Winter brings cold and discomfort and ushers in beauty and change

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the Earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”   –Rachel Carson

This year we are looking ahead to four years of a new federal administration. Trump and his team are likely to roll back federal environmental tax credits, pull the US from the Paris climate accord, and relocate and restructure the EPA. Happy New Year. 

People are uncomfortable–not just because of the emotional toll of living in a time of climate collapse, but physically uncomfortable. 2024 was the hottest year ever. The hottest year on record before 2024 was 2023. In fact, 2024 will be first year over 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than the pre-industrial period. 1.5 C was the magic number scientists hoped we could stay below to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Every bit of additional warming matters, and causes temperature and precipitation extremes. 

When Bill McKibben spoke at North Chapel in Woodstock in Spring 2024, he encouraged attendees to reach beyond their limits. McKibben, who has been arrested multiple times at climate protests, said the following: “not everybody has to go to jail, but everybody has to figure out how to get outside their comfort zone some and push.”

In this New Year, I encourage you to do the climate work that is so necessary. What are you good at? What brings you joy? Are you experienced in public speaking, raising money, creating websites, making art? Focus your energy there, and find other people working towards the same goals. Things may get uncomfortable, but I find it helpful to remember that, when we are part of strong community, we have the strength and support to face discomfort. 

For our part, Sustainable Woodstock will continue our climate leadership in 2025, empowering our community to be resilient and act in the face of climate change. We will expand our efforts to educate, advocate, and mobilize our community, but we can’t do it alone. We invite you to join us and embrace discomfort as a call to action.