New Year’s Resolutions
for a Climate Activist
By Barb Bingham
Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day.
This quote from E.B. White, author of “Charlotte’s Web” and other works, is frequently shared with new Citizens’ Climate Lobby members, most of whom come to the organization with a strong need to take action in this time of climate crisis. We are frequently reminded of this quote to help us keep a balanced perspective, especially as the author goes on to say: But if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it?
With a new year on the horizon, I find these words helpful as a guide for my own actions, and my resolutions for 2020:
I resolve to save the world:
1. By sharing what I am learning about the scope of our challenges, existing and emerging solutions, and supporting the work that so many others are doing, too. I will pitch in where I can, offer encouragement and financial assistance, as possible, and communicate the hope and certainty (that I really feel) for the successful outcome of our coordinated efforts.
2. By contacting my elected officials, city, state and federal, regularly, to voice my opinion on current issues and legislation, especially as it relates to confronting and solving the challenges brought on by climate change. My participation in CCL offers excellent training and support to attain this goal.
3. By continuing to reduce my own footprint. The suggestions and solutions appearing in this very column all year have been helpful and motivating. My favorites are the strategies for reducing food waste (if the world’s food waste were a country it would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter). Lisa Sadlier-Hart’s tip on organizing your refrigerator so that leftovers and the most perishable items are up front and visible is the best!! I keep a map of my designated territories on the door to remind me. My big goal, however, is to acquire an electric car. May 2020 be the year I reach that goal!
I resolve to savor the world:
1. By getting out and enjoying the beauty and magnificence of nature more often, on foot, by bike and kayak. Sitka has so far been spared the catastrophic events happening elsewhere, wildfires, floods and coastal erosion. Although warming ocean temperatures and acidification are impacting our local waters, too, I’m grateful to live in a place that continues to embody the precious world we cherish.
2. By nurturing the sense of community that comes with working with people of like mind for a common and crucial goal, looking for opportunities to overcome barriers that have long stood in our way, cultural, political, and generational, and seeking the common ground from which we can all act together to create a sustainable and flourishing future.
3. By appreciating the progress we are making, the victories small and large: the concept of a fee on carbon emissions levied on fossil fuel producers is gaining traction and solid bi-partisan support, and is widely accepted as the best first step; The Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act (HR 763) introduced in the House, and CCL’s preferred solution, adds the benefit of returning the fees (as a monthly dividend) to households to offset costs from increased energy prices during the transition to clean power; best of all, attention is more and more centered on solutions, with advancements on all fronts, from clean energy production to dealing with the enormous amount of plastic waste in our ecosystems.
If you would like to make any of these resolutions your own, a good place to start is at citizensclimatelobby.org, or at one of our monthly meetings. The next one is 8:30 a.m. Jan. 11, 2020, at the See House behind the Episcopal Church. Reading this column every Friday is also a great way to learn more about how you can be part of the solution! Thank you all for sticking with us this past year and best wishes for 2020!
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Barb Bingham is a resolute member of Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Hames Hours Set
Hames Center will be open 5:30 a.m.-5 p.m. New Year’s Eve and 1-5 p.m. New Year’s Day.
Classes on New Year’s Day include Dance Party with Jo DiGennaro or spin with Erin Matthes. Both will be held at 1 p.m. To sign up or for information call Hames Center 747-5080 or visit www.hamescenter.org.
Unlimited Class
Pass at Hames
Hames Center is offering unlimited classes in January. Unlimited class passes can be purchased now through Jan. 10 for unlimited access to all Hames Center classes Jan. 1-31.
The cost is $89 for Hames members or $99 for non-members. For information call Hames Center 747-5080 or visit www.hamescenter.org.
Unitarians Meet
Rich McClear will tell stories of New Year’s Eve at Sunday’s meeting of the Sitka Unitarian Fellowship. Gathering begins at 10:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 10:45 a.m.
Soup and bread follow at noon. The Fellowship Hall is located at 408 Marine Street, with parking behind off Spruce Street. All are invited to attend. For information, call 747-3702.
Quilters Meet
Ocean Wave Quilters will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at United Methodist Church.
A potluck precedes the meeting, at 6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to take their own tableware.
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.
Sewing Sessions
Offered to Public
Ocean Wave Quilters will sponsor an open sewing session 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, at United Methodist Church.
All are invited to attend. Irons, ironing boards, tables and chairs are provided. Lunch is a potluck.
For information call Audrey Curran at 623-0301 or Linda Swanson at 747-3471.
Renewal Vespers
At Adventist Church
The community is invited to a community renewal vespers 6:30-8 p.m. New Year’s Eve at the Sitka Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1613 Halibut Point Road.
Puppy Kindergarten
Classes at UAS
Puppy kindergarten classes for ages 6-16 weeks will be offered at UAS-Sitka Campus beginning Jan. 14. It will run 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays for six weeks.
Dog obedience and dog ability classes will follow in February.
Call or stop by UAS-Sitka Campus to register after Jan. 6, when the campus reopens.
Kayaani Panel
Has Annual Meet
Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaani Commission will hold an open annual meeting 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 at the Resources Protection Building, 429 Katlian Street.
The public is invited to attend. Agenda items include elections.
The Kayaani Commission is a group of community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they are used.
For more information contact tammy.young@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or call 747-7167.
