🌱 The Grumpy Optimists #27
How much CO2 can a machine suck out of the atmosphere and how to take political action to help climate action.
Good morning all,
We hope you're keeping well, enjoyed some sunshine and you're ready for another week. We've been spending some time with family, seeing friends and appreciating the people we have this week, it's good for the soul and it helps us recharge!
Before we get into this weeks episode, we can't thank you enough for all your feedback, if you didn't get the chance last week you can do this below.
We're also looking for more people to help out with an exciting project we're working on, if you're a whiz at design, you love writing or you take great pictures, we want to hear from you! If you think you fit the bill and you want to be part of the team, send us an email to thegrumpyoptimists@gmail.com.
Right, let's get into it, shall we?
Articles to Read 👀
🇮🇸 World's largest direct carbon capture machine begins operating. The machine from the Icelandic company Climeworks will capture CO2 from the air and turn it into rock. At capacity, the plant will draw 4,000 tonnes of CO2 out of the air each year, the equivalent of 3 seconds worth of carbon emissions. The hope is the technology will scale dramatically and we need it to.
🪓 Anti-logging protest becomes Canada's largest ever act of civil disobedience. At least 866 people have been arrested since April as civilians protest against old-growth logging in western Canada and fight to protect crucial forests. The campaign and activism to save the forests on Vancouver Island have resulted in police brutality to try and disperse campaigners who have camped out for months.
🧑🔬 How climate science is supporting lawsuits to save the world. With governments failing to take enough action on climate change, activists are using courts to compel countries and companies to act and they're using science to help. Each successful case creates a precedent for more action. Law is a powerful tool in our armoury in the fight for climate action.
🚘 US proposes dramatic expansion of tax credits for electric vehicles. The proposal looks to create incentives of up to $12,500 per new vehicle to ensure EVs comprise at least 50% of U.S. vehicle sales by 2030.
What can you do about climate change? 💚
Week 5/10 of our 'what you can do about climate change' in response to the IPCC report is all about taking political action.
You might be thinking, I hate politics, or I think it's all lies. For the most part, you're probably correct, however, politics and climate change are so tightly interwoven it's almost impossible not to be political when you're talking about climate change. Everything from incentives for EVs to banning oil exploration to eating plant-based are all examples of using politics to fight climate change.
We get it, it may be daunting and scary, but it is a powerful tool for change that we believe you should have the knowledge and the resources to use it. Without further ado, here are our ‘easy’ steps you can take to get political about climate action.
Big Politics
📮 Contact your local MP
Contacting your local MP is a great start, the more they hear from their constituents, the more likely they are going to stand up and make your voice heard, it's your vote they want after all. Here is a free and easy way to send a message to your local MP. You may also want to use this template to get inspired. Send us your best letters and we’ll share them with our readers!
💪 Campaign for change
When we say campaign we don't mean go and stand on the street and shout that we need change, Extinction Rebellion and in-person protests are not for everyone. Instead, make the simple step and sign an online petition or join a local campaign. Signing a petition shows our political leaders that you care and often makes them have to talk about key issues.
Little Politics
👋 Join a local group
A great place to start is by joining your local Friends of the Earth group, we love their motto of 'local solutions to a global crisis' so much so that Will actually set up the Exeter FoE group (big up). You could also look to find local communities, perhaps you and your neighbours want to plant some trees in a local field. That we'll have to leave up to you.
🤏 Take small actions
You may want to start litter picking on your street (you'll have people thanking you) or you might want to plant some wildflowers, regardless of how small your action is, you're still engaging in a political act, caring and governing for your local area - here's a bonus picture of George litter picking on his lunch break to get you inspired! But also remember, individual actions will not change the world entirely, we need to take one of the biggest steps...
❌ VOTE!
Lastly, go out and vote! We don't want to tell you who to vote for, purely partaking is the most important part. Research what your local MP, councillors and Mayors are doing on climate change and vote for the one you believe in. One vote is a powerful voice heard.
That's all for now folks! Have a great week and why not send this to one of your colleagues or friends to read on their lunch break? We'd really appreciate it.
George, Ella, and Will 💚