Dear Friend,

Post COP26, what next? The most optimistic reviews of the Glasgow Climate Pact are lukewarm. We need a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and the pact doesn’t come close. We may have kept 1.5C to stay alive, but only as a dream. The US is doing better, we’re on a path where 50% by 2030 is possible, if our democracy holds up. So, what to do now? Most continue to look to problems we have largely solved — policy and technical solutions. Some (here, and here) look at it as a social issue — a lack of public support and political resolve for solutions. At ecoAmerica we’re in the latter camp, and we realize that losing the climate battle is losing the democracy and justice battles too. Now’s a good time to reflect on how we should move forward.

Find the resources available and learn what ecoAmerica is doing to advance public support and political resolve in this November eUpdate.

The American Psychological Association and ecoAmerica are pleased to offer the 2021 edition of Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Inequities, Responses. This report shares the latest and best knowledge on the many ways that climate change impacts mental health individually and community-wide, how structural inequities cause certain populations to be impacted first and worst, and the spectrum of solutions available to build resilience, strengthen care, and inspire engagement for transformative progress.

A growing number of us are experiencing the health impacts of climate change, and as a result, people are looking for guidance on solutions from trusted leaders in our daily lives. That is why ecoAmerica’s Climate for Health program is offering training that will equip health and other leaders with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and resources to speak and act confidently on climate change and solutions from a health perspective. With this new online and on-demand training, and a cohort of like-minded leaders, leaders will be able to engage their community, the public, and policymakers to inspire climate solutions that help protect the health and wellbeing of our families and communities. Find out more and register to take this four-hour training, today!

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2022 is looking for effective and innovative programs that are mobilizing Americans and building public support to act on climate in ways that are just, inclusive and equitable. Does this sound like you or someone you know? Nominations are due 12/1, applications are due 12/15! $175,000 in awards.

American Geophysical Union’s Thriving Earth Exchange and ecoAmerica are thrilled about our new partnership to support projects that help communities respond and adapt to the impact of climate change on public health, the environment, and infrastructure. Looking for a scientist to help you with your climate program? Read on!

American Forests reminds us, “healthy forests are our most efficient, inexpensive, and natural systems to combat climate change.” On December 9 at 2 pm ET, find out from Joe Fitzgerald of Milwaukee Water Commons what you can do to make your community more sustainable and climate-resilient and how the Branch Out Program is being used to advocate for some of the most vulnerable neighborhoods in Milwaukee.

Just in Q4 of 2021, we saw the launch of the Sao Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health, The Lancet Countdown 2021 report, and COP 26. Join this special episode of Let's Talk Climate, co-hosted with the Planetary Health Alliance, to find out what these initiatives mean for our neighborhoods and communities, and how we can use these frameworks for bold action in 2022.

Over 61 million Americans have a disability and more than 1 billion do world-wide. Yet climate justice circles typically don’t include a disability perspective. This is why we are thrilled that the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a national, nonprofit network of university-based centers and programs in every state and territory working to advance policy and practice for people living with disabilities and their families, is now partnering with ecoAmerica through their Climate for Health program. 

To reach agreements set forth at COP, it has been acknowledged that we must rapidly transition away from oil and coal and to clean energy. The United States issued statements conveying ambitious climate intentions. Ensuring we meet these goals requires support from the American people. Find out what Americans think about multiple sources of energy in our latest volume of the American Climate Perspectives Survey.

The National Indian Health Board (NIHB) and Climate for Health are partnering throughout November for National Native American Heritage Month to amplify Tribal leadership on climate solutions. Read the first blog in the series from Mattie Curry, MPH, Public Health Policy and Programs Coordinator at NIHB.

• COP26 climate deal calls for historic shift from fossil fuels, Axios
• What the Big Glasgow Deal Really Achieved: COP26 Daily, Bloomberg
• Karine Elharrar: Boris Johnson apologizes to Israeli minister who couldn't attend COP26 due to wheelchair access issue, CNN
• Effort to Reframe Climate Change as a Health Crisis Gains Steam, New York Times