In 1775, our brave Minuteman gathered in Lexington to begin a revolution to become independent of British rule by demanding representation and self-governance.
In an escalating climate crisis whose impacts are increasingly impossible to ignore, it is time to unequivocally rally to meet the climate challenge head-on both in our private lives and through aggressive advocacy for local, state, federal and global initiatives.
In 1775, the colonists took bold action for change. Similarly, it is time for us to take decisive action to face the climate emergency with a revolution to stop burning fossil fuels, create a clean, dependable, renewable energy grid, and protect our natural bio-diverse systems that make our planet a safe and clean home for us all.
I asked my 11-year old grandson Gabriel, what he thought were the similarities of the American Revolution and Climate Change. He answered in both cases people were looking to make a big change, And when I asked him what they had in common in terms of that change, he said “ch-ching.” I agree with him. The revolutionaries of 1775 challenged an entrenched system that prioritized the wealth and power of the few over the well-being of the many.
Today’s climate crisis also demands we challenge powerful interests—the fossil fuel industry, unsustainable economic models, and patterns of consumption that enrich some while threatening our collective future. We need revolutionary ideas such as a decarbonized infrastructure, regenerative agriculture, circular economies and equitable governance.
The climate revolution is a global effort. We must continually work on reversing the damage that has already been done and we must take action to protect our ecosystems by reinvigorating healthy communities of forests, oceans, rivers, and flora and fauna. We must anticipate and mitigate all future effects of climate change so we, our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have a liveable planet.
This is a revolution we can not lose.
– Ricki Pappo, LexCAN Chair