At around 10 p.m. EST, my sister and I started sending screaming gifs to each other.
We still hoped the momentum would shift and Kamala Harris would be elected president of the United States, but we were concerned. Was this really happening again?
Once it was clear Donald Trump would be president, our messages stopped. He had campaigned on mass deportations, the elimination of climate policies, tax cuts for the wealthy and corresponding cuts to essential services, and retribution to all he deemed an enemy. In the waning days of the election, Vance had called Kamala Harris “trash” and Trump had mouthed the word “bitch.” Americans knew who he was and voted for him because of it. Gifs were insufficient.
But here is what I’ve also experienced in the past week: weary folks sharing poems about kindness, exchanging promises to build community, creating space for hope alongside fear, and metaphorically putting on their boots to keep doing the good work. I want to be with the people who are looking to help.
At Cool It, we know the assignment—make the changes that will create a more sustainable future. Even before Trump’s win, the systems weren’t responding adequately to climate change. Here in Syracuse, New York, in the last 1,506 days, the city has recorded only one record low and 34 record highs. A Trump victory makes responding to climate change more daunting, but it was never an America-only game. It has always been a global endeavor and a local one. What is your school district doing (electric school buses, anyone)? What is your city doing? What is your state doing?
And here’s the to-do list: We change the systems individually and together. The small changes we make and the community we build matter. Regardless of government, we can compost, carry a mug to the coffee shop, buy used clothes, carry groceries in reusable totes, waste less food (my sin), and make art. And we can protect our own health through these changes, which brings me to my suggestion . . .
Personal Action: throw away black plastic spatulas. Yes, it goes against the ‘don’t throw away’ ethos of Cool It, and doesn’t impact climate change, but it will protect your health, which matters. It turns out that black plastic—the plastic of choice for spatulas—is largely made from electronics, and electronics are treated with flame retardants.
Why it Matters: According to the Atlantic Monthly:
Flame retardants in black kitchen utensils readily migrate into hot cooking oil. The health concerns associated with those chemicals are well established: Some flame retardants are endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with the body’s hormonal system, and scientific literature suggests that they may be associated with a range of ailments, including thyroid disease, diabetes, and cancer.
Until we change the systems—nudging the government to regulate black plastic—we can vote with our actions. Besides changing out kitchen utensils, we can avoid the black plastic in take out containers and take-out coffee lids by carrying reusable cups and containers when we go out. And this will help the environment by reducing single-use plastic.
Action to change the system: While I wish there was an easy way to ask for systems change on black plastic, I haven’t seen one yet. But what is being considered by the UN is a global plastic treaty and today, you can tell the U.N.—to hold the line against corporate lobbying. Tell the U.N. to pass a strong plastics treaty.
The Story of Stuff describes the treaty that is being considered.
175 countries are currently negotiating a legally-binding, international treaty on plastic pollution that could change the world. It’s a big deal.
It’s getting down to the wire, and there’s still uncertainty as to what we’re going to get. The question remains whether this treaty will be strong enough, or if certain countries or companies will derail the progress that could be achieved.
The Story of Stuff has made it easy for us to voice our support for a strong treaty here.
Why it Matters: Here’s how the U.N. describes the problem: “Every year 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems, polluting lakes, rivers and seas.” The U.N. knows we have to turn off the tap, but they’re being lobbied hard. Change is hard. They need people power to show that citizens want to make it happen.
Link round up
Opinion piece I’m sharing: McSweeneys, a humor site, has the best election reaction.
Books I’m reading: James by Percival Everett.
I appreciate you and am glad we're in this together.