We desperately need to change the conversation on conservation.  Climate change is somehow a very contentious political issue (n.b. in the U.S. only, a study across 39 nations found it ranked as the #1 global threat...but I digress).  The environmentalist in me finds the whole thing bananas....it's akin to having a national debate over whether smoking causes cancer.  The American Academy for the Advancement of Science has a campaign on the facts of climate change because our "national debate" is a bad sign for science at large.  And that doesn't even account for the fact that the climate change denial machine is not just using the same tactics - but the exact same people - that spent time a few decades back trying to confuse people about whether cigarettes caused cancer.  Like I said, bananas.

It's easy to find despair.  The poster child is a Republican Congressman from South Carolina who lost his 2010 primary battle because of backlash for his stance on climate change both existing and being man-made.  He was on the House Subcommittee for Energy and Environment that got "Burn Noticed" for its lack of common sense on science basics. 

But Enviro(ish) is extremely anti-despair.  I'm a believer in MLK Jr's quote that the arc of the moral universe is long, but bends towards justice.  And the first step we take is acknowledging the truth.  It's been a few years, so I checked up on that Congressman Bob Inglis, and checked in with an energy initiative in Washington D.C. led by four-star generals.  Seeing conservatives not just having discussions but taking policy action regarding climate change gives me incredible amounts of hope.  Here's the EcoPartyDownload on conservative solutions for climate change.  Yes, you read that right.....conserve IS the root for both conservation AND conservative....is it not?  (See what I did there?? Boom!)

It's exciting times!  Have you heard the news? An estimated 310,000 people marched through the heart of Manhattan on Sunday to raise awareness of the climate change crisis.  It's the largest demonstration for climate change to date in history.  Power to my peoples!

                                                   Image: ABC 7 News
Exciting as it is though, we're (still) not focused on the message.  Some of the participants were spot on, but the media coverage doesn't quite bring it home (only quotes from Sec. Kerry get it right in this entire NY Times article...he's in better, on-message company in the LA Times...look below the jump for Fox News). 

Here's the skinny. Climate change is not about the planet. Seriously.  Forget the environmental bumper sticker that says "Save the Planet"...switch it in your head with one that reads "Save Ourselves".  The planet will keep on turning.  It's the environmental systems that WE all depend on for our well-being...those are on a rapid and accelerating pathway to horrorville.  Repeat after me: caring about climate change means you care about people, especially yourself.

I know what you're thinking, climate change?  Personal?  Isn't that something that affects polar bears and not me?  Well the unfortunate answer to that is no.  It's going to affect us all directly and indirectly.  And it has already started.  [Hold the dramatic musical score for a beat....]

Climate change is a big, hairy, scary issue.  And there's a LOT of misinformation out there, which makes you think this is impossibly confusing. But don't stress!  I'm going to make it bite-sized and easy.  I love the Dinner Party Download concept, so we're running with that as inspiration. Welcome to the first installment of the Eco Party Download: "All you need to know to 'win' your eco party*...as told (mostly) with the help of your favorite celebrities."
*having or going to an 'eco party' not required

I've been talking about climate change for a decade, but the timing of this blog is impeccable. It means I get we get to hear Matt Damon talk about climate change.  There's a fantastic documentary recently out that hits the right message on the nose.  It's called Years of Living Dangerously, and uses celebrities as correspondents interviewing people's whose lives have been altered by climate change. Yes, there are many of these people, maybe even you!