can have a big impact.
annarbor@eldersclimateaction.org
One of the newest ECA chapters is in NorthEast Ohio where many years ago,
the Cuyahoga River burned. This fledgling chapter has already recruited ten members and is hard at work expanding before holding their first meeting. If you live in that region and would like to join them
click here
or connect by email
neohio@eldersclimateaction.org
Rounding out our Midwest presence is the Heartland Chapter which has grown to more than 25 members in three short months. Carlie and Jeff have been busy preparing for three Climate Education Presentations for Heartland audiences, and communicating about
climate-related issues with federal, state, and local legislators as well as candidates for office. In the state legislature's 2020 session, they have been pushing to facilitate the retirement of old coal power plants. They hope to recruit more members throughout Indiana and will be tabling at two Earth Day events, to let Indiana elders know about ECA. Legislators
and activists from other groups have attended their engaging monthly meetings. If you live in Indiana, you may feel the excitement in the air as this chapter takes off! To connect with the Heartland chapter, email
heartland@eldersclimateaction.org
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Florence, Oregon Elders Start a Climate Emergency Campaign
The Florence Climate Emergency Campaign was formed in September 2019 to raise awareness of the climate emergency and
generate a resolution by the Florence City Council to address the climate crisis.A second purpose is to promote a climate curriculum in the Siuslaw public schools.
Email posts and a group Facebook page are available to share and respond to articles that highlight the climate crisis. Conversations and comments that help the campaign organize and act to realize its goals are encouraged. The campaign has partnered with
local and national climate organizations including ECA.
In addition, Climate Strikes are conducted every Friday at City Hall on the Coastal Hwy 101 from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. For more information contact - Michael Allen, Florence Climate Emergency Campaign, Founder and Coordinator,
mikepatallen@earthlink.net
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Last week ECA received an email from the mother of a youngster named Lucy. Lucy was given an assignment in school to write a paper and make a project along the lines of sustainability and recycling. Lucy decided to make a recycling guide. She and her mother found the
With Your Grandchildren
section of the Elders Climate Action website! Here's an excerpt from their message:
"
After a little while of skimming and searching, we landed on your With Your Grandchildren climate resources page and Lucy wanted to say thank you for all the information! It was a perfect start for us! We took all the notes we could, bookmarked it, and started back up. Eventually we found our way to another page that speaks in-depth on how to recycle almost everything in your home including junk mail, household toxics, food, yard waste, single-use items and a ton more. Lucy wanted to know if you would like to check it out? The page is
https://www.bottlestore.com/whatandhowtorecycle
and Lucy said it'll make a perfect addition to your webpage, if you wanted to include it? Between both pages, Lucy was able to finish her project and we both learned so much! We realised that we were only recycling half of what we really could be, and we hope we can spread this information to others! Thank you again for help, we couldn't be more thankful, especially knowing that we are a part of helping a bigger picture!" We've added Lucy's suggested page to our website. Thanks, Lucy!
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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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Were you an Earth Day Organizer or participant in 1970? Send us your story and any pictures you may have from the first Earth Day. We will share a selection in next month's newsletter.
info@eldersclimateaction.org
ECA will Join Earth Day Actions - April 22 - 24
As the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day approaches we are busy making plans! We are actively working with the Future Coalition to support the youth's plan for three days of action, April 22 - 24. ECA will also provide daily action alerts for a
Week of Climate Action (April 22 -28) and ECA Chapters are working to plan and support events in their local area.
We encourage all of our members to get involved in Earth Day events in your area.
Stay tuned for more information.
The Youth Plan for 3 Days of Action (from the Future Coalition)
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Vote — Get out the Vote
The biggest action we can take is to vote consistently in every (federal, state, local, municipal) election for candidates who are committed to taking action on climate change. Help get out the vote by assisting voter registration efforts and encouraging others to become consistent voters.
Check out
Elders Promote the Vote
to learn how you can help mobilize voters from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
We have the opportunity to support the youth, who are unable to vote, with our vote!
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Don't forget to check your voter registration!
Explore other personal action tips you can take to reduce your carbon footprint
on the ECA website
Download a checklist of tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint,
click here.
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Join the Elders Promote the Vote Project
We've been texting more than 10,000 texts per day! Join us and help us reach millions.
Elders Climate Action is committed to increasing the power of pro-climate, pro-environment voters in the 2020 election and all future elections. That is why ECA has formed
Elders Promote the Vote,
a partnership with the Environmental Voter Project - to contact millions of these pro-environment voters with a clear get-out-the-vote message.
Join us and get started
-- (anonymously)
text voters from home!
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Elders Climate Action and DearTomorrrow have partnered together to collect your climate stories for the Letters to Loved Ones in 2050 project. This is an opportunity to take a moment and write a letter to your loved one, grandchildren or great grandchildren and let them know what you did when you realized the significance of climate change.
Your letter will be archived and shared with current and future generations.
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Dear Evan
,
What has most inspired me to act is wanting to be able to look you in the eye and say, “When I became aware of the existential threat of climate change, I did all I could.” Despite my pessimism, I act in the hope it can make a difference for future generations and all the precious life on our fragile planet.
(Excerpt from Grady's Letter)
_______________________
Dear Lucca and Sonia,
..
.I realized that I wanted to be able to tell you that I had done everything I could to leave you that just, sustainable world.
(Excerpt from Margo's letter)
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ECA National Call
4th Tuesday of Each Month
March 24
7:00 PM (ET) | 4:00 PM (PT)
Dr. Lise Van Susteren
Dr Susteren s practicing general and forensic psychiatrist in Washington, DC, is an expert on the physical and mental health effects of climate change.
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Join Us for Climate Tea & Talk
Join us for monthly casual talk with other Elders about the climate issues, solutions and strategies that matter most to you.
Second Tuesday of Each Month
6:00 PM (ET) | 3:00 PM (PT)
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Join Us for an ECA 101 for New Members Call
Join our monthly call to learn more about the mission, vision and action opportunities at Elders Climate Action.
Fourth Wednesday of Each Month
5:00 PM (ET) | 2:00 PM (PT)
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