Since the election, some of my college students are despairing about their futures. They know steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions must take place by 2030 to avoid acceleration of the cli-mate crisis. One said the election ‘made me think a lot about the uncertain future. I’ve been especially trying to make my impact on this planet a positive one, but there are times (like yesterday) where it’s hard to feel like there’s meaning to what we strive for; one step forward, ten steps back.’ Here is what I’ve been telling my students.
The Biden administration enacted policies to develop US industrial capacity for clean energy, in-crease adoption of agricultural practices that store CO2 in soil, and help communities become more cli-mate resilient. Many of these investments will probably survive because they pro-vide jobs in red states. And automakers are lobbying to preserve electric vehicle mandates that help them compete in a global car market.
More importantly, despite negligible federal climate legislation from 1990 to 2020, the nation made strides in developing green energy and reducing energy demand. That progress came from states and cities that said ‘we are still in’ the Paris Climate Agreement. They changed building codes to increase energy efficiency, required utilities to add renewable energy, installed EV chargers, built bike lanes, trained young people as solar installers and wind turbine technicians, and began moving people out of flood-prone areas. They are also providing support so disadvantaged com-munities get access to the new green jobs and infrastructure improvements.
This local action is where I will focus my energy for the next four years. There are great opportunities to engage with Kalamazoo’s Imagine 2035 planning process, development of the Kalamazoo County climate action plan, and the state’s Healthy Climate Plan.
Finally, one of the most important things for those of us working for better environmental/climate/justice conditions is to have a supportive community. That was true before the election and is even more necessary now. It’s long-term work, steps forward and back politically while also dealing with annual data reports that are sometimes positive and often terrifying. Having a community helps sustain us so we don’t burn out or melt down. These blessed companions share the burdens, laugh and cry with us, and tell us it’s okay to take a break while someone else steps up for a while. Most important, they remind us that to live in accord with our values is to live a good and meaningful life, even if we do not achieve all that we strive for in the world around us.