Does it baffle you that most people in this country recognize that climate change is a threat but act as if it’s not? Do you ever wonder why climate change is the one global crisis people rarely talk about? Isn’t it strange that even clear science and convincing facts are never enough to change the mind of a climate denier? Would you like to do something about this?
If yes, consider joining us for an information session about an exciting new climate course.
The Center for Climate Protection’s eight-week course was inspired by the book Don’t Even Think About It: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Ignore Climate Change. The author, George Marshall, explains why the climate movement has failed to achieve meaningful improvement on our planetary conundrum. He describes why social norms and in-group behaviors override rationality any day of the week. And he draws lessons from a surprising source, religion, to illustrate how we can overcome apathy and denial and solve this problem.
We offered a prototype course last fall. The participants rated it highly, giving it an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Eighty-six percent of participants said the course positively impacted their motivation to take action around the climate crisis. Ninety-three percent said they feel more prepared as a climate activist after the course as compared to before.
If this intrigues you, please join us on the evening of Jan. 25 for an information session. Participants will build relationships with like-minded folks, learn basic climate science, develop skills to turn good ideas into public policy and take action on impactful statewide solutions that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
To register for the information session, go to climateprotection.org/events. You don’t need to attend the information session to enroll in the course. You can learn more about the course at climateprotection.org/climate-action-fellowship-course.
Jock Gilchrist is the assistant to the executive director at the Center for Climate Protection.
Open Mic is a weekly feature in the ‘Bohemian.’ We welcome your contribution. To have your topical essay of 350 words considered for publication, write [email protected].
