Shoals to the Shores, Casie Jones
Change. Sometimes it’s hard to deal with, but, change can bring new light on difficult situations and inspire confidence to handle the future.
On September 20th, across the nation and globe, activists will gather to demonstrate the need for dedication to climate action. The Rise for Climate movement involves a social responsibility for promoting clean energy, sustainable jobs, and powerful justice for our communities and environment.
Concerned Alabama citizens will also gather on various dates and locations around the state to show their own dedication to climate action and justice. Rise for Climate Mobile Bay, hosted by the Sierra Club Mobile Bay Group and MEJAC (Mobile Environmental Justice Coalition), will take place on September 20th in Bienville Square, Downtown Mobile. This non-partisan, educational event will include speakers such as, Michael Hansen of GASP, Cade Kistler of Mobile Baykeeper, and Doug Mardula of Compass Solar Energy, along with other important voices. The goals for this event parallel those of the United Nations Climate Action Summit and were, further, influenced by the need for renewable energy jobs in Mobile, opportunities for residents to play a role in climate resilience planning, and economic stability for communities and future generations.
In North Alabama, the Shoals Renewable Energy Symposium will be held on September 5th, sponsored by the Shoals League of Women Voters, University of Alabama Center for Sustainability, and Energy Alabama. The event is free to the public and will include topics such as “Energy Policy for Alabama, ” presented by Daniel Tait of Energy Alabama and “The Need for Sustainability in the 21st Century,” presented by Brenda Webb, Ph.D. of UNA.
Nonrenewable energy has powered our state for nearly two centuries; it helped modernize and industrialize our society and created jobs throughout our economical history. Now, as we continue to progress, we see the importance of change and contemplate how, change itself, has led us to where we are today.
As Sierrans, we should establish personal, community-based, and policy-driven goals that lead us to sources of renewable energy. We should prioritize maintaining a clean environment, stable economy, and healthy families and communities. We should take action demanding investment in sustainable energy technologies and asking our legislators to make it a priority on their agendas. We should consider our roles as consumers and require clean energy as a right and a product that we want to purchase. According to National Sierra Club campaign “Ready for 100”, more than 130 cities across the nation have committed to goals that will accompany the transition to 100% clean energy. Let’s put Alabama cities on that list!