Climate Action Chat

I am often asked how a person can get involved and do service work related to the climate crisis. One initiative I suggest is the "Climmate Reality Leadership Corps." The Leadarship Corps Program has trained thousands of people around thew world to be "Climate Reality Leaders" - educators about the climate crisis and advocates for constructive climate action. The Training is free, and the next training takes place in April. Some trainings are on site (I did the training a few years ago in Australia) but the April training is on-line. This virtual event does not require travel, and there is no registration fee. A number of OSU students have participated in the training and have become Climate Realty Leaders. To participate you need to apply - and the application deadline is in early March. For details: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/training

I am an advocate of systems thinking to understand and work through complex situations. An important systems thinking concept is the "unintended consequence." Does an action within a system risk consequences that are not intended or desirable? For example, what are the desired outcomes and possible risks or negative results of expanding renewable energy technologies like wind and solar? This article focuses on electric cars and alternative transportation. Share your views. https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2023/02/should-your-next-car-be-electric-or-no-car-at-all/

The climate change situation is arguably the most complex global phenomenon in human history. This article, from Inside Climate News , employs a systems thinking concept (feedback loop) to explain a possible consequence of climate change. Share your views on this article. https://apple.news/Avr_roY_4SQmZJDcWIMfMBQ

British Petroleum (BP), Shell, Exxon-Mobil...the major oil companies are reporting significant - and in some cases - record profits. They are doing so at a time when fuel prices are high. How does this relate to the climate crisis? Here is an article about BP and a story from PBS. BP dials back climate pledge amid soaring oil profits The British oil giant wants to decrease its carbon emissions by between 20 and 30 percent by 2030. It previously aimed for a 35 to 40 percent reduction. Read in The Washington Post: https://apple.news/ASsFTos_hQoi8YOGiP3-aRg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KagUHb6qxyQ

 This is an interesting article that addresses the need for an energy transmission system that can support the development of new energy systems. Bill Gates Says High-Voltage Power Lines Will Save America. He's Right. But good luck getting the whole country on board. Read in Popular Mechanics:  https://apple.news/A_ yi85ikGS5qAxOebouH6iQ