There is, of course, no time to waste (and yet we as a society do) in the face of our climate emergency. I increasingly believe that those of us who survive are all going to be refugees someday — of war, of climate, or of war because of climate. That’s already happening in many places.
In the meantime, I pray for miracles, leadership, technology and truth* — and I keep doing what I think is helpful.
Below is my criteria for city leaders in a changing world (written so many years ago). I think it’s more relevant than ever.
After disasters (storms, school shootings, road violence), I always plant seeds, which they say is the ultimate act of faith in the future. And so that’s what I did after Hurricane Ian in Florida yesterday.
I traveled car-free to my Sharing Garden at a refugee community garden in the most diverse square mile in the USA. I didn’t have the emotional capacity for the deadly three-mile ride to my local train station — always the worst part of the trip, and worse when I am on my bike-of-choice (my road bike Attica) and without that damn #BikeNoodle (which I don’t need elsewhere and thus don’t bring on these days) — so I took two buses instead and then rode my bike (as usual) 12 miles round-trip from one bike-friendly(ish) place to another (see numbers 7 and 8 on this list of free tours). Waiting time was up to an hour for the second bus on both the trip there and the trip home, by the way. In a major metropolitan area. During rush hour.
The buses are so lovely, however, once you get on them. Clean. Comfortable. Every single one equipped with a bike rack on the front. See my bus driver Anthony show you how to load your bike (filmed during the weekend I did the PeopleForBikes Instagram takeover on Ridespot). See more MARTA tips (and much more) here.
The people who ride the bus are kind. I needed that — a reminder of the goodness of humanity. I also read a (stunningly gorgeous) goat book while waiting and riding the buses, in preparation for the WWOOFing I’ll be doing soon in order to learn more skills and bear witness to the impacts of our climate crisis on our sustainable food supply nationwide. I’ve never taken care of goats. I will, soon. (I did make cheese during the cheese month in my Bucket List book, however. That book is very funny, if you need a lighter look at things.)
See a selection of posts since 2009 below about climate disasters. Oh, and this, from yesterday:
Related posts:
How to Choose City Leaders for Our Changing World
A Simple Question (or So I Thought)
A Prayer that the Sun Will One Day Shine Again
Wringing My Hands with a Worry I Never Had Before
A Story with a Twist and a Plea for a Plan
Note: I am always researching relating to our climate crisis — specifically about Miracles, Leadership, Technology and Truth. If you have a recommendation for a person, company, organization or municipality to feature, please contact me for consideration. *(No branded sponsorships.)
I may also do some updates on posts and articles I wrote years ago about companies and cities proclaiming their triple-bottom-line sustainability commitment to see where they’re at now. Greensburg, Kansas, for instance (following their devastating tornado, in an article I was hired to write for Urban Farm magazine). Maybe I’ll put that on my upcoming cross-country route . . .
Also, big thanks to these folks for all they do. Maybe I’ll circle back to some of them as well.
Traveling at the Speed of Bike 