Dear Friend,

It looks like we will come up short on climate solutions in Build Back Better and COP26. But, as clean energy costs decline and climate disasters accelerate, public demand for climate solutions is at record levels. 63% of Americans, and 89% of Democrats say the President should declare a National Emergency if congress can’t get the job done. It’s time for all of us to double down on climate solutions and advocacy. Find the resources available and learn what ecoAmerica is doing to advance public support and political resolve in this October eUpdate.

Apply today or nominate a colleague! The American Climate Leadership Awards recognizes 30 individuals, organizations, and local climate heroes who are making extraordinary efforts to mobilize a diversity of Americans to fight climate change and model winning solutions. The winner will take home $50,000 for their efforts, and the runner-up will be awarded $25,000. Each of 8 finalists will receive $10,000. For the first time this year, 20 semi finalists will take home $20,000 ($1,000 each) in cash awards to recognize their work.

The American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica are pleased to present Mental Health and Our Changing Climate, a report publishing on November 4 that chronicles the impacts of climate change on Americans’ mental health and psychological well-being and provides guidance and resources to act and advocate. The report builds on the celebrated 2017 edition to include the latest research and expanded sections on populations disproportionately impacted, climate anxiety, and a spectrum of solutions. Join us on November 4 to hear the major findings of this report from the authors and to preview the action steps for communities, individuals, practitioners, and policymakers.

Watch a powerful Let’s Talk Climate conversation with Evangelical Lutheran Church in America leaders Vance Blackfox, Tracey DePasquale, Ruth Ivory-Moore, and Larry Ryan. Learn about adopting bold climate policies and actions that match the urgency of the climate crisis and how you can get involved.

From infectious disease to preventing strokes, doctors are constantly trying to stay ahead of the next big health risk. But what happens when the climate starts making patients sick, too? How can modern medicine approach a problem as big as climate change and what could it mean for patients? In this episode of Let’s Talk Climate, we dig into these questions with Dr. Eric Balaban and Sarah McWilliam.

ecoAmerica is once again featured in the National Environmental Health Association’s Journal of Environmental Health with the article “Local Action, National Impact'' now available in the October 2021 issue. Effective environmental health initiatives are often meaningful and bring benefits to organizations and communities. The article explores these benefits which are often unrecognized by their beneficiaries and rarely shared with broader audiences.

In July, ecoAmerica’s Path to Positive Communities partner Growing Climate Solutions of Southwest Florida teamed up with Robbie’s Tree Fund and other community groups to plant trees in Habitat for Humanity’s Whittaker Woods community in East Naples. In just a few hours, the volunteers successfully transferred nearly 70 Florida-friendly tree saplings from small to larger pots that will allow them to reach 6 to 8 feet — suitable for planting by early summer of 2022. Enhancing the canopy of Florida-friendly native trees is important for providing cooling shade, removing carbon dioxide and particulate matter from the air, stabilizing the soil, restoring habitat, and naturally purifying rainwater as it flows through their root systems — all for minimal care or cost.

ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow partner, The United Church of Christ, and Climate for Health partner, the American Public Health Association, are hosting a virtual celebration of the 30th anniversary of the first National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit on Thursday, October 28 at 7 pm ET. The event, “Environmental Justice: From the Grassroots to the White House” will feature federal administration officials, leaders who were at the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit 1991, and youth leaders today to reflect on the past 30 years, and where the environmental justice movement is headed. You can watch footage from the 1991 Summit and review the 17 Principles of Environmental Justice, which were put forth as part of the Summit, before the discussion. 

ecoAmerica and Thriving Earth Exchange are partnering to support the Climate for Health, Blessed Tomorrow, and Path to Positive networks in finding opportunities to connect with technical experts and support community-led decision-making for climate solutions. Explore the benefits of partnering with Thriving Earth Exchange and Apply by December 1 to be considered for a new cohort of community science partnerships in January 2022.

October is Children’s Health Month, and our Climate for Health program is featuring stories from partners, Ambassadors, and our broader network on the Climate for Health blog. Hear from the Children’s Environmental Health Network, Healthy Babies Bright Futures, and more. And make sure you’re subscribed to the Climate for Health blog so you get these updates straight to your inbox.

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