In partnership with Climate Change Newmarket-Aurora, NewmarketToday brings you a regular series of columns aimed at creating awareness and engaging our community to take action on climate change.
I can’t recall a time when I was not fascinated by the natural world. At six years of age, I would go out on my own exploring the ravines near our house in Don Mills. I remember comparing the seasons’ progress between years and trying to understand what would account for the differences that I noticed. Rainfall and snowfall changes were particularly important for play value, and I kept records from year to year.
Now I am a retired high school music teacher with qualifications in science, as well. I personally observe and seek out information and perspectives from climate scientists, naturalists, artists, and others who have a heart connection to this amazing world.
Today, I choose to spend regular time in the woods, at water’s edge, hiking trails and observing with all my senses so as to more fully appreciate nature. I love the rendering of all this by artists, storytellers and sages. This feeds my soul, as well.
As I observe and read, I am starting to think that this is too hard a journey for most people. Decisions are being made as though there is no urgency, no impending crisis, no need to change in big ways. This makes sense. If we pay attention, we should all be alarmed. If we allowed it to sink in to the point of logical action, we should be doing everything possible to mobilize personal and corporate responses.
We would be radically changing our lifestyles… but we are not. It seems that we are too paralyzed by the scale of the problem to actually absorb it and imagine the future that we have before us.
A few years ago, I heard about a group of climate activists in a Newmarket/Aurora called Drawdown. They were inspired by the book of the same name that detailed a path that could lead to urgently needed changes in our society. I found an inspiring, informed, and motivated group of local activists in this group. We recently re-branded ourselves: Climate Action Newmarket Aurora, “CANA”
This new name requires no explanation and has attracted new members.
If action seems overwhelming, start by picking one. Climate action is about revisiting the reasoning behind day-to-day things, one at a time, to see if a greener, cleaner alternative is viable. This May 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Legion Hall in Newmarket, you can join an inclusive, optimistic, conversational town hall, “Can I Actually Make a Difference?,” that explores four key areas of action to inspire and motivate you.
Actions will show others that there is hope, and each of us can make a difference. That is one of Climate Action Newmarket Aurora’s mandates. Help us get the word out and say YES to making every day Earth Day.
Inspired by the international organization Project Drawdown, Climate Action Newmarket-Aurora seeks to engage citizens, institutions, and policymakers in actionable and measurable solutions to stop catastrophic climate change as quickly, safely and equitably as possible. You can contact them at [email protected], and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
