Climate Crisis

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released their report in 2021 and there is much to learn from their findings; we highly encourage everyone to read the Summary for Policymakers (and bring it to the attention of their lawmakers!), but we have tried to highlight some of the most important items below.

Here is what we know:

• The climate is changing faster than expected and these changes are widespread and growing in intensity.
• CO2 is at its highest level in at least 2 million years.
• Sea levels are rising faster than at any time in the last 3000 years.
• Arctic sea ice is at its lowest area in at least 1000 years.
• Glaciers are retreating at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2000 years.
• Limiting warming to 1.5°C is going to be impossible without drastic reductions in emissions.
• Extreme climate events, including heavy rainfall, heat waves, and droughts, are all becoming more frequent and severe due to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels.

Here is what we can do:

• Support efforts to move towards renewable energy. This includes contacting lawmakers, making better choices in our energy usage and sources, and supporting efforts to advance renewable technologies. (To stay updated on these types of effort be sure to follow us and our Indiana Beyond Coal team on Facebook!)
• Participate in utility processes, such as commenting during IRP (integrated resource plan) periods - in other words, when utilities are deciding how they will generate electricity.
• Hold elected officials accountable for their votes on legislation that impacts energy decisions.
• Support proposals that will make addressing the climate crisis a priority - legislation like the Green New Deal are not extreme, they are vitally necessary in order to address the growing climate crisis and we must not be afraid to demand movement toward a sustainable future.
• Follow organizations doing important work here in Indiana, including Earth Charter Indiana, Hoosier Environmental Council, Citizens Action Coalition, Solarize Indiana, Solar United Neighbors, Confront the Climate Crisis, and many others!
• Finally, above all, we must continue to fight for action and hold onto hope. For our grandchildren. For our children. For ourselves.

Get involved in this work. Learn more about how you can volunteer with us. Donate to our work. And keep moving forward.

Clean Air is a Human Right by Ethan Bledsoe

November 30, 2020.

We are excited to share the work of Ethan Bledsoe, member of our Repower Indiana Greater Lafayette team and leader with West Lafayette Climate Strikes. Ethan’s amazing art was completed as part of the Project Green Challenge. Learn more via projectgreenchallenge.com, and see more of Ethan's work on our Indiana Beyond Coal facebook page.

The West Lafayette Climate Strikes group also have a petition for their Confront the Climate Crisis campaign. More info here. You can support the work of WL Climate by taking action via linktr.ee/wlclimate.