I have to start this with a disclaimer. I have been wanting to write about this topic for a while, but did not want to talk about how horrible the effects have been. I finally found a way to discuss the positives of climate change. I hope I serve it well.
There is no doubt that we are definitely living in the consequences of promoting a negative climate. The climate is changing and it is not great. Over the past few years, we have had lake effect blizzards, hurricanes, tornados, floods, earthquakes, mudslides, and fires. The crabs disappeared. What’s that about?
The saddest part, for me, is that we knew this was coming. Congress was warned about the greenhouse effect 30+ years ago. Yet, significant action was taken after it became obvious that we are on a road to self-destruction. It is obvious that there will be long-term consequences to our neglect, yet, we still have time to do something different. Since we now (should) know beyond a shadow of a doubt that climate change is real, can we use this knowledge to change the climate for the better?
That is what I have wanted to write about. And now, I get to do it.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Kenya, Africa
I learned about this real life example of climate change done right while watching the documentary Mully (2015). This is the incredible rags to riches to philanthropy story of Charles Mully of Kenya. His origins and transformation are enough to place you in awe, but what I found absolutely amazing was how he changed arid land into a hearty oasis through intentional climate change. Within a few years, he transformed a place that was dry and destitute into a sustainable source of life giving water, food, and shelter to a large community. This was done through soil conservation, environmental management, community tree planting, water harvesting and conservation, and renewable energy production, promotion, and utilization. He did so well that his organization, Mully Children’s Family, is able to sale their surplus harvest globally after feeding their hundreds of orphans and partner programs.
Climate Justice Education Certificate k-12
San Francisco State University, USA
San Francisco State University (SFSU) is taking strides to prepare teachers to teach climate change in a proactive way. In recognizing that climate change has affected every aspect of our lives, they also identified that most teachers have had minimal to no preparation on how to understand it or how to teach it. In response, they created the Climate Justice Education Certificate for K-12. The four-course program will focus on teaching educators about climate justice and how to teach it in relevance to the communities they serve. The program is set to start next year (summer 2024) and has the goal of training 60 teachers over the next five years. The hope is for graduates to take their knowledge back to their schools and share it with their peers.
Both of these are current day examples of what we can do to start changing the climate change narrative for the better. If you want to get involved, I encourage you to reach out to these or any local organization to become a part of positive climate change.
Comments 1
This is so interesting! Thank you for sharing! My students and I have studied local data potentially showing climate change and brainstorming ways to both slow and stop it. I will be teaching them about the example from Kenya! I really would like to look more into that training as well!