Page 24 - MagazineTemplate

expansion in our local communities.
New projects are proposed all over
North America, and they all face
ferocious fights from citizens. If
parents do nothing else, they can learn
about the fossil fuel fight in their own
regions, and take one small action to
put their shoulder to that good fight,
even if it’s just to send $25 to
grassroots groups fighting a pipeline or
export terminal or fracking project.
You mention “co-benefits” of
climate action for families. What
are some examples?

What’s good for our planet is also good
for human beings—especially the
smallest and most vulnerable ones.
Blocking a new fracking operation
helps the climate, but it also protects
our kids’ drinking water from hundreds to feel empowered. Over and over
of chemicals that fracking injects into again, I’ve seen that engaging in
groundwater. Cultivating awe in nature solutions is exciting and a relief to finally
makes children more likely to protect it, do something. Many youth are now
but it also makes them happier people. choosing to speak publicly for the first
Reducing materialism is good for the time in school assemblies, letters to the
planet and family budgets and closet- editor, or to elected officials. That can be
space, but it’s also good for our souls. a great learning experience, and it can
Planting trees captures carbon, but it
also be a thrill.
also gets kids out in fresh air and off of
screens. You write that families inhabit more
“climates” than just our
Any kind of active engagement in atmosphere. Can you elaborate?
solutions—from decorating bikes with
earth-friendly signs to marching against We each inhabit multiple climates, such
a pipeline or for climate literacy— as the climate of our individual body and
connects us to one another. Doing it its health—which is especially important
with children empowers them and it if we’re pregnant—and the climates of
energizes the conversation. It also our homes, relationships, schools,
makes it a lot more fun. neighborhoods, workplaces, and national

How does waging climate revolution politics and culture.
empower kids? We have a right to feel safe within each

Kids—especially older ones—know their of these climates—a right to
planet’s in trouble. When they’re offered harassment-free workplaces, good
age-appropriate ways to help, they tend health care, safe shelter, schooldays

Bliss Planet 24