On January 20, a coalition of 17 organizations throughout Montana convened in Helena, centering local weather tales and motion on the Capitol’s very first Local weather Advocacy Day. The rally drew over 300 attendees from all through the state, together with Billings, Livingston, the Flathead, Butte, Bozeman, and Missoula.
Singing songs and welcoming audio system from across the state, we gathered to have a public dialog about local weather change in one in all our most necessary public areas–our state authorities.
The day included household pleasant actions, data classes, time to watch legislative classes, and a rally that includes 13 wonderful audio system from throughout the state. You may watch the full rally courtesy of Helena Civic TV on their web site.
Attendees, audio system, and coalition members on the rally illustrated the methods they’re experiencing flooding, wildfires, drought, heatwaves, and different local weather impacts firsthand. Additionally they spoke to their visions of a greater future, the place the dignity and price of all individuals is acknowledged and guarded; the place good jobs and localized, clear vitality economies are the norm; the place communities are wholesome, linked, and secure from excessive climate and air pollution.
Gwen Lankford, President/Proprietor of Sapphire Methods, Inc. and rally speaker remarked, “I really feel so hopeful. In our Indigenous pathways there’s truly so many solutions for the long run. In our language there’s embedded reciprocity, there’s mutual respect for the whole lot, there’s a being-ness for the whole lot in our language…I need to invite you right into a pathway of reciprocity and one of many easiest methods to try this is expressing gratitude…If you specific gratitude it implies that no matter you might be grateful for is effective.”
Gwen’s daughter, Cecelia, added, “Fill your coronary heart not with hate, not with dominion, not with the need to crush others to attain your individual targets, however with love. Say thanks. Have a look at the individuals round you and say thanks to them. Fill your self with gratitude. Stroll ahead with gratitude and love.”
We at Households for a Livable Local weather are so grateful to be a part of this coalition and the motion for a wholesome, secure, equitable, and resilient residence for all Montanans. That is the way forward for local weather motion in Montana: An enormous and numerous coalition response to a worsening disaster that threatens our households, livelihoods, and life methods. A grassroots effort that promotes collaboration towards a clear vitality future, and a thriving future for all individuals and different beings in our state.
Regardless of the various challenges this motion faces (together with the flurry of local weather-destructive payments proposed this legislative session and NorthWestern Vitality’s rising reliance on fossil fuels), we’re hopeful that Montanans can come collectively to make sure sturdy protections for our individuals and residential. Montanans are prepared and the time is now for a simply transition to scrub vitality.
We should keep engaged and heed Anne Hedges (Coverage Director of Montana Environmental Info Heart) to stay united, loud, and chronic!
Sustain-to-date with coverage data and motion alerts this legislative session by following MEIC, Northern Plains Useful resource Council and Ahead Montana. One other method so as to add your voice and construct local weather momentum is by speaking about local weather change and sharing your story.
Our Montana Local weather Tales challenge is an effective way to have interaction, amplify local weather impacts and options, and construct neighborhood for local weather motion in Montana – submit your story by February 27 for a particular characteristic and probability to obtain $100 right here.
Go to livableclimate.org for extra methods to have interaction in local weather motion and to join with different mother and father, caregivers, and neighborhood members working towards a livable future for all.
Sarah Lundquist is the Communications Director and Winona Bateman is the Government Director of Households for a Livable Local weather.
