“As the current pandemic has made crystal clear; we are all connected as citizens of the earth to an unprecedented degree. The climate crisis is another example of the fact that if we don’t cooperate globally we are all doomed to suffer.”

“Artists are the gatekeepers of the truth” (Paul Robeson)

“As cultural workers we cannot/must not abdicate our responsibility as citizens. We cannot be silent. Climate change and global warming are critical issues to the future of our survival!”

“To deny climate change is to deny our children’s future. It’s as simple as that. Act Now!”

“To deny climate change now in the face of such clear evidence is the epitome of self destruction.”

“The economic consequences of ignoring the climate crisis are staggering. Economic losses from extreme weather totaled $653 billion over the past two years alone. Will solving the crisis be easy? No, but things that are worth doing rarely are. In the long run, doing the hard work of solving the climate challenge, is the only option that makes any sense.”

“Instead of using this time to educate us on how to heal and rebalance the earth, our government has continued rolling back much needed protection for the environment. Without these laws in place we will continue to struggle with the devastating reality that we face as a global community.”

“I miss taking out my thick sweaters and wool blazers in September. I miss seeing intrepid New Yorkers on cross country skis in SoHo in January. I leave New York every summer to avoid the dripping humidity. But what if there’s no escape and much of the earth feels like a Mississippi summer? Think we’ll get through by the skin of our teeth? We are the only deus ex machine in sight.”

“Mother Earth is angry. We have destroyed her beautiful balance. We have deadly wildfires year round, catastrophic hurricanes that have decimated communities and habitats. Countless species are lost forever with thousands more threatened every day. And we still don’t have clean water in the wealthiest country in the world. We must STOP our selfish abuse of our home. With education, compassion, and unity, we can (and must) make sweeping, systematic change, so there is a future”.

“We are guests of Mother Nature. And, as guests, we should act appropriately and take care of her, because she takes care of us. And if we don’t… she will take care of us. So, let’s do the right thing.”

“Climate change is such a grave and comprehensive threat that it can seem overwhelming; difficult to know how to begin confronting and correcting it. As with so many challenges, education and community are essential resources. If we face the problem together, learn about how it works and how to mitigate its danger, we are emboldened to make real, lasting, and positive reforms”.

“I think Alanis Obomsawin said it best “ When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money”.

“It’s on each of us to learn that reproductive justice, racial justice, and environmental justice are all inextricably linked. By understanding their interconnectedness, we become more effective advocates for each other, and the Earth.”

I want to have a full life on this planet. I also want to, in ten years or in the near future, feel it is safe to bring a child into this world without it feeling like I am setting them up to be doomed by global warming. The answer to whether or not I can do this lies in how we deal with the climate crisis right now and moving forward. I want to be a part of this movement to help make life on earth possible for myself and for future generations.

“The earth is our home, and it is our only home. We have no other options, and we should look upon our forests as we do our own warm beds and cozy corners. We have to protect her and care for her, in the same way that the earth does for us. If we remember that the wild meadows, the mountain peaks, and the gentle waves are just as much a part of us as our own bodies are, we can make a significant shift toward more sustainable thinking.”

“My homeland, Iran, is facing an environmental crisis. The Islamic Republic’s incompetence and mismanagement of natural resources have exacerbated climate change. Iran is now a water bankrupt country. Rivers are dying, aquifers are depleting, the soil is eroded, grasslands are deserted and forests are burning. Additionally, the judiciary and Revolutionary Guards have essentially made peaceful wildlife conservation a crime. Eight conservationists are currently serving lengthy prison terms simply for doing their jobs. Environmental injustice anywhere is a threat to us all. Which makes it more crucial than ever to establish coordinated efforts to combat the global climate crisis.”

“Clean water/clean air/ electric cars/solar power - a healthy planet. It can be done.”

“The environmental crisis is the existential threat of our time. If not addressed with bold, and admittedly difficult action now, we may pass a threshold from which, once crossed, we may never return.”

“We ought to trust science and science tells us that we need to act now.”

Photo - Stefania Rosini

Here is a quote attributed to a member of the Cree Nation, which I learned from Joseph Campbell. It always stuck with me - we seem to be daily turning it into a scarily accurate prediction: “When the last tree is cut down, the last river poisoned, the last fish caught, then only will the white man discover that he cannot eat money”.

“It’s gob smacking how many soulful, generous, and decent human beings are ignorant enough to have no idea what their investment dollars are doing to destroy the environment. Wake up!”

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our lives, but together we can meet it and create a better world for all.