watercolor paintings to those that donate to charities through her PayPal Giving page at Chuffed.org/project/peace-love- hope-for-rhinos. “Each year, I think I’m getting a little bit better at creating art which sends a strong message,” she says. “Te message I try to express is that some of our best-known wild animals might in my lifetime no longer be on the planet. I think the difference I make through art is that I am helping to raise awareness for important animal conservation work.”


Every Action Counts There’s no one solution to climate change, says Catherine Macdonald, TNC director of natural climate solu- tions for North America. “We really have to try, all of us. It’s important that everyone feel they can contribute, because everything does make a differ- ence, and no action is too small.” For those that are not art-inclined,


one of the best things people can do is to plant trees, Macdonald says, whether it’s replanting forests or increasing their num- bers in urban areas. According to a 2018 study by TNC published in Science Ad- vances, nature-driven land management


could sequester 21 percent of America’s annual greenhouse gas pollution—the equivalent of emissions from all cars and trucks on the roads today. Planting trees emerged in the study as the most signifi- cant among 21 strategies to mitigate global warming. One good way to get started is join the TNC Plant a Billion Trees program, Macdonald says; details are at Tinyurl.com/TNCPlantABillionTrees. “Climate change is definitely a grow-


ing concern that we are facing, and as more people understand there is a problem and what the solutions are, the more influence we can have on the big decision-makers, whether that’s government or corporations that make our products,” she says. “And being aware informs voters to advance climate action.” While Josie, Ember, Azalea and


the students at Daina-Isard aren’t old enough to vote, their message is strong. “I’m worried about the impact climate change will have on our future,” Josie says. “I think people should protest peacefully for the things they believe in and that more people should exercise their right to vote for leaders who care about the youth in our world and the generations to come. I also think people


Getting Started Climate Action Opportunities


Fridays For Future – Tis is a global movement sparked by Greta Tunberg, with a map for climate strikes around the world (FridaysForFuture.org).


Te United Nations – Consider supporting several campaigns for climate change with grassroots strategies, including Climate Neutral Now, ACT Now and Good Life Goals (UN.org).


Moms Clean Air Force – Parents protecting children from climate-driven pollution, offering strategies to get kids involved (MomsCleanAirForce.org).


Earth Hour 2020 – Read about the global effort to dramatize environmental con- cerns that occurred on March 28 when lights were turned off for an hour around the world (EarthHour.org).


Panda Ambassadors – World Wildlife Fund engages activists of all ages with a toolkit and inspirational stories (WorldWildlife.org).


Plant a Billion Trees – Join in the massive reforestation project by supporting the Nature Conservancy and planting trees (Nature.org).


Polar Bears International – Get involved and inspired through creative projects for polar bears (PolarBearsInternational.org).


18 Austin Area Edition AustinAwakenings.com


should try to spend a little bit of their time taking action for what they want to see changed in our world.”


Julie Marshall is a Colorado-based writer and author of Making Burros Fly: Cleveland Amory, Animal Rescue Pioneer. Connect with her at FlyingBurros@gmail.com.


Local Resources Te Sunrise Movement is a movement to stop climate change and create mil- lions of good jobs in the process. Sunrise is building an army of young people to make climate change an urgent prior- ity across America, end the corrupting influence of fossil fuel executives on poli- tics, and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people.


For more information visit SunriseMove- ment.org or connect locally at Facebook. com/SunriseATX.


Te Extinction Rebellion works to spark and sustain a spirit of creative rebellion, which will enable much needed changes in our political, economic and social land- scape. Tey endeavor to mobilize and train organizers to skillfully open space, so that communities can develop the tools they need to address the deeply rooted problems of the United States. Tey work to transform society into one that is compassionate, inclu- sive, sustainable, equitable and connected.


For more information, visit ExtinctionRe- bellion.us or connect locally at Facebook. com/XRAustin.


350.org believes the fight against climate change is a fight for justice. People all over the world are feeling the impacts, but the people suffering most are the ones who have done the least to cause the problem. Te work they do—and the ways they do it—addresses that injustice. Tat means listening to the communities who are getting hit hardest, amplifying the voices that are being silenced, and following the leadership of the people on the frontlines of the crisis.


For more information, visit 350.org, or connect locally at 350-Austin.org.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32