Commit to individual actions to address climate change
Reducing my emissions of greenhouse gasses is a journey, not an event.
I’ve understood that climate change is a significant issue for decades, and I’ve worked on this issue for almost a decade. I’ve supported national and state policies to reduce emissions, and I’ve taken actions to reduce my own emissions in the past. But today I understand the broader need for each of us to commit to a path forward in our own lives that will drive our emissions down in line with the emissions targets necessary to avoid more significant impacts from climate change.
As a citizen of the United States of America, I no longer believe that our government will pass laws to drive emissions down toward zero without a significant number of our citizens already working to accomplish this goal in our own lives. If I am unwilling to commit to reduce my emissions, why would I believe elected officials will require me to take that action? And why would I assume that a government mandate or policy would get me to change behavior I will not change myself?
It is time for me to commit to reduce my emissions. And I hope you join me in this journey.
And it is time to learn how to talk about that commitment and to talk about the resulting changes in my actions in a way that helps move the dialogue in my country, my state, my city, my place of worship, my workplace, my home, and my own heart.
If you will commit to reduce your emissions, please add your name: “I commit”.
Who we are
This effort is being organized by Jim Tolbert who is convinced that we are the solution to climate change. When enough people accept responsibility to reduce the emissions we will shift markets and encourage companies to produce the low-emission goods & services we demand, and our elected officials will respond with appropriate legislation to support our shared actions. I am not suggesting we do not need legislation. In fact I believe we do need legislation to act collectively. But until enough people accept responsibility to reduce our emissions, there is no reason to think that elected members of Congress will tell us we have to. And the last 30 years of failed major programs attest to this conclusion
A bit about my path. After a career leading environmental cleanup projects for corporate clients, I switched my focus to a larger project in 2013 - addressing climate change. I took a year to evaluate organizations and in 2014 I started as a volunteer with Citizens’ Climate Lobby as a Group Leader for a new chapter in Grand Rapids, Michigan and as a Liaison. After moving to North Carolina, I joined the staff of Citizens’ Climate Lobby as the Conservative Outreach Director, a position I held for 3 1/2 years until the spring of 2021.
In 2021, I helped form Bipartisan Climate Action, a Political Action Committee focused on bipartisan support for members of Congress who are likely to be the future leaders to introduce and pass effective legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I continue to serve on it’s board.