July 3, 2023, was the hottest day for Planet Earth in about 125,000 years—until July 4, when the average global air temperature climbed even higher.

Global climate change is unfolding just as scientists have predicted. All around the world, extreme heat, drought, fires, and floods are devastating communities. We know that these calamities will become more and more severe and widespread—and happen more and more often—if we continue on our current path. If we don’t change our ways, humanity’s future looks grim indeed.

We Have the Solutions

We know what we need to do, but we’re not doing it. Short-sighted people who are benefiting from the status quo—oil company executives, for example—have distracted us with false solutions like carbon-capture technology while greenhouse-gas emissions continue to rise. They’ve controlled the public discourse and obscured the plain truth about the climate crisis: we must rapidly and radically reduce the amount of oil and gas we’re burning.

This is totally doable. We can accelerate the transition from coal, oil, and fossil gas to renewable energy sources like solar and wind. We can make our homes and offices all-electric. We can make public transport fast, cheap, and easy to use. And by doing these things, we can create good jobs and bring in a more equitable future.

Only One Way Forward: We Must Insist Our Governments Act

But we as individuals can’t make any of this happen on our own. There’s only one way forward—our governments must enact new laws and policies that put us on the right track. And that’s not going to happen unless we, the people, insist on it.

For the sake of all our futures, many more of us must advocate now for sane climate policies; Reducing our personal carbon footprints is important, but it’s not enough. We need to join with friends, family, and neighbors to make sure our city council members and state lawmakers do the right thing despite pressure from oil interests.

Climate advocacy takes time and energy. But when our house is on fire, we do whatever it takes to quell the flames. Let’s work together today so our children can have a livable home tomorrow.

To find out how you can advocate for steep, rapid reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions,
please email us at info@350contracostaaction.org.