New Year’s Resolutions—for the Planet

Every year, I make those same New Year’s resolutions – lose weight, exercise more, read more, watch less TV. Almost always, they are aspirations for self improvement. But, as the New York Times newsletter, “Climate Fwd” recently pointed out, perhaps 2021 is the year to make a New Year’s resolution to help the planet.

In past articles for this column we’ve talked about changes we can do personally, within our church, and in the community. But let’s be honest, those are tiny drops in the bucket compared to the urgent changes needed nation-wide to slow (let alone reverse) the rapid onslaught of climate change. Covid19 taught us the phrase “flatten the curve”. Now we need to apply this to global warming. And as with Covid19, drastic action is required.

This year, my New Year’s resolution will be to “THINK BIG”.

We can start by supporting some of the flagship efforts of our Governor to be an example for the rest of the country. His goals include the following:

• Establish a Clean Fuel Standard, which reduces transportation pollution through electrification of cleaner fuels for ferries, transit, and passenger vehicles.
• Pass the Climate Commitment Act, which caps statewide greenhouse gas emissions and invests in clean energy, transportation, and climate resilience projects, and funds part of the Working Families Tax Credit.
• Pass the Healthy Homes and Clean Buildings Act, which requires new buildings to use carbon-free space and water heating by 2030, and puts the state on a pathway to fully decarbonize existing buildings by 2050.
• Require an environmental justice assessment for all climate-related investments, and create an Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Panel to analyze how climate investments impact those most vulnerable to climate change.
• Invest $428 million in clean transportation, clean buildings, and clean energy projects.

We can write letters, email, and call our government representatives to make sure they know what legislation and policies we think are important. We can check our 401(k)’s and eliminate any investments in fossil fuels (and ask our employers to do the same). We can write to Target and other big box stores and urge them to reduce plastic packaging. We can pray for the earth, for guidance on how best to use our own talents and resources to help, and for the energy to carry out our intentions. What will your New Year’s resolution be?

When the earth is sick and dying,

There will come a tribe of people

From all races

Who will put their faith in deeds,

Not words, and make the planet

Green again.

—Cree Prophecy
From Praying for the Earth by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee