Have you been told that in order to help address climate change you should…
-Buy a hybrid car?
-Use eco-efficient light bulbs?
-Install solar panels on your home?
But what if you’re a college student like me who doesn’t drive cars or own a home? Outside of these conventional measures, is there anything you can do to take meaningful action to address climate change? Can you still be a part of the solution?
The answer is yes! You can make a difference right away through service–specifically in volunteering to build and strengthen resilience against climate change. As we begin to witness record-breaking heat, more frequent and intense storms and rising sea levels, communities everywhere must invest in durable infrastructure and smart mitigation plans. These actions will help cities, towns and villages to become more resilient, meaning that they will not only be able to withstand the physical impacts of climate change, but will also be able to rebound and grow stronger and more capable as a result of sustainable planning.
But these communities, and particularly those that are most imminently at risk, such as those in coastal and urban areas, cannot do it all on their own. Through the spirit of volunteerism, students and recent graduates who want to act on climate can do so by helping communities strengthen their resiliency to ensure that residents and leaders are better prepared to manage the risks. What’s more, service opportunities are primed for students and college graduates because they can help them develop confidence and build leadership skills before entering the workforce. While scientists may not be able to predict exactly where the next big storm will hit, strengthening resilience through service can ensure communities are well informed, prepared and adaptable in the face of a changing climate. Below are just some examples of some of these service opportunities:
Resilience AmeriCorps
The White House, along with Cities of Service, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service recently announced 10 cities selected for Resilience AmeriCorps (courtesy of citiesofservice.org)
As part of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, Resilience AmeriCorps seeks to build resilience in vulnerable communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. The two-year pilot program will deploy AmeriCorps VISTA members to ten cities nationwide to help address existing economic or health-related challenges while also helping them better prepare against extreme weather events and other climate-induced stresses. The July 2015 announcement reflects the Administration’s increasing attention to resiliency by improving preparedness and ensuring long-term sustainability. To apply or learn more about AmeriCorps and its new pilot program visit: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
Habitat for Humanity
Students involved in a Habitat for Humanity project (courtesy of Flickr)
You may have heard about this non-profit organization through its engaging outreach efforts on college campuses and in communities nationwide. Habitat for Humanity is another great opportunity to help build resilience particularly in communities already hit hard by a natural disaster. By focusing on home building and renovation, Habitat aims to help families in need of affordable and durable housing to ensure that they can physically and emotionally withstand another disaster. Its work in historically vulnerable urban areas such as New Orleans is notable, particularly since Hurricane Katrina inundated the city and many of its poorest residents. If you are interested in connecting with Habitat through your own community or college campus and like to do hands-on work, find you local Habitat at http://www.habitat.org/.
Citizens Climate Lobby
600 volunteers gathering on Capitol Hill for the Citizens Climate Lobby Conference in June 2014 (courtesy of Flickr)
Not sure what specific community you want to work in? Passionate about the environment and politics? If so, then consider joining the Citizens Climate Lobby, a non-profit organization that works with elected local and federal officials to get the most pressing climate issues on the political agenda. CCL empowers citizens to connect with and influence policymakers by rounding up political support and engaging policymakers in climate action. The non-partisan grassroots organization seeks to bring citizens and politicians together by lobbying, making phone calls, and publishing articles and making presentations. If you want to go beyond just one community and help strengthen resiliency for a swath of areas through policymaking, then CCL may be the right opportunity for you. To learn more visit CCL’s website at http://citizensclimatelobby.org/
Although service opportunities are great ways for students and college graduates to act on climate, it is important to note that many people, while interested, may not have the time or the finances to formally volunteer. If this is the case, no worries! You can still make a difference simply by having conversations among community members about the impacts of climate change and identifying areas you may believe to be especially vulnerable. A key element of strengthening resilience and adapting to climate change lies in the willingness to promote well being and foster cohesion among community members so that we are all aware and capable of managing the risks. So sure, you can make sure that your future car or home will be energy efficient, but if you are a college student and you want to make a difference now, go out and get involved in a community either on your own or through a service program. Community-based actions will be much more impactful, engaging and rewarding because they will ensure than we are not only protecting ourselves against climate change, but each other as well.