This Time It's Not Aliens. It's Real.

By Karen and Erica

We need to save our planet. Yes, that means you too.

We all tremble when we think of the peril facing Earth. Climate psychologists like Renee Lertzman speak about how people become paralyzed when faced with threats that are too large to process. We feel it is impossible to do anything, so we do nothing.

We have all had that feeling, but we all need get over it.  We are facing an existential threat, our children are petrified, and we need to get to work.

Those of us who are Boomers grew up trying to make changes where we saw danger or injustice. Racism. Sexism. War. What could any individual do about big problems like these? Marching on Washington—and voting—seemed like the only possibilities. And they did have some effect.

This threat is bigger—more like the alien attack on Independence Day. In the movie, the leaders of the world unite to prevent aliens from destroying the earth. What is happening today is equally dangerous—but this is no movie and the leaders of the world are far from united. Indeed, many of them seem half asleep. What can we do?

As we see it, this time there is actually more we can do. Especially those of us who have finished our first careers. We have talents and experience that could help.

To begin with, remember that those of us who have been around a while have solved more problems than those who have not, so we’re better at it. Use your problem solving chops. Now. And don’t forget that while the younger run faster, the older know the shortcuts. This is your critical value.

Figure out how your core competences could be used.

• If you are a scientist or other techie, figure out how to make carbon go away. Gather a group of other scientists and techies and brainstorm. Hard. Hook up with younger experts. Together you can perform wonders. (Look at the thinking behind this Brooklyn park just to give you hope.) And you must, because you are on the front lines.

• But hard scientists are not the only ones who can help. Are you a social scientist, or social worker, or activist? How can you motivate people to get involved? Either to help solve the problem or to put pressure on our government to start moving fast. Share your strategy online or speak to someone influential.

• Are you a communicator? Start communicating, any way you can, about climate change. Are you comfortable writing about science? Can you do a podcast with a scientist? Can you write an op-ed? Can you make a YouTube video? 

• Are you an activist? Join the young people who are protesting. Remember when you protested? Show them you are by their side. Help them be effective.

• Are you religious? Ask your church or synagogue or mosque or ashram to get involved.

• Are you wealthy? Give to politicians who get it, and to scientists who need your money. 

• Are you in finance? Invest in the financiers pcocused on limiting carbon emissions.

• Do you eat? Eat wisely. If you waste food, stop. Figure out a way to use all of it. Or compost it.

The point is, according to a lot of the things we read, we need to figure out a plan and get it done within a decade. That’s not a lot of time. We’ve faced deadlines before. But this is going to be hard.

And while we’re at it, let’s mobilize everyone. Go on Facebook with your ideas, and use the hashtag #GreenShortcut. Let’s see what we can do. We’ve done it before. Let’s do it again.