Diane Was My Inspiration
Thanks for this question, Diane [see the article “Starting to Work on the Climate Emergency,” by Diane Shisk, on page 15 of Present Time No. 207]. You were my inspiration. I had been involved with environmental groups as a supporter and occasional participant, but when you put out the call for people to prioritize addressing the climate crisis, that really made sense to me.
I got on the RC care-of-the-environment e-mail discussion list. Then I took an online RC course on climate change and shared what I’d learned with my Area.
Then I joined my town’s energy committee. Every town in Vermont (USA) has been invited to have an energy committee to work locally on lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Our committee has grown from having a limited focus to acting on energy conservation, transportation, and land use. I’ve gotten to know many folks in town government I never would have met otherwise, and from our different starting points, we’re working for the same goal. Our town’s governing body just voted unanimously to adopt the energy plan our committee wrote. It’s exciting!
East St. Johnsbury, Vermont, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 207, April 2022)