By Kevin Majoros
A report released last month by the World Meteorological Organization revealed that greenhouse gases have risen to an all-time high of 407.8 parts per million. That means that for every one million molecules of gas in the atmosphere, nearly 408 were carbon dioxide.
Of the measured gases, carbon dioxide contributes the most to global warming and is absorbed by the oceans, lowering their pH and devastating marine life. The gas concentrations are driven by fossil fuel combustion, agriculture activities, and industrial sources. They are expected to continue to rise in the future.
The Chesapeake Climate Action Network has been fighting global warming in Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. since 2002 and has built a powerful and diverse network to inspire action regionally, nationally and in countries around the world.
Starting a Conversation through Grassroots Efforts
Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) organizes, educates and mobilizes communities and has led the charge to climate and clean energy victories in the Chesapeake region.
“The distance between what we (the population) know about climate change and what we do about climate change is huge,” says CCAN founder and director Mike Tidwell. “We try to contribute to, and if necessary, force a public debate on a variety of topics including global warming, clean energy, sea-level rise on coastal communities and environmental justice.”
Through their growing network of allies, they have helped pass strong renewable electricity laws in Maryland and D.C., a carbon cap in Virginia and greenhouse gas reduction legislation in Maryland.
Their grassroots resistance and litigation have also helped to keep at bay fracked-gas pipelines, a coal-fired power plant, and new oil train terminals. They have also worked with groups nationwide to push for a fair and effective carbon cap policy on Capitol Hill.
Taking on the Responsibility of Protecting the Planet
Mike Tidwell grew up in Memphis and considers himself lucky to have had parents who shared their love of the outdoors with him. He had always wanted to be a journalist and was content with his career in that field.
In 1989 he read the book, The End of Nature by Bill McKibben, which would be the spark that would lead to his eventual life path.
“It rocked my world and completely changed the course of my life. I spent a decade in denial, not for a lack of understanding of the greenhouse effect, but that it wasn’t going to affect me or my family,” Tidwell says. “I was mad that no one was taking action, but I wasn’t taking action either. It took me a while to find the courage to step forward.”
While building his own self-awareness, Tidwell’s personal alarm was set off by the January 2001 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which painted a disturbing future for the planet.
“I could no longer look my son in the eye, and I needed to walk away from a career that I loved,” says Tidwell. “It’s one thing to take responsibility for yourself and your family, but protecting the planet is a completely different responsibility. There is a learning curve in persuading people to change their habits or change how they vote. It’s exhausting but incredibly rewarding.”
CCAN to host the 15th Annual “KeepWinterCold” Polar Bear Plunge
The plunge is a fundraiser for CCAN and an opportunity to connect to new people on the importance of raising awareness on global warming. They will splash into the cold waters of the Potomac River at National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD on January 25, 2020.
The focal point of the community event is to continue the discussion on climate change and raise support for action to avert climate disruption, and damage to our ecosystems, marine life, and human communities.
“We take pride in being an organization that isn’t driven by philanthropic organizations and the event helps us to maintain the independence to be ourselves,” Tidwell says. “The Plunge inspires people and gives them a peak life experience. It is a perfect way for us to really talk about climate change.”
A Drowning Man Never Stops Kicking
Tidwell refers to himself as a climatarian. His diet involves choosing his food based on their carbon footprint. For him, that means no meat or fish. He is also a proponent for a carbon tax on industries that are damaging our ecosystems.
He points to the many advances we have already seen regarding changing our ways and worries whether we will get there fast enough to stop the climate crisis. One thing he maintains is hope.
“I am hopeful – you can’t do this work without hope. I can visualize a world where there is energy decarbonization, interlocking windmill farms, solar panels on buildings and plant-based agriculture. It’s a world where humanity has overcome its worst impulses and acted to fix the damage. It’s a vision that keeps me going and it is what I am fighting for. It is a great privilege to wake up every day and have the opportunity to work towards that goal.”
Follow Chesapeake Climate Action Network online.
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This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media