On this Good Friday, we wish our community well and continue to hope for the best in these uncertain times. While your Easter/Passover plans might have changed, may you still find ways to connect with loved ones and keep your spirits lifted. The EcoRight news is light this week, but we found some tidbits worth your time.
This week’s must read: Climate’s on back burner, but advocates see COVID-19 parallels (Roll Call) “This is a challenge that came up on us, but we do have the ongoing challenge with climate change,” Heather Reams, executive director of our allies, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, said in the article. “You think you’re prepared, and you put your preparation to the test and you realize you’re ill-prepared.” The article notes that: “as Congress struggled to find consensus on how to rescue the country, lawmakers debated along the usual partisan lines. Democrats said Republicans were prioritizing big corporations over suffering workers, while the GOP said Democrats were trying to protect tax credits for wind and solar energy and force airlines to cut their emissions.”
“Decision-making in a crisis is never great decision-making,” Reams said. “When cooler heads prevail what do we want to do to prepare?”
Spotlight on County Youth Chairs: In March, we had two exciting CYC events scheduled, but sadly, both were canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis. Lance Lawson of Pinellas County, FL arranged for Bob Inglis to visit his school, Bayshore Christian School, and give a special talk to all students in grades 7-12. Joey Jung of Leon County, FL was one of the lead organizers of the first-ever Tallahassee Student Climate Summit, an event for students all over the Tallahassee area to have a dialogue about climate change. Joey and the other organizers spent months planning the event, which was confirmed to take place at Florida State University.
Despite this disappointment, Joey and Lance gained a lot of valuable leadership experience during the planning process.
In Joey’s words: “This was one of my first experiences planning for an event of any size… While its cancelling has been difficult after all the work and time invested, I was exposed to many people in our community (including political leaders, scientists, researchers, and activists) who all share a passion to move the needle in combating climate change.”
In Lance’s words: “The experience, overall, has taught me a lot about the intricacies of organizing and the importance of maintaining communication. It was disappointing that I never got to see Mr. Inglis speak at the chapel… but as I move into college where there’s an even wider audience, I don’t plan on giving up just yet!”
Do you miss the EcoRight? Here are a few ways you can help grow our network and stay active during this period of confinement.
- The more the merrier! Recruit friends/family to join republicEn.
- Our actions help us better serve our community! Complete republicEn email actions.
- Listen, we know social media can be a disaster, but improve the quality of the content by post about climate change on your preferred outlets. Use hashtag #EcoRight and tag us @republicen.
- Watch a climate film. (Our favorite is Merchants of Doubt.)
- Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed. (I can help!)
- Do you know a member of the EcoRight who should be on our radar? Conduct an EcoRight Speaks interview via email or video.
Cheetah cubs: I don’t know who needs it, but I have found great joy and entertainment in the Smithsonian Cheetah Cub Cam the last 48 hours. You’re welcome.
Be well, friends.