Good news about climate is coming from all over the place lately. We are making progress! A cultural shift is taking place, as many more people and organizations take action, both nationally and locally. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), our new energy economy is happening faster than we think, thanks to rapid progress of clean energy technologies. What does this mean for you? Benefits include better health, new jobs, lower electric bills, improved air and water quality, less pollution.
National progress
Clean energy is now more available through the Inflation Reduction Act. Clean energy is popular because it provides cleaner air and water, energy security, lower electricity costs, and job creation.
American Climate Corps, launched on September 22, 2023, will help our country deal with our current challenges of climate change impacts and unequal access to training, higher education, and high-quality jobs. American Climate Corps will create skilled, certified workers for jobs in both public and private sector.
AmeriCorps and the US Forest Service are partnering to establish an AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps, scheduled to begin in 2024. AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps will work to conserve national forests and grasslands, decrease wildfires in high-risk regions, and support reforestation efforts and wildfire crisis response.
Local progress
In our own community, Delaware County Sustainability Commission recently created a comprehensive sustainability plan designed to address climate crisis and improve our quality of life.
Even more locally, Media Borough is a hotbed of environmental activity working to protect and preserve biodiversity. Media Borough is a Xerces Society certified Bee City, an Arbor Day Foundation Tree Town, and is working on becoming an Audubon Society Bird Town. Borough’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) collaborated with Transition Town Greater Media’s (TTGM) Biodiversity Group member Linda Coulston to create a native plant pollinator garden at the Community Center. EAC is now working with TTGM’s Biodiversity Group to reduce pesticide use that kills all the pollinators attracted to native plants.
Another very successful project in the Borough is Green Wagon Project, headed by Julie Smith. Five green wagons can be found at various locations throughout the Borough. The wagons are loaded with information and free native plants contributed by residents for residents.
TTGM has been active in many community environmental issues since 2009. TTGM’s Biodiversity Group formed in 2022 to increase, protect and restore biodiversity through their many projects. The group is currently expanding efforts to educate our community about the harm mosquito spraying causes to pollinators, birds and our health. The group promotes safer ways to protect against mosquito bites.
It only takes 10-25% committed minority to tip the majority.
Who is in the critical minority? Energy producers, teachers, educators, medical doctors, local governments, citizen groups, financial investors, peer groups, volunteers, and people like you. Will you join us?