My father was a clipper. He routinely read several newspapers, always connecting people in his life to what he read. My fellow Ripper and I could expect a pile of clippings next to our bed when we visited about things that he thought we would enjoy. Despite the trend to online news, I inherited his preference for print on paper and find myself tearing out articles to mail to others even when my fellow Ripper tells me that there is a much easier and faster way to share news.
In preparation for a long winter of recommended evenings at home, and the promise of a time ahead that will be ripe with opportunities for innovation, I decided to try and turn my pile of clippings on climate change into something constructive. Information abounds in the media about how humans are changing our planet, mostly for the worse, but also about what we can do about it.
What better time than this winter to learn more about how my community can pull science, education, politics and the economy together? Luckily, I live in a place that is sincerely trying to do just that, so there are many resources to call upon. The Summit County Climate Action Plan outlines how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts on climate change, as well as to plan for an economically vibrant, environmentally healthy, and socially responsible future.
Now, how to take action? My hero, Jane Goodall’s program, Roots and Shoots, inspires people to start by studying their own neighborhood and figuring out what is needed locally. What better place to start in a pandemic, when so many of us are limited to adventures close to home? I, for one, work better in collaboration, so I am inviting a small team of Senior Rippers to join me in this pursuit. My pile of clippings will guide us through the four classical elements, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and monthly meetings will take place outdoors or on Zoom.
Now I ask you Fellow Rippers, what’s your thing? Find a topic, dig in, and please, share. There is no time like the present.
Keep moving, stay safe, have fun.
I enjoyed the read. The environment and global warming are our existential threats. In 2015 it was important. Now it’s dire. Except we’ve got the Pandemic and economy in our front mirror and windshield. How is Summit County progressing with its Plan? I think 54 pages is too bulky for most of us – 2 pages max. My topic is on health, longevity and flattening the disparity of income without flattening the pie. I believe the path there is by programs like the Blue Zone and things like it.
A interesting supply strategy to checkout is http://www.loopstore.com
Your favorite products are now zero waste.
Dear Ripper
I don’t know what to say about saving the environment. We are all at fault. We live in homes that are too big, drive cars that consume too much fuel, eat too much food, consume too much stuff. In Naples we had over 20 record breaking days of heat temperatures over last year! And one day below last year. Traffic is more of a problem every day ….. that is private jet traffic. There is talk of building a road through the middle of the state from Miami to Jacksonville. Think about the environmental damage that will result from that project. Unimaginable! Unfortunately this is not a problem until it is a problem. Our kids are going to have to sort this out. We can help a little bit but right now it is mostly lip service. I don’t mean to be pessimistic and I’ll do what ever I can to help. But this is a huge nut to crack ….. look how we are dealing with “19”. No vision, no real plan, no focus.
I hate to send this because generally I’m a pretty optimistic person … but Nell got mad at me last night. So there you go.
Ed
Way pessimistic for Ed Mayotte! Not what we expect at all from you. Pull yourself together. Chin up, roll those sleeves up and get to work!