The changes are dramatic. It’s a call to action. – Dr. Ron Kwok, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
I’ve been an environmentalist as long as I can remember. In fact, I started recycling in 7th grade, and in my first year of college I interned at the East Michigan Environmental Action Council (EMEAC), where I worked with an environmental attorney fighting to save wetlands. Today, my home is located in the same area where EMEAC helped stop a huge freeway from wiping out the wetlands. Every morning I wake up grateful, surrounded by nature, birds and water. Imagine!
We are faced with a climate crisis and you may ask yourself, “Is it already too late?” Well that depends…
First of all, I am so honored to have this opportunity to share my thoughts through this ezine and our show, Smart Women Talk. My goal today is to share some ideas and resources to let you decide for yourself.
The issues we are facing right now are more than just climate change:
Wild Animals: The world has lost two thirds (2/3) of its wild animals in the last 50 years due to human activities, including poaching, deforestation, animal agriculture, and more. This includes mammals, fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians. And according to the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Report 2020: Populations in Latin America and the Caribbean have fared worst, with an average of 94% loss! That means that the rain forests will no longer buzz with sound. Scientists have long warned that the world is entering a sixth mass extinction, driven by our activities. That means we can change!
Insects: In the book, The Inset Crisis: The Fall of the Tiny Empires that Run the World, Oliver Milton shares how collapsing insect populations worldwide threaten everything from wild birds to the food on our plates. We’ve heard about the plight of bees, but all of nature is intricately connected.
Our Oceans: They cover 70% of our planet and absorb 30-50% of the CO2 produced by the burning of fossil fuel. This comes at a cost by acidifying the water, creating dead zones, the bleaching of corals and much more. And in the last few decades, the populations of key commercial species have declined by more than 90% due to overfishing. Join the Ocean Conservancy to learn how you can help!
So you may be thinking, this is really horrifying, but what are some simple tips that I can take action on immediately? I found a wonderful post on onetreeplanted.org, called 20 Best Ways to Stop Climate Change in 2020. It’s a must read! Be sure to also check out the fabulous checklist, Twenty Things You Can Do This Month to Stop Climate Change in the article.
I’m so excited to bring you our two guests this month. When we decided to focus on Climate Change for Earth Day this month, my husband said, “Why don’t you interview a young person and get their view on Climate Change?” Then he told me about Brittany Multer, a civil engineer-turned-soil scientist. Brittany is going to share the impact soil has on our life.
Our second guest this month is Sandy Baruah, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. Sandy will be sharing what Detroit and the automotive industry are doing to fight climate change.
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Katana Abbott, CFP®, is a Midlife Millionaire® Coach, founder of the Smart Women Companies, and the host Smart Women Talk with over a million subscribers. For over 30 years, Katana has shown women how to take charge of their life and finances and believes it’s never too early to plan for expected and unexpected events like retirement, encore careers, moving abroad, or preparing for long-term care. She has written several books, created a financial literacy course, and is a popular speaker. Katana has been honored by NAWBO as one of Detroit’s Top 10 Business Women, receiving the Breakthrough Award. To download her new retirement guide, Three Smart Strategies for a Midlife Millionaire® Lifestyle. visit www.katanaabbott.com