The Palisades Library Takes Action on Climate Change

In 2019, we can already see some of the effects of increased global warming: more floods and wildfires, stronger hurricanes and tornadoes, heat waves and droughts. But what can we as individuals do? Faced with future massive changes to our planet, it is easy to become depressed. Our country, one of the largest polluters, has not yet developed any plan for dealing with the threat. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says that we have less than 12 years to act.

The Palisades Free Library is offering an alternative to despair. The library joined the Drawdown Eco Challenge, an exciting global movement to reverse climate change. On March 21 the library hosted a meeting for those interested in doing something to counter global warming. At the meeting, the library staff showed a film on food waste and introduced the book Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming. Attendees were invited to become members of the library’s Drawdown Eco Challenge Team.

Teams received points for actions their members took to reduce carbon emissions, competing against other teams facing the same challenge, which took place between April 3 and April 24. Through the Drawdown dashboard, teams saw the cumulative impact of their actions such as eating a plant-rich diet, starting a compost pile, tracking food waste, exploring transportation alternatives, purchasing carbon offsets, and advocating for forest protection and wind energy.

Although the challenge is over, participants gained awareness about the power we each possess to make a positive change in the world. Collectively, these small sacrifices can begin to reverse the damage of our previous choices and habits. As we live into our values, we become a part of a movement that inspires others to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.

To learn more about what you can do, read the inspiring book, Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, available at the library and in bookstores.