Creation Care Mom

I’m sitting here thinking. How? How can it be November already? The end of October flew by. I did not get as much rest and recovery as I wanted, but taking blogging off my plate did allow me to better handle the craziness that came my way.

If you are reading this on release day, YAY! Because some of what I’ll say in here is time sensitive. Tomorrow is election day, at least in the USA. And no matter what happens with the presidential election, it’s important to remember that the rest of the elections matter too. Many down ballot races across the US will have far reaching consequences for climate.

As someone who is passionate about the government using its power to encourage sustainability, I am well aware of how different the presidential candidates are. One is ready to strip almost all environmental protections from the books and encourage more reckless development of fossil fuels. Our other candidate is seeking to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels by encouraging widespread deployment of renewable energy, increase building and fuel efficiency, and invest in research, development, and deployment of battery storage options. From my position, there is only one choice that is likely to result in a livable planet for my son.

And yet, so much of the climate change conversation also happens at home, on the ground, in your city, county or state. In Kansas, for instance, one of the most pivotal races is for the Board of Education. It matters because enough seats are up for election that the power could move one way or the other. If the Republicans win power, we could see climate change education in our schools disappear, at least what little we have, and be replaced with forcing all students to have Bible instruction. At the state level, there is a tight contest to see if the Republican party can achieve a supermajority, allowing them to override the governor’s veto. This achievement would allow them to prevent cities from imposing a ban on single use plastic items. Essentially forcing cities to cover the disposal of these single use items that won’t decompose whether they want to or not.

You might be surprised to see how similar things are playing out in your community. Over in Arizona, there is a tight race to see who will hold power on the Arizona Cooperation Commission. This commission regulates the states water and power utilities, approving rates, and dictating how the grid is built and operated. With a Republican supermajority, recent policies have discouraged solar deployment by charged rooftop solar fees, and 8% rate hike, and the approval of 2 new natural gas power plants. So much bad new for climate, and such shady dealings that several lawsuits are in progress.

However, three seats on the commission are up for election. With 8 total candidates, 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, 2 Green party, this election is the one I will be watching closely tomorrow. One of the sunniest states in the nation could become the solar capital of the USA, or it could continue to backslide even as economics continue to favor solar projects over natural gas. So if you know anyone in Arizona, remind them of the importance of this election. (Read more here.)

Pennsylvania is a large greenhouse gas emitter with high usage of coal and natural gas. Obviously, fracking has gotten a lot of attention on the national scale as Republicans try to paint Kamala as someone who will ban fracking. (Since most fracking is on private ground, this is basically impossible.) But what is most concerning is the lack of investment in renewable generation. Local politics are heavily influenced by fossil fuel money and so no new climate legislation has been passed by the state government since 2008. It ranks 48th in the nation for solar, wind, and geothermal development in the last decade and does barely better (46th) when exclusively looking at solar over the past 5 years. (Link). With a Democratic governor currently in place, it seems like the ideal time to finally make something happen, AND YET, Democrats barely have majority in the state Senate and the Republicans control the state House. Since polling for local races is almost non-existent, no ones know whether the democrats have shifted voters enough to flip the seats they need to have the power of trifecta. At stake are two climate bills, one requiring 35% renewable generation by 2035 and the other a polluter pays bill, requiring polluters to pay for their carbon emissions. (Polluter pays bills result in shifting the economic balance in favor of renewable generation.) Given the failure of both parties to work together nationwide, there is little hope of either bill passing without democrat control. So once again, local races matter. The sum of local races direct the overall trajectory of our nation. If we can change things in Pennsylvania, then we can change things anywhere.

For many of you there may not be a election on your ballot that is critical to our creation care efforts. That’s ok. Moving the needle is a tiny step at a time. Most effects are cascades that result from little actions. Maybe you speak up at church to shift away from disposable products. Replacing them with real true plates, cups, and bowls. If no one will listen, maybe you run for the church board yourself. At home, you can add solar panels. As more people add solar it increases the likelihood of the rest of your neighbors adding solar. Be the first drop. A leader. Garden and make it visible. Taking care of our well-manicured lawns takes a RIDICULOUS amount of resources for what is essentially a dessert for wildlife. Change the narrative by making wild lawns normal.

I could go on and on. There are so many little shifts that matter. And those shifts can add up to something big. So whatever way the election goes, know that your individual power is in the day to day choices.

Much love to you all.

Arwyn