‘‘CODE RED” That’s the warning coming from the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Unless there are “immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions” we will not be able to keep climate warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade or less.

That means more melting ice, higher sea levels, more heatwaves and other extreme weather. What follows are greater impacts on food security, health, the environment, and sustainable development. Women and girls will see the greatest impact as they populate the areas that are most vulnerable.

While some may feel powerless with this ominous scene of the future, Morgan Hill AAUW members, having activism in their blood, feel empowered to take it on. From women’s suffrage, civil rights, pay equity and more, we don’t back away from a challenge.

The Morgan Hill branch is starting the ‘Climate Action Team’, with a focus on legislation that will cut carbon emissions as well as other climate areas.

With women and girls at the highest risk, how can we not take it on!

The Team will:

• get educated on the carbon and how it affects our climate
• learn about economics, new innovations, renewable energy and more
• discover how women and girls are disproportionately affected
• search out other organizations with similar goals and what they do
• learn the most effective ways to get involved
• push for legislation focused on the climate crisis

The more we learn, the more we realize that there are things that can be done and how we are able to contribute. Our reality goes from ignoring the problem because it is so daunting, to one of where we are expanding our knowledge and sharing it with others. We will be learning from the many teens involved as they share their ideas and social media skills with us.

There are only two choices: Sit back and hope someone else will fix the problem, or get involved, expand your mind, make new friends and be part of the solution.

By Margaret McCann, Climate Action Interest Group Chair