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Climate Connections
Devin T
I am not your typical environmentalist. I do not spend all of my time outdoors, climbing trees, and running through fields. While I may not always show the greatest amount of interest in the outdoors, I am, however, passionate about ensuring the environment will be healthy for generations to come. It is for this reason that I was first drawn into the climate campaign. To me, the climate crisis epitomizes the choices that we as a society have made since the industrial revolution to follow a path of environmental neglect. The crisis is multi-causal and presents a threat to our society in numerous fields, such as economic security, national security, and health.
I, just like many other individuals, constantly try to become more “sustainable†in the way that I live in my environment. While I believe that “sustainable†living is key for spreading environmental consciousness, I think it is crucial to remember that sustainability is a step on the path, not the final destination.
In order to combat the current climate crisis we need to begin to articulate an intelligent domestic plan of action. A plan that follows the IPCC carbon dioxide targets to the measure and places the responsibility for carbon credits under the jurisdiction of the EPA, the only US agency that can truly be trusted with ensuring that appropriate measures put into place. By creating a strong domestic policy, we can be assured that a strong global policy at Copenhagen will be a reality later this year.
This type of change cannot be entrusted on our leaders alone, we need to work in a coalition to make sure that top-down change is receiving large support from the populous. In order to facilitate these large changes, we need to step up the pressure on both the Obama Administration and Congress to make them understand that we need strong climate policy now.
Emma A
I am a-16-year old Chinese girl, Emma. I've always cared a lot about the climate, and our environment, and the beautiful Earth.
Well, it WAS beautiful before. I remember when I was young, there weren't so many tall buildings, modern cars, or visitations of providence. So there was less pollution, less noise, and less cry.
Instead, God gave us a nice world for everyone to build up. There were flowers everywhere, and animals as well as plants lived together with us. So were the land and the blue ocean. But nothing stays. So sad. So bad. We all see the situation now.
"why,why,does the tiger fun
why,why,do we shoot the gun
Why,why,do we never learn
Can someone tell us why we let the forest burn?
Why,why,do we say we care
Tell me why?
Why,why,do we stand and stare
Tell me why?
Why,why,do the dolphins cry
Can someone tell us why we let the ocean die?
Why,why,if we're all the same
Tell me why?
Why,why,do we pass and blame
Tell me why?
Why why does it never end
Can someone tell us why we cannot just be friends?
Why why do we close our eyes
Why why do the greedy life
Why why do we fight for land
Can someone tell us why 'cos we don't understand?
Why,why?"
This song has proved everything we need to care about and to help with!
Let's hope, let's work, let's get a move on!
Megan B
My name is Megan. I live in Austin, Texas. I'm an Environmental Scientist and all around me I see changes happening. We're suffering under a three year long drought. We've had record breaking high temperatures consistently all summer. Flora and fauna are disappearing. Even the cactus is starting to die off. I grew up playing in the creeks and other small lakes and streams around my hometown but now almost all of them are dry. Entire ecosystems are collapsing.Climate change is real, it is here, we have to act now.
Ji J
Hello,everybody, i am a Chinese girl and also a college student. I study in Yangzhou University, next term i will tide over the last year in my school because i will graduate soon.
Around us, the environment seems getting worse and worse. Global warming~In winter here is colder then ever, in summer, the temperature is become higher and higher. I will just say something about the Climate in this summer holiday. First, because the Morakot typhoon. It was always always rain and the wind is ao strong~many trees were blown down, the small rivers were gone up water~at some nights, listened to the wind outside the window, it was terrible ~but with it's gone, it's so hot and the temperature is higher and higher~here we called it "Auturm Tiger".
yesterday, i went to a movie called "THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW", it tells the future climate. Maybe it was a little amazing, but i think it maybe happen if we go on destroying our nature and environment.
let's protect our mother earth now.
Leslie L
It's really basic. I'm concerned about climate change because it's scary. I'm wondering whether we will still have the comfortable life in the future that we now enjoy.
Kelly L
Hi, I'm Kelly Lyons and I'm a rising high school senior. Although I am too young to be involved in many of the things that Greenpeace has to offer, I am highly interested in this organization. I am an On- Call Activist for Greenpeace, and I hope to some day start a Greenpeace chapter for whatever college I attend and plan to do a summer GOT.
I helped create a recycling program at a local country club. I helped get the excitement started for it and figured out good locations o place the recycling bins and also what to do with all the stuff that had been placed in there.
I have been to Germany, Poland, Spain, France, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, so I have seen firsthand how far behind the US is in its duty to the earth and the climate. I believe that The US and China need to place better environmental laws in effect so that Chinese and American citizens can live as clean and healthy lives as the Europeans.
Tait R
I am a student at the University of California in Riverside studying Anthropology, and the world's climate crisis is the most important issue in my life, being the issue of all life on this planet, including humanity. My life I've tried to get as many people around me to see that too and I hope to make that my life's work and learn how to do just that effectively by working with Greenpeace and local groups.
If we don't go for it, all we can now, there is no telling if we will get where we need to be.
The world is unquestionably a different place and we need to realize that it is because of what humanity has done to increase its conveniences at the expense of our planet, our home.
We are running out of space, we cannot keep burying our trash. If people had to deal with their own trash maybe then they would realize just how huge a problem it is. We need to educate people that when you throw or flush it away, it doesn't go away.
Also, turning off lights and appliances isn't just to save you money; the electricity comes from burning non-renewable resources. It is foolish to think we can afford to find out what happens when we have none or not enough left before switching to solar, water, and wind (the elements of nature that run everything else in life). We need to take a page out of the very old book of life we have seemed to forget in our evolution.
Accomplishing this and keeping social peace and justice in mind is the goal of Greenpeace and I want to be a part of it.
Nick M
My name is Miao deyao, my english name is Nick. I come from Hangzhou, Zhejiang China. I am a college student, and i like soccer. The climate changed, and make the weather more and more hot. The summer in 2003, the weather in my hometown is very hot. Every household open air-condition to have a cool. But, the result of that is the power shortage. We have no power. I think to solve the climate change, every body have duty. We should plant more green plants, use less cars.
Yiyang L
My name is LIUYIYANG. I am born and raised in Tianjin which is a beautiful city in the North of China. I study in Tianjin university of technology and major in environmental science. When I finished high school, I had made up my mind to study in the field of environment due to the severe condition of China. I want to be part of the protectors to prevent our nation, our world from being destroyed. In recent years, the climate condition of my hometown has become better. When I was young, the sandstorm happened frequently in spring that bother all the citizens in Tianjin and neighborhood. Nevertheless, under the help from the government and, especially, the volunteers of environment protection and the whole citizens, our environment has become more and more comfortable. As a result, I would like to do my best to devote myself in protecting our whole world.
Grant H
well i know over the past few years the weather in Michigan has been getting odder and odder, a lot of people always say Michigan has weird but lately even me a person who lives and Michigan can see he changes. all the forests in Michigan are starting to be chopped down and built on. the sky is getting less clear. all of Michigan's supremely clear mass amounts of fresh water are being polluted by the output of waster by smog forming factorys.
Dan B
I started getting interested in the global warming crisis when I went to the Powershift Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2009. I didn't really know all that much about it when I got there, but I began to learn a lot. Then, I read Thomas Friedman's book "Hot, Flat, and Crowded" and realized that I needed to take action. So, I called up Greenpeace and started looking for ways that I could help on this issue.
Georgia A
Hey! I'm Georgia. I recently moved across the mid-west to live in Grensburg, Kansas, population approx. 900. In May of 2007, Greensburg was wiped off the map after it was completely destroyed by an EF5 tornado, one of the largest recorded to this day. With a chance to start from scratch, the city decided that rebuilding green was the way to go, and I work for a non-profit organization, Greensburg GreenTown, to help make the right choices about products and companies used in the rebuilding, helping make Greensburg a true model of sustainability. Greensburg also has a sister city in China, Han Wang, with the same concepts in mind after being destroyed by an earthquake last year.
I get such a senses of hope and passion from being a part of both this movement, and this generation and I couldn't imagine a better time to be alive. The planet is everyone's future so I believe that everyone should do their part to ensure that it will be there.
Xu J
nowdays shanghai's climate becomes worse and worse. I think we must take action to protect our earth. Recently, I'm thinking about how to save resources. All the things I can do is so small. I will persuade everyone around me to heal our earth, save resources. My english is poor,but I still want to express my determination.
Megan J
I have been very concerned with the environment ever since I can remember being able to understand how important our earth is. I love being outdoors and it breaks my heart to think that Earth, home to every single person, is being taken advantage of. I signed up for Green Peace on a whim, and I am so excited to be part of changing our future for the better!
Jennifer S
As one of the younger members of the global movement, I feel I am obliged to take part in the necessary movement toward a cleaner, healthier, and safer world. The way that I have made my step, with my carbon "footprint" being much lower than it was two years ago, is by participating in my high school's Environmental Action Club. The definite highlight of this club was being able to put on a little Earth Day demonstration with the help of an EPA volunteer about storm-water run off and acid rain. It was amazing to see how many people were coming to the booth and were genuinely interested in how they could make a difference in their daily lives! The EPA volunteer was an amazing addition to our crew; he gave us the knowledge we needed to teach others. The way he passed down his expertise to us is the same way we all can infect our neighbors, friends, family, and even the whole community with the passion and knowledge they need.
Apart from school, my own environmental endeavors start with me going vegetarian. It is incredible how one drastically changes one's carbon footprint by avoiding or completely dropping meat! I come from a north Indian family that eats a ton of meat. But for some reason or another, it wasn't too bad to make the adjustment. Almost a year strong! While the environment was not the number one reason for me changing the way I eat, it's a bonus that's hard to ignore. I've also gotten the chance to speak with my area's senator Tommy Tomlinson's secretary about the global issue along with animal abuse. When she told me how a bill was introduced into the Senate (in Harrisburg, PA) about the conditions in puppy mills only because of hundreds and hundreds of letters sent in by citizens, I was astonished. I had no idea our letters possessed such a great power! This is a power we all have the right to use to push the global warming issue much further.
I live just 20 minutes outside the great city of Philadelphia. Cities are where major change can start, or where progress can be stunted. I think that by surrounding Philadelphia with strong leading communities taking action against this crisis, it will move even farther ahead in the process than it already has. By starting small, such as taking actions to encourage Mayor Nutter and discussing issues with our state representatives, we build the ladder for the people of America to positively reach the President of the United States.
I think this program is such an amazing opportunity to connect with the rest of the world in such an accessible way. I can't wait to speak with someone who has similar interests that sprouted from a different environment than my own!
Evan E
Hi penpal!
My name is Evan Edwards, I'm a student in University here in the U.S. My major is philosophy and my minor is women's studies. Outside of the academic side of school, I am in the student group ASHE (meaning Active Students for a Healthy Environment) and I am the Executive of Sustainability on campus. The first group brings together environmentally conscious people and has organized trips to Powershift (a conference in the States), planted a couple community gardens, organized exotic invasive removal, etc. As Executive of Sustainability, I organize environmental events and initiate green projects on campus (like composting, green roofs, etc.). All in all, its a pretty sweet gig. The city I live in, Asheville, is great for fostering social and environmental consciousness. Its a very odd town in the lower Appalachians and has been called the "Paris of the South" because of its strange amount of culture and progressiveness. The last question Greenpeace suggested, "what you think should be done about climate change," seems a little strange to me, lets change our current course of environmental destruction as soon as possible! Anyways, I look forward to talking to you more in depth.
Sincerely,
Evan Edwards
Caylin M
My story is simple. I took AP Environmental Science in high school. I took it because it was known to be a blow-off class and an easy A. Turns out it was much, much more. Throughout the year I became a self acclaimed environmentalist. I was shocked by what we were learning. I knew change was necessary.
What really made it all click in my head was an article i read in class about cow farts, yes, cow farts. How cow farts produce more methane pollution than all of the worlds cars carbon dioxide emissions combined. That day, I stopped eating meat and decided that I could help be the change that I recognized was so needed.
Soon I became a vegan, an avid recyclist, a paper retriever frequenter, a trash picker througher, a litter snatcher, a loud mouthed activist, a compulsive unplugger, and a bike commuter among other things. And the best part was that I saw my good habits rubbing off on others.
I enrolled in the University of Vermont as an Environmental Studies major and live in an environmentally friendly dorm with other eco-conscious students. It is great to be surrounded by people that share your interests.
I believe that spreading the word is the most important and effective way to spread change. If people aren't aware of the problems, they won't be trying to fix them.
Maia D
Hello,
I became interested in environmental issues through my study of anthropology. As I read about the efforts of Native Americans to incorporate renewable energy solutions into efforts for stronger communities, I realized that a lot of our social justice problems will need to be solved hand in hand with our environmental problems.
I recently graduated from the University of Michigan, where I worked to educate the campus community about Canadian tar sands and their tremendous environmental and social impacts and to help organize people to fight against the expansion of this industry in their communities (tar sands manufacture affects communities across the US who will see the expansion of oil refineries and pipelines). I was also involved in getting groups from different social justice and environmental organizations to communicate and collaborate, as we all have so much in common. I dream of a movement of young people working together for each other's causes, because we see the interconnections.
Right now I am helping to organize the logistics for a US Midwest youth delegation to the Copenhagen climate negotiations, called Expedition Copenhagen. I am really excited to see what all our delegates come up with in our campaign for clean energy this fall and to support them in their goals.
Virginia F
The climate will not only impact my future, but my children's future as well. I'm a high school student, loving my high school years. It's hard to think about what is going to happen a year down the road, let alone ten to fifteen years--the years when I start a family, begin to settle down with my husband, and introduce a new human to the world. The down hill fall--or tumble--our world's climate is going through may prohibit my future plans. As a kid, I grew up in a fairly safe world (climate-wise). I can't even imagine what would happen if my children or grandchildren could not have the freedom to do the things I experienced as a child due to the climate problems of the world.
I care about our climate because I care about my future, my children's future, and my family's future.
Jacob H
I never knew much about the climate crisis until I moved away to college. There, I took an environmental studies class that has changed the course of my life. I learned a great deal in that class, but the most important thing I gained was an appreciation for the true severity of the environmental crisis, and a hunger to learn more. Since then, I have spent hundreds of hours studying online and have learned so much more about the direction humanity is heading--and to be frank, it scares the hell out of me. Because of what I now know, I can no longer accept the status-quo and the 'normal' American lifestyle. I can no longer say that I have true integrity while at the same time buying in to the worldwide corporatocracy's power scheme.
