8 ways MT families can engage on climate in 2022
First, our hearts go out to all of the families in Colorado being impacted by wildfire right now. With warmer temperatures contributing to a lengthening fire season across the West, Montanans can empathize with what they are facing. Folks in Denton, and other Montana communities faced early December fires fed by strong winds as well. Families lost everything. It should not be this way.
It's simple: we must limit global warming as much as possible to protect our families, and their future.
To do so will require big changes. Connecting in community is not only a critical part of building power to make change, it also strengthens our courage, builds community resiliency, and deepens our resolve to act now to ensure a thriving future for our kids.
Secondly, we are incredibly thankful for the outpouring of support we’ve received this year as we work to create community for climate action and empower families to advocate for a livable future. From our core team and member families, donors, business sponsors, to our organizational partners across Montana, we’ve been amazed at how quickly our community is growing. You are the reason we show up, reach out, and continue our work to engage families and caregivers in the climate movement. Thank you.
Photo by Phoebe Bean
Onward to 2022
Looking toward the New Year, we're ready to get to work, and we know many of you are thinking about how to become more involved in the climate movement. You've stopped me on the street during 68-degree days in December. You've written late-night emails about your hopes for change. You've jumped in as a first-time donor with generous support.
You may not be a climate professional, but you know that you want a livable future for your family, and that is all you need to know to get involved.
As one place to start, we’ve created a quick list of 8 ways Montana families can make a difference on climate in 2022:
1. Find a climate action community that inspires and supports you. It may be with us. It may be elsewhere. Most importantly: connecting in community = resiliency. We invite you to join our first monthly Welcome Call on Friday, January 14, for Montana parents and caregivers wanting to join the movement. Meet others who have joined in some kind of action, discuss your interests and concerns in a supportive context, learn about our action teams, volunteer opportunities, and more.
2. Talk about climate change regularly with friends and family. Talking about climate change is crucial for building support for bold action. Nervous about those conversations? Share your climate story as a place to start. Check out Katharine Hayhoe’s MT talk from last spring, “The First Step to Tackling Climate Change”, and please join us for our upcoming panel discussion, "Climate Conversations Across Differences," to learn more and build confidence in having these conversations.
3. Donate to a Montana climate organization. Support our work, or support other Montana climate organizations who work statewide or locally. Whether you can contribute $5 or $500, your financial support will make a difference.
4. Volunteer with a MT climate organization that inspires you to act. Check out their website, then call them and make a plan to get involved.
5. Take climate action with your kids. Taking action can help alleviate anxiety, and inspire meaningful conversations. Check out this Climate actions for kids post for a few ideas.
Photo by Phoebe Bean
6. Commit to eliminating or reducing your big-ticket emissions. If you have the means to do so:
Switch to an electric vehicle (and/or switch to biking and busing),
Switch to renewable energy for your home (MREA can get you started),
Replace your gas stove (learn about the dangers of “natural” gas in your home, and solutions, in this great fact sheet from our friends at MEIC), and
Move your investments (and banking) out of fossil fuels (check out our latest Decarbonize Your Money event recording).
7. Step up to lead in your field, or another place where climate isn’t yet being addressed. We can help you start a conversation in your workplace, place of worship, or another context, please contact us.
8. Vote! Support strong climate action in 2022!
You matter; our shared future matters; and no person or action is too small to make a difference. Who better to speak up or take action on behalf of your family's future than you?
Let's create a thriving and just future for all families, together.
Wishing you a healthy and peaceful new year,
Winona Bateman
Director, Families for a Livable Climate