Climate is a major component of AAUW Morgan Hill’s public policy agenda.

By Suman Ganapathy

Suman Ganapathy

Microplastics were recently found in human blood for the first time, buzzed multiple news alerts on my phone just two weeks ago. Detected in the bloodstream of 17 out of 22 participants, the impact of microplastics could be serious enough to cause allergies, illnesses, and cell death, the articles stated. The unnerving news momentarily distracted me from my Community Earth Day Festival planning tasks.

However, the inspirational call to action by Margaret McCann and Margo Hinnenkamp, the Climate Action Group co-chairs of the American Association of University Women, Morgan Hill branch, a group to which I proudly belong, made me regain my focus. How easy it is to get derailed.

No matter how intimidating, it is time for each of us to make conscientious choices and protect our Earth which we share with animals and plants. How are our daily preferences impacting our planet? Are greenhouse gases caused by our penchant for convenience, consumerism, and overconsumption destined to annihilate us? Not if we act now.

We must rethink everything – our food, clothes, furniture, buildings, and cars. We must educate ourselves, our kids, and promote climate literacy. The systemic change needed to deal with climate change can only be accomplished with the cooperation of everyone. The future is in our hands, indeed.

First started in 1970 to raise awareness about climate and environmental issues, Earth Day is observed by more than a billion people in more than 140 countries every April 22. Participating in activities like environmental education, picking up trash, and planting trees to protect our planet from pollution and deforestation acknowledges the damage caused by humans while displaying the immense support across the globe for protecting our Earth and our environment, and inspires others to do the same.

In our beautiful city, AAUW Morgan Hill and the city of Morgan Hill, are hosting Community Earth Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 24, at the downtown amphitheater of the Community & Cultural Centre. This free, educational, and fun outdoor family event on a Spring Sunday is open to everyone, and we hope people will find it inspirational.

“Festivals are an excellent way to educate people with hands-on experiences highlighting the fragility of life on our planet and the importance of acting now,” said McCann.

There are exciting hands-on activities for kids to tempt adults too, like learning about our pollinator and farmyard friends from 4H, crafting with recyclables with the Young Women Leaders; experiencing the miracle of life through community gardens; participating in fun and thoughtful ‘Let’s Look At Art’ (LLAA) techniques from San Jose Museum of Art docents; and more.

Riveting booths for adults focused on protecting our planet, will be staffed by experts on a variety of subjects such as the clean water program, food rescue, carbon footprint, insidious fast fashions, electric cars, self-sustaining landscapes, grey water recycling, new recycling rules etc. We are grateful to FillerUp Shop, Valley Water, Stable Solar, Santa Clara Habitat Agency, Ford, GM, CalFire, Cutrignelli Fattoria Apiaries, Simmitri, City of Morgan Hill, MH Historical Society, AAUW, WERC, San Jose Museum of Art, Young Women Leaders, etc. for spending their Sunday with us.

A food truck with delectable bites will ensure that you won’t go hungry. Additionally, South Valley Civic Theatre’s teens will entertain us with a preview song from SVCT’s upcoming production of “Newsies.” Last but definitely not the least, prize drawings of vegetable plants, garden supplies, and AAUW T-shirts for participants promise to entice participants to attend the festival. The booths and activities will encourage them to stay.

“We don’t expect people to change everything at once. Attending the festival will give them ideas for deliberate choices and small modifications to implement,” said member Elizabeth Mandel. “If we genuinely care about the beautiful city we live in, and the magnificent planet we inhabit, it is important to choose a couple based on what you feel or care about.”

Climate is a major component of AAUW Morgan Hill’s public policy agenda. The Climate Action Group was started last year in the thick of the pandemic with an aim for members to get educated on carbon and its effect on climate, learn about the economics, latest innovations, and renewable energy, and how women and girls are disproportionately affected due to gender inequity. Then, sharing ways to get involved with the community and pushing for legislation on the climate crisis are actions we wish to accomplish. Member Sue Koepp-Baker researches and keeps the group apprised.

A CODE RED warning for human-driven global heating was issued six months ago by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Without “immediate, rapid, and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” more heatwaves, fires, higher sea levels, melting ice, and extreme weather will impact food security, health, our environment, and sustainable development.

“While some may feel powerless with this ominous scene of the future,” said McCann. “Morgan Hill AAUW members, having activism in their blood, feel empowered to take it on. From women’s suffrage, civil rights, pay equity and more, we don’t back away from a challenge.”

The more we learn, the more we realize that there are things we can do and contribute. Our reality goes from ignoring the problem because it is so daunting, to one of expanding our knowledge and sharing it with others. Get involved, expand your mind, make new friends, and be part of the solution.

Suman Ganapathy is a member of the Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women. She wrote this for Morgan Hill Life.