Steve Schlather is retired from careers in daily newspapers as a reporter and copy editor and from doing outreach and education for recycling and waste reduction. He is the leader of the Springfield, Ohio chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Listen to Nancy’s interview with Steve Schlather on YouTube
The climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe says the most important thing we can do about climate change is to talk about it – bring up the subject of our changing planet in everyday conversation. If we don’t talk about something, no one realizes that other people like them are concerned about that issue.
I try to follow that advice. So, if someone asks me what I’ve been up to, I’ll often remark that I’m spending a lot of my time working on climate advocacy through Citizens’ Climate Lobby, then wait to see how the other person responds. Usually, their reactions fall into one of three categories:
1. Someone who quickly changes the subject or gives me a blank look, like I just said I’m learning to juggle weasels. These are people who don’t understand how serious climate change is and/or don’t want to think about it.
2. Someone who launches into a recitation of what they’re doing about climate change or what the real solution is. These are people who understand the gravity of the situation and are trying to respond to it. (This is a small group.)
3. Finally, some people ask me questions, such as “what is Citizens’ Climate Lobby?” or “does advocacy really make any difference?” These are folks who have some sense that the changing climate is a threat to people they love but are what to perplexed about what to do.
The folks in category 3 are the ones I really focus on, because they have a feeling they should be doing something to address climate change, but don’t know what would be effective. Citizens’ Climate Lobby exists for people like this, people very concerned about the changing climate, but unsure how they can make a difference. CCL brings people together to work on the climate issue, provides training and support, and identifies promising legislation to advocate for. When you join CCL, you get a variety of action items that you can do on your own or with others. These range from easy, quick things like making a phone call to longer things like tabling for two hours at a festival to really challenging efforts like planning a months-long campaign to influencing office holders. You decide what works for you and get involved in working for more sustainable society.
If you want to learn more about CCL, here’s a few options:
1. Explore the CCL website (citizensclimatelobby.org) to learn more about our approach. You can find your local chapter by going to the “About” tab and scrolling down to chapters.
2. A 45-minute informational session to introduce newcomers to CCL is held on Zoom every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. Sign up and get the Zoom link on the website by going to the “Take Action” tab, scrolling over to “Get Started” and down to “Informational Session.”
3. If you want to learn more about the Miami Valley CCL group, email me at sschlather@sbcglobal.net. If you get involved with our group, you’ll meet some dedicated, thoughtful people who are also good company.
4. One quick way to see our group in action is to join the Thursday evening Laser Action Call, at which we meet on Zoom, take one or two simple actions, and end by 7:15. Here’s the Zoom link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89566741720?pwd=ZHI3NXErWVBKY1RCa0xpK05mdW5MUT09