The Threat
Climate change is one of the most important challenges humankind faces this century. It threatens our homes, our food and water supplies, and our health. Our ability to adapt, mitigate, and reduce carbon emissions here and now directly affects the continued habitability of our world for future generations.
We need to push national governments and industries to enact policies that fight global warming — and we need to act locally too. According to UNDP estimates, more than 70% of climate-change reduction measures and up to 90% of adaptation measures are undertaken by local governments.
OE's Climate Work
OE has been active in fighting greenhouse-gas emissions — first against the Calpine plant and currently against the CPV plant in Wawayanda. We're also studying the proposed retooling of the Danskammer plant in Newburgh to determine whether new plans meet environmental best practices.
Our President Emeritus, a Climate Reality leader, has conducted community outreach and education on the climate crisis. Public events have included the November 2019 conference "Understanding and Meeting the Challenge of the Climate Crisis" and an October 2020 webinar with Climate Mama founder Harriet Shugarman on her book "How to Talk to your Children about Climate Change."
Take Action at Home
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Consume less, use more efficiently, recycle properly.
- Use public transportation over individual vehicles whenever possible.
- Switch to green energy. Contact your electricity provider about renewable options.
- Contact your representatives at every level and ask them to support climate legislation.
- Learn your footprint with an online carbon calculator and target your biggest sources.