ACTION SHEET: The Secret to Causing the Change We Want To See

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We know the change we need: a transformation of our economy from dependence upon dirty fossil fuels to clean energy and natural climate solutions that provide what people need and maintain our Earth’s environment for future generations. It’s a massive scale of change that requires mobilization of everyone at every level of government, business and society. We’ve done it before with the New Deal during WWII, and right now we need nothing less than this total mobilization. Americans want clean energy and action on climate change, because it’s good for our climate, economy and humanity. But the forces that be are working against us. So what can we do?  We have to all know exactly what’s going on all the time and make sure our voices are heard, and throw our weight wherever we can to cause the change. But that sounds really hard, right? Actually, it’s totally possible.

Join a community organization you trust that is already involved, that is working to change the status quo, and is independent of entrenched, legacy industries that are fighting against the needed change for their own benefit. Your main responsibility here is to ensure that the organization you throw your support behind is watching out for climate, economy and humanity, and not sacrificing lives or nature for some big business profit or narrow, exclusive goal. There is no acceptable level that in any way shape or form damages human life or our natural ecosystems in the name of human development, or is exclusive or discriminatory. This is the old way that has gotten us into the predicament we’re in now, with runaway climate change and rampant inequality.

In Illinois, the Clean Energy Jobs Act was developed in partnership with more than 100 organizations representing communities, businesses, and constituents across Illinois. These organizations, made up of caring individuals with their own certain expertise are part of this effort, are contributing their time and attention in order to iron out the many important and complicated issues. Each participating organization must affirm norms that ensure adherence to the principles of protecting the climate, economy and humanity in order to participate in the effort. Every individual doesn’t need to know the level of detail. But you need to throw your weight behind those organizations doing that work. They are doing the work that needs to be done by everyone, and you contribute by supporting them. They, in turn, will keep you up to date on important issues and let you know what you can do to make a difference. Everyone must participate in this way, or we’re not going to get to the level of buy-in, to the very tippy-top levels, that are required for the scale of change at this moment in time. This way, you are staying informed, exercising your power and responsibility, and taking back control of the situation. Get involved right now! Each of the websites below offer ways to find organizations you can get behind.