Climate Connection: Does Your Carbon Footprint Matter?
By Anna Zaunder
If you have ever calculated your carbon footprint, you may have felt overwhelmed by the results. The factors influencing your carbon footprint can range from the types of transportation you use to how frequently you shower. At the end of the process, you have a greater sense of how all of your daily actions contribute to global carbon emissions, but now what?
You could come up with a list of ways to decrease your carbon emissions: eating less meat, conserving electricity, or braving the rain and walking instead of driving. If you are committing to these lifestyle changes to reduce your carbon emissions, you probably want to know if all that time walking in the rain is really worth it.
The latest episode on How to Save a Planet, a podcast hosted by Alex Blumberg and Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, explores the reality of individual action. They state that the average yearly carbon footprint of an individual American is 16 tons of carbon compared to the annual global CO2 emissions which are about 50 billion tons. The hosts put this data into context, stating that even if you committed to a zero-carbon lifestyle, this change would only result in a 0.0000000003% decrease in carbon.
This statistic may be discouraging for those who are trying to alter their lifestyles to reduce their carbon footprint. But it doesn’t have to be, as individual action reaches far beyond this carbon statistic. Actions can be seen as a form of communication, inviting others to join you. Communicating about these issues and changing your practices shows others that these issues are important and deserve attention.
Just talking about climate change is one of the most valuable actions you can take. The lack of discussion on these issues leads people to believe that there are more climate change deniers out there than there are. How to Save a Planet cites that only 10% of Americans deny climate change. The power of individuals at the grassroots increasing awareness and popularity of this issue puts pressure on the bigger systems, the largest carbon emitters, and policy makers to make changes.
There are many opportunities to take individual action to change the larger systems that contribute to the majority of the global carbon footprint. To identify these, How to Save a Planet suggests creating a three-part Venn diagram. Start by asking yourself what you’re good at, what skills and resources you have. What climate change issues are important to you. And what brings you joy. Where these overlap can identify a space where you can help advocate for institutional action. While just reducing your carbon footprint may not significantly reduce carbon, focusing on an issue that is important to you and engaging others in the discussion is a great way to increase pressure on the systems contributing most to the issue to make the large-scale changes needed.
Listen to How to Save a Planet wherever you listen to podcasts for more information, resources, and calls to action.
––––
Anna Zauner is a member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby and an AmeriCorps Volunteer
Woman’s Club
Meets April 3
Sitka women are invited to the Sitka Woman’s Club meeting noon Saturday, April 3, at Westmark Sitka.
Call Robin at 852-8575 with questions. The meeting also is available via Zoom with meeting ID: 794 2667 6908 and passcode: friendly.
Annual Big Rig
Event on April 10
The 3 to 5 Preschool will hold its 9th annual spring Big Rig fundraiser 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 10, at the Mt. Edgcumbe High School parking lot.
Tickets for the family event cost $5 per person or $20 for a family of four or more.
Food booths with hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos and pancit from Rivera’s Sarap Sarap Authentic Filipino Foods will be for sale. Sitka Swirls also will be on hand to serve ice cream.
Big Rig T-shirts are for sale (XS 4/6 and SM 6/8) for $15. Masks are required for everyone age 3 years and older. Personal hand sanitizers will be available. Those with an alcohol sensitivity should take their own. For information visit the website www.3to5preschool.org/fundraising or send a message via Facebook to @Threeto5Preschool.
Broadway Night
Slated for April 3
Sitka Fine Arts Camp will host a Night on Broadway 7 p.m. April 3 at the Sitka Performing Arts Center.
Songs will be from smash musicals such as ‘‘Six,’’ ‘‘Into the Woods,’’ ‘‘Chicago’’ and ‘‘Hamilton,’’ featuring local talent Rhiannon Guevin and professional actors Sam Faustine, Jessica Mohr and Branden Noel Thomas, last seen in Sitka for ‘‘Songs for a New World.’’
Masks are required. Tickets for a limited-capacity live show and livestream tickets are at www.fineartscamp.org.
Ocean Wave
Quilters Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 6, via Zoom.
Monthly meetings, September through June, are open to all, members or not. Those wishing to pay the $25 dues receive a monthly newsletter, discounts on classes and other benefits.
For more information call President Sarah Jordan at 738-7272.
Easter Bunny
At Legion Hall
The Easter Bunny will be at the American Legion Hall 1 p.m. Saturday, April 3.The public can drive or walk by (with masks) the back door of the Legion to receive candy and eggs.
No regular Easter egg hunt will be held this year because of pandemic precautions.
Easter Bread
Sale on April 3
St. Michael the Archangel parish will hold an Easter bread – Kulich in Russian – fundraiser sale at the Cathedral entry 11 a.m. until sold out on Saturday, April 3.
‘‘The community is invited to come see why kulich has been a favorite tradition in Sitka since the 1800s,’’ the Cathedral said.
Bakers are reminded to take Easter bread or other Easter baked good donations to the Cathedral by 10 a.m. on sale day or call 738-4166 or 747-6737.
Bishop Plans
Visit to Sitka
His Grace the Right Reverend Alexis, Bishop of Bethesda and Locum Tenens for the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska, will visit the Sitka parish Monday, April 5, through Thursday, April 8.
The administrative visit will be during the Feast of the Annunciation. Services for the feast will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, with Great Compline and Matins. On Wednesday, April 7, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy will be held at 9:30 a.m.
Questions may be directed to Reverend Father Ishmael Andrew at 747-8120.
Artist McIntyre
Presentation Listed
The Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum will host a virtual presentation with Chuna McIntyre (Yup’ik) 2 p.m. on April 3 on Zoom.
In his presentation titled, “Reserved & Quiet Splendor: Central Yup’ik Clothing and Ceremonial Accoutrements,” McIntyre will give information about and images and pieces he has created, such as garments and dance fans, and used in traditional Yup’ik practices and ceremonial events.
It is the final event in the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum Share Your Culture/Share Your Research Winter Zoom Series and will be posted to the Friends of Sheldon Jackson Museum Youtube channel at a date soon after the presentation.
To access the Zoom event, go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81672548803?pwd=MEIvUzRJQmFPSFpKSmM0TnNmN1Q5QT09 and input Meeting ID: 816 7254 8803 Passcode: 537460.
For information about the event, call the museum at 747-8981.
The museum is open to the public. For the most up-to-date information on museum operating hours and admission, please visit: https://lam.alaska.gov/sjm-info.
Gun, Gear Swap
Slated April 10
The Sitka Sportsman’s Association will hold its Gun and Gear Swap and Sell 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 10, at 5211 Halibut Point Road.
Sellers tables for rent are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Both individuals and businesses can sell at this event and only sellers may arrive at 8 a.m. to set up.
Sellers must reserve a table by contacting Chad at 623-0908 or email premiertrainingak@gmail.com.
5K Run, Walk
Set for April 10
The Herring Protectors 5K run and walk is slated 10 a.m. April 10 at Whale Park.
Registration begins at 9 a.m. Participants should wear masks until social distancing can occur, organizers said. Herring masks will be given to the first 20 registrants.
Donations to support the herring protectors are appreciated.
School Board
Meets April 7
Sitka School Board will meet 6 p.m. April 7 at Centennial Hall.
The public is invited to attend.
Call Given for
Grant Applications
The Juneau Community Foundation’s Douglas-Dornan Foundation Fund is accepting applications for funding support from April 1 through June 1. The fund offers grants to organizations that benefit and enhance the health, education and welfare of individuals in Southeast Alaska.
To find out more or to get an application form visit the website at www.juneaucf.org or contact Paul D. Douglas, Advisor, 3014 Foster Ave., Juneau, Alaska 99801, Phone (907) 463-3042.
Completed applications must be mailed to Douglas and postmarked no later than June 1.
Legislature
Sets Meetings
The Alaska Legislature will hold meetings on the following bills during the week of April 5.
–Tuesday, April 6: 8 a.m., HB47 Council for Alaskan Native Languages; 9 a.m., SB64 Shellfish Projects, Hatcheries, Fees (public testimony); 10 a.m., HB54 Invasive Species Management (public testimony); and 3 p.m., HB63 Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board (public testimony).
–Wednesday, April 7: 1:30 p.m., SJR1 to guarantee the Permanent Fund Dividend (public testimony).
–Thursday, April 8: 8 a.m., HB 47 Council for Alaskan Native Languages (public testimony); 1:30 p.m., Approp: Operating budget/Loans/Funds; 2-3:3- p.m. Mental Health Budget (Sitka public testimony 2-3:30 p.m., call 844-586-9085 by 3 p.m. to get in the queue); 1:30 p.m., AMHS Operation and Planning Board.
For a full list of topics, visit akleg.gov and click on “Daily Schedule.” If public testimony is being taken, individuals can call in at 844-586-9085. Be aware that meetings may be canceled at any time. Track bills by text by calling the Sitka Legislative Office at 747-6276 or visit akleg.gov for more information.
Health Summit
Luncheon Set
The virtual Wooch.een Health Networking and Learning Meeting will be noon Friday, April 16, at the Sitka Health Summit Coalition’s monthly Wooch.een (together in Tlingit) health networking and learning meeting will be held virtually, from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 16, by way of Zoom.
The purpose of the meeting is to spark partnerships and to promote cross sector collaboration, learning and networking.
For information go to sitkahealthsummit.org. If interested in joining the meeting, contact Amanda Roberts at amandar@searhc.org for the Zoom meeting connect information.
UAS RASOR
Showcase Set
Seven students from Metlakatla, Craig, Petersburg, Sitka and Mt. Edgecumbe are finalizing the results of their year-long ocean research projects in the Rural Alaska Students in One Health Research program.
RASOR is finishing up its second year of student research and the public can attend a presentation 1-2:30 p.m. April 21 via Zoom. Register for the event at: https://rasor.alaska.edu/.
