Climate Awareness
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Clean Green Action's Climate Awareness project works to make people more aware of the impacts of climate change in central Wisconsin and encourage their support of efforts to confront this crisis. Combating the climate crisis seems overwhelming for an individual to tackle. How can one person make much of a difference? Well, it begins with one informed conversation with someone who doesn’t vote like you, one hour of volunteering that gives you a more informed perspective, one inspired leader that commits to changing the way things have been done, one moment to appreciate the opportunity we are given to improve our own lives and those of others, or one donation to an organization that leans into a positive future. If you are concerned about the climate crisis, then you should be concerned about who represents you at the local, state, and federal level. Here in Wisconsin heavy rainstorms are becoming more frequent, ice cover on the Great Lakes is forming later and melting sooner, and there are more ticks in the woods. This can impact public health, Wisconsin’s forest product industry, agriculture, tourism and outdoor recreation, and biodiversity. To learn more about climate change impacts in Wisconsin, go to https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/climatechange/impacts. We need legislators who are willing to take action to address this issue. Candidates Positions on Climate Change
Of course, I would like you to join Clean Green Action to help us work on our projects. But there may be another organization that is a better fit for you. Here are some in Wisconsin with a focus on central Wisconsin. Clean Green Action is a citizen-led group working to create a greener future for the south Wood County area by creating a sustainable community through education, recycling and conservation efforts. Sierra Club Wisconsin - Individual members are the heart of the Wisconsin Chapter which is organized into six Local Groups, each with its own officers, activities, conservation priorities, programs, and activities. They work together on statewide and regional issues. Aldo Leopold Audubon Society - The Aldo Leopold Audubon Society (ALAS) serves Central Wisconsin including Portage, Wood, Marathon and Waupaca counties. Their goals include environmental advocacy, conservation and habitat restoration, and science-based environmental education. Their mission is to foster appreciation and concern for all living things, and to protect and preserve their ecosystems. Central Wisconsin Nature Foundation - The mission of the Central Wisconsin Nature Foundation is to provide natural resources environmental education to the public in a hands-on interactive environment. PACRS – Petenwell and Castle Rock Stewards is a committed and diverse group of people and organizations that want to ensure that future generations experience the preciousness of these waters. Their stewardship has ranged from helping state and local partners find ways to reduce algae blooms to monitoring water quality and offering grants to support important preservation work. 14 Mile Watershed Alliance – This is a group of motivated citizens that intend to improve the surface and groundwater of the 14 Mile watershed by providing important information and education to encourage public participation. The 14 mile watershed is located primarily in the Central Sand Plains of Wisconsin and includes portions of Adams, Wood, Portage and Waushara counties. 350 Stevens Point - 350 Stevens Point is the place to be for environmental and social justice education, climate change discussion, and other sustainability issues. They focus on community building and making UWSP as sustainable as possible. 350 Stevens Point is a chapter of an international organization called 350.org, focused on the fight for a fossil-free future and climate resiliency. Recommended Reading Over the past two years, Clean Green Action’s Climate Awareness Book Club has been choosing, reading, and discussing books or reports about climate change and sustainability in order to educate themselves and to help find constructive ways to address the issues while also addressing our own anxieties about the overwhelming nature of the problem. There are many books on this topic, but here are some Book Club suggestions to help you get started:
People are often lead to believe that environmentally friendly choices come with a higher financial burden. That simply isn't true. Saving money and saving the planet often go hand in hand, whether that means powering down appliances when not in use, insulating dwellings to improved energy efficiency, traveling less, consuming less, or investing in products that will save money over time. Below is some information on government incentives to make such purchases.
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Some of the books that the Climate Awareness Book Club has read.
Clean Green Action’s Climate Awareness Book Club went to ‘Brunch on the Farm’ in Milladore as a social gathering with great food (thanks to @LonelyOakFarm)! Our virtual book club finished discussing The Sixth Extinction, Saving Us, and How Beautiful We Were earlier this year.
The book club is taking a reading break over the summer, with a few social gatherings being planned. They will pick their books up again in September with “How to Change Everything” by Naomi Klein followed by “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Anyone interested in joining our wonderful and supportive group of readers should reach out to [email protected].
The Local Impacts of Climate Change Display was created in 2021 and has been displayed throughout the area. The display focuses on the effects of climate change on many recreation activities, tourism and farming.
Here are some opportunities to learn more about climate change:
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