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“This Changes Everything”
In early November I attended a screening of the documentary film, This Changes Everything, based on the book of the same title by Naomi Klein. She makes the case, so succinctly, dramatically, and clearly that the way our economy runs, promoting profits above all else, increases environmental pollution and the amount of CO2 put into the air, which exacerbate global temperature rise.
Most U.S. manufacturing jobs have been shipped overseas where labor costs are less and environmental controls are lax. This exacerbates climate change as well as taking jobs away from Americans. These actions have hastened the slide of so many out of the middle class, making our economy more fragile, rather than robust. Our economy depends on a vibrant middle class to purchase products and services that drive our economy.
This film is so worth seeing and discussing. In fact, take your family and friends to see it with you, and then have a heartfelt discussion of the issues and solutions. Check here for screenings in your area. If it’s not in your area, it’s available through iTunes. Rental is $4.99; to buy it is $9.99.
 “To change everything we need everyone”!
More US citizens are waking up each day to the urgency of our climate situation and to the power that we have when we act collectively! There have been recent major victories:
  • Exxon has been exposed for deliberately covering up the consequences of burning fossil fuels. They did the research and then funded climate denier groups. New York State is investigating bringing a lawsuit.
  • A Texas utility has so much wind power that it is giving it away (yes, for free!) from 9 pm until 6 am!
  • President Obama rejected the Keystone XL Pipeline.
  • The growth of renewables, especially wind and solar, has exceeded expectations.
  • The price of solar has decreased 80% in the past 10 yrs.
  • Organic food is the fastest growing segment of our food supply. People want food without pesticides! Eating both local & organic decreases our carbon footprint even more!
  • The youth climate movement is gaining steam with a powerful message: “we want an earth worth inheriting”!A 13-year old girl is suing North Carolina for not protecting her generation from climate change.
  • There are thousands of youth groups all around the world. Their power and passion keep growing.
Time to get involved in solutions!
COLLECTIVELY:
  • Join a climate organization and donate your time or money. Numerous options are at the end of this email.
  • Show up for local climate marches happening now through the December Climate Talks in Paris.
  • Educate yourself: Talk it up with family and friends. Talk about the risks of climate change for the price of food, economic stability, and the destruction of our habitat, our Earth, that supports life as we know it.
INDIVIDUALLY:
  • Earth Overreach Day was August 13 this year. That’s the day that we used up all the planet’s sustainable resources for this entire year; we’re now into “resource debt”.
    • The U.S. has 4% of the population but uses 25% of the world’s resources.
    • Continue to do what you can to reduce your carbon footprint; see below.
  • Here’s one issue I haven’t talked about yet: conscious shopping! Ask questions! Find out where the products were made, and whether it was in a sweatshop. Green America.org has great & empowering info to make more conscious choices.
    • It’s tempting to buy the cheapest product, but it feels so much better to make a conscious choice to use our money in service of our values.
    • Note Target received a D+ and Wal-Mart an F on responsibly produced products.
  • Consider buying holiday gifts through a company like Heifer, Inc. Giving a goat, cow, chicks, or clean water to a family in a developing country is a gift that empowers them to change their lives, and is a meaningful gift to give in honor of someone important in your life. This kind of empowerment is the key to ending hunger and poverty. It’s exciting to put our money where our values are, knowing we can make a difference!
Remember we are all in this together!
We are all One Human Family! 
“This is not just about telling people to change their light bulbs or buy a hybrid car.
This disaster has gone beyond choices individuals can make.
It’s now about industries and our governments
around the world taking large scale, decisive action.”
– Leonardo DiCaprio

Sending blessings for our collective future,

Betsey

 
Notes:
Google “climate change organizations” to find a climate organization that speaks to you. Or go here for more information. Choose one group to join and keep up to date with the latest happenings.