Houston Chronicle Sunday

‘Courage’ highlights bright spots in fight against climate change

- By Mary E. Regan

Courage: the ability to do something that frightens one. In Chapter 1 of “Climate Courage” (Beacon

Press), author Andreas Karelas quotes Kate Marvel, a climate scientist, who says, “We need courage, not hope, to face climate change.”

We are in an era of major change, which can be scary. However, what is more concerning is losing our quality of life if we do not begin to really confront the climate issue, and soon. Yet Karelas is excited nowadays — and one reason is that clean-energy jobs are the fastestgro­wing sector of the economy.

“Climate Courage” is a smartly crafted read that is easily accessible, with a hopeful message highlighti­ng the bright spots in this fight. A lot of ground is covered in the book, and it is timely given a new administra­tion strongly focused on tackling the climate crisis and its push for cleanenerg­y jobs through its infrastruc­ture bill.

A bipartisan issue

At the outset, Karelas says the climate fight is not a left or right issue and that most U.S. citizens view it similarly, with over twothirds of Americans understand­ing that climate change is real and caused by humans. What’s more, 85 percent of citizens want 100 percent clean energy and for their elected officials to take action on this critical issue. Eighty-five percent —not many issues these days have that many sharing the same opinion.

The book lays out some key points reminding us not to give up and that the climate issue is about humanity, as the clock is ticking. We all see the weather changes and the impacts on the environmen­t worldwide. Karelas says we need to come together and empowers us through our shared values of wanting to protect the environmen­t while also helping the economy through even our own local efforts.

An example of such an effort is the author’s nonprofit. Karelas is the founder of RE-volv.org, a cleanenerg­y leader that helps get solar energy into nonprofits in neighborho­ods across the country. That work is implemente­d by its ambassador program of college students and others, helping to substantia­lly lower the electric bills of the nonprofits it assists.

Embracing clean energy

“Climate Courage” essentiall­y says we need to embrace clean energy. Karelas cites five of the top six companies in America have already invested in clean energy without government support. This, despite the infrastruc­ture bill being fought by a handful of fossil-fuel companies. More forward-thinking companies see long-term savings in clean energy.

Karelas says this is America’s chance to lead the world in cleanenerg­y technology, which could spur major growth in some 2 million high-paying union jobs. He also says we will get to 100 percent clean energy and, when we do, there will be $1 trillion in annual savings for people in their energy bills. Already, two cities are 100 percent clean energy powered: Georgetown and Burlington, Vt. He highlighte­d the Sierra Club’s “Ready for 100” campaign efforts, which now sees results in that one-third of Americans live in a place where they have obtained

100 percent clean-energy commitment­s by their local elected officials.

Karelas argues that a shift needs to happen in our consumer-focused society, quoting Martin Luther King Jr., who in 1967 aptly noted: “If we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.” Karelas adds: “It’s not going to be easy to change the values of our culture, but nothing of great benefit comes easily. It will be worth it. It will pay more dividends than we could ever imagine. A stable climate, a clean, healthy environmen­t. More caring for each other, more sharing of resources, more concern for the well-being of others.”

 ?? Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images ?? Maya Lin’s “Ghost Forest” art installati­on of 49 dead trees in a New York park warns of climate change. Andreas Karelas’ book showcases progress.
Timothy A. Clary / AFP via Getty Images Maya Lin’s “Ghost Forest” art installati­on of 49 dead trees in a New York park warns of climate change. Andreas Karelas’ book showcases progress.
 ??  ?? ‘Climate Courage’ By Andreas Karelas Beacon Press
248 pages, $17
‘Climate Courage’ By Andreas Karelas Beacon Press 248 pages, $17

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States