Happy Earth Day, reader!
I’m so grateful to be in community with you and to take time this week to celebrate life on planet Earth!
We all cherish our planet and its living systems. We’re awed by how abundantly and generously Earth provides. The civilizations, systems and technologies we’ve built on her landscapes and with her resources are a source of continual astonishment and appreciation.
As the dominant species on this remarkable planet, humans have immense influence on how it looks and functions. We can choose to be surrounded by beautiful vistas and diverse creatures, breathe pristine air, be solaced by the rhythms of natural cycles and seasons.
Abundance Despite Climate Change
Despite the great task of responding to climate change, humans are enjoying an amazing moment in our history on Earth. We are the most educated, the most well-fed and most peaceful we have ever been.
Over the last century the world has made unprecedented progress in improving living standards. Just think of all the things we could we accomplish together, with all our education, surplus, safety and cohesion!
And yet, many climate conversations—among environmental advocates and skeptics alike—are framed around scarcity: not enough funding, not enough political will, not enough time, not enough attention for those most affected.
Hopelessness Is Not an Option
But what happens when the most capable and resourceful species on Earth is led to believe it is powerless or lacking? What outcomes does that produce?
Nothing good.
Because of these unhelpful and untrue narratives of deficit, we underestimate how many of us care about climate, and we underestimate our own successes and efficacy in reversing climate damage.
The thing I want to celebrate this Earth Day with you is that people who are climate informed and active make up the vast national and global majority.
The care we give is enough, and the actions we take work.
We Have the Solutions
Climate change is something we have complete and total agency over. We have every technology and solution we need to stabilize the life systems human society depends upon.
These solutions don’t deprive humanity in any way. Implementing these solutions benefits our social, mental and physical well-being.
We can avoid the worst of climate consequences with a single generation of concerted action.
And the best part is that concerted action is already well underway!
A Critical Choice
Since the Paris Climate Agreement 11 years ago, the global community has made incredible progress on reducing our carbon emissions and repairing Earth’s carbon sinks. A decade ago, we were on track for 3 or 4 degrees Celsius of warming compared to pre-industrial levels, which would have been devastating for all life.
The agreement set a goal of limiting warming to well below 2°C, recognizing that crossing that threshold would bring severe and widespread impacts.
We hit 1.5 degrees in 2025, and every tenth of a degree of warming makes a world of difference. Holding this warming at that 2 degrees Celsius threshold is a choice we can still make.
Acting Locally
FRCC Climate Action is a group of climate-enthusiastic Front Range Community College employees who have chosen to bring the spirit of the Paris Climate Agreement to our college campuses and our own households. We engage with students and colleagues to foster a sense of possibility and agency around climate solutions.
Our primary goal is to push back against climate doomism and disinformation, and to strengthen resilience within our community. We have hosted a speaker series on the climate conscious home, a book club on designing climate-informed curriculum, and we frequently host a table at FRCC events.
Activism Through Learning
The part of our climate work that this team values the most is our monthly conversations and our shared advocacy. We learn from one another’s passions, stay informed about legislative opportunities, support each other’s projects and attend volunteer and community events.
Our activism is part of our social lives and our creative outlets. Activism is a privilege, and with privileges come responsibilities. This Earth Day, I’m grateful and proud to be part of the many ways our college community shows up, speaks out and takes action.
I invite you to please explore and enjoy some of our recent work…
Book Club
The Existential Toolkit for Climate Justice Educators edited by Jennifer Atkinson and Sarah Jaquette Ray
“An easy-to-use field guide for teaching on climate injustice and building resilience in your students—and yourself—in an age of crisis.”
Equity Summit Podcast
(Log in into Spotify for video)
Semester Start Session
A debrief of Sustainable Living Association‘s leadership program, as well as a conversation about FRCC’s Climate Action:
Bitly Link to Podcast https://bit.ly/FA25climatestart
(Log in into Spotify for video)
Zoom Presentation
“To the Future! The Thrill of Climate Leadership”
KC Petersen, Front Range Community College
(Passcode: 5?A3Y.E1)
