We’ll have a little discussion on discussions with neighbors, friends, and family, since none of those groups overlap the way they probably could these days…but that’s for another day.

After that I’ve included a bushel of F-R-E-E resources to make your home or business more energy efficient. I have worked with a few hundred utilities professionally at this point and it always boggles my mind when they share that their incentive programs are undersubscribed, along with some state ones. There is literally money being left on the table and many federal programs - yes still in existence today, so far - do not have a cap on usage. So, I’ll share some quick links and info to help you take advantage! Reduce your utility usage - for the planet - but also for your wallet!

Communicating To Communicate

For Earth Day, a collective launched a campaign with a headline that even grabbed my attention (I ignore so much “climate” news out there, even though, or because it is my day job): 89% of people globally want to see more climate action than is occurring now.

Even if the number is much smaller, the point they were making focused in on the fact that people assume others do not want to talk about climate or are not aligned with them when in fact they are not only aligned, but craving others to bring up climate.

Yale has a program that specifically studies environmental communications among the general public. An astonishing finding was that a person may need to see and hear about climate “80 times per month” to become an active supporter of significant action. While that seems like a lot, the optimistic take is the implication that anyone can be turned into an active supporter over time.

Similarly, studies have shown that it takes 10 good reviews to counteract 1 bad review of a business or product. Sociologically, it is clear that an overwhelming amount of data or communication is necessary for us to accept certain things, with positive and negative associations having a significant multiplier effect.

I recognize people from all walks of life are reading this newsletter. For those where sustainability is already “your life” or young people, hearing anything more, positive or negative, can be overwhelming and there are great resources addressing these feelings.

If much of this is new to you, or just not your focus and the term “crisis” or “emergency” doesn’t resonate with you, that’s okay. That’s why I’m here!

Even if it is not your focus, I’m working under somewhat of an assumption that you do not view climate change positively. As such, I found a recent framing by sociologist Matha Beck quite helpful. She says, “the only way we’re gonna fix the problems we’ve made with our fear-based behavior (controlling our loved ones to protect them from danger, controlling the earth) is to access the incredible capacity of human creativity.” We cannot solve problems this big out of fear.

Now I won’t pretend that I walk around with a smile every day, bubbling with enthusiasm rather than anger, but there is something to be said about these ideas. I already know that yelling at someone about any issue, especially when I am not in a position of authority, is unlikely to lead to change.

There are about 100 companies responsible for the fossil fuels that have caused climate change. This doesn’t mean we have no role to play as consumers, voters, employees, citizens, etc. However, it does shift the calculus of how to respond to the issues. In fact, the concept of the carbon footprint was created by fossil fuel companies in order to foster a sense of individual guilt and responsibility, deflecting action against the companies themselves. We may be able to drive an EV, divest our retirement from fossil fuel investments, or add solar panels to our roof, but we may also not be in a position to do so. Where we can consume less, we should, but recognize the impact of “smaller” actions and how we talk about them.

I have seen entire neighborhoods transformed when one person buys an electric lawnmower. They tell their neighbor how quiet it is and easy to use, plus they don’t need to go buy gas anymore and spill all over their garage. Suddenly the whole street has them. And it further serves as a “gateway” appliance, making someone more willing to get a heat pump or test drive an EV.

Whenever people ask me what I do and I respond “sustainability,” they either give me a funny look or ask if I am an engineer or scientist. I respect science, but I cannot emphasize enough how much it is NOT my subject. Two of my undergrad majors were in business and the majority of people I have worked with in the field also have finance or other backgrounds.

Now I absolutely need engineers to do what I do (shoutout to my sister) and the “solutions” I often work on were certainly developed by them. They are critical, but they also should not be left alone. They can fix a problem, but we need everyone from investors to educators to participate to launch the solutions they create.

Again, I am not trying to convince anyone here on climate change, but we can also educate ourselves on nuances most applicable to us and our communities. Not every hurricane is caused by climate - but they are often made worse. Same goes for wildfires. Attribution science is improving and becoming relevant to litigation, but still imperfect.

Your allergies are getting worse - or starting for those who never had them before. Flight turbulence will increase. Extremes on both ends are increasing - hot and cold. And each year is getting warmer.

We can talk to each other and start thinking about how our roles - at work, as students, as community members - might combine with the skills we have available to address climate in the broadest sense.

How Do We Sustain With Age From Here?

Steve Jobs, Elizabeth Holmes, and others wore black to remove one choice from their day: picking an outfit. While small, the mental energy involved clearly was relevant to doing “big” things.

As I am referred to as “the sustainability guy” in many people’s lives they will often confide in me or overly apologize for relatively benign actions. For example, failure to recycle one bottle when out in public and a recycle bin is not available.

I implore you to release that guilt - and not put it on me or someone else in your life - especially when we can acknowledge we live in a system that prevents us from taking actions we may want to. That is not reason to give up, surely, but we have to release some of the - again, relatively, smaller choices or problems we have.

If you have an issue you want to champion - eliminating a single use item in your life or getting your local coffee shop to allow you to bring your own cup in - go for it! If you want to dedicate your time to advocating for EVs in your company, do it, and don’t give up on any other actions, but also don’t let yourself get bogged down every time you can’t recycle.

Collectively shifting to a more plant-based diet is one of the best individual actions we can take - no you don’t all NEED to become vegan, BUT meatless Mondays, and generally reducing your meat consumption can have a major impact on your health and that of the planet - from emissions to water use.

A new colleague and friend, Lauren, recently shared a great insight gathered from therapists. She said, think of the paralysis you may feel from “small” routine actions like not doing the dishes or not putting sheets back on your bed. It may not feel like it, but in our heads, that feeling of intransigence or guilt but still not doing “the thing,” is the same as we may feel by not going to a protest, or engaging on climate or political issues.

Our internal accountability mechanism, the same one that gets people to apologize to me for their personal actions and behaviors, applies beyond the routine and climate to all kinds of social justice and other issues in our lives and society. How will we respond? That’s up to you, but also sometimes…it’s not (companies have real power) and we need to distinguish to be effective.

Peace,

Kyle