Robert Redford Demands Climate Action
Robert Redford, long-time environmental activist and NRDC Trustee is going to Paris this December for the international climate conference COP21.Â
A father, grandfather, and environmentalist, Redford draws our attention to how climate change is transforming our world and explains that conditions will worsen if we don’t act. Urgent response is needed, he says, “to protect the most important thing in the world—our children’s future.”Â
Climate change intensifies extreme weather. It’s driving sea level rise and causing more torrential rain. This year, homes across the U.S. from Texas to South Carolina were damaged by costly floods and residents were forced to temporarily evacuate. In small island nations like Kribati, people are facing similar displacement—but theirs is often permanent. Sea level rise is forcing them to look for new places to live and raise their families.Â
Climate change threatens our health. Higher temperatures worsen ground-level ozone smog that threatens respiratory health, especially for the 300 million people with asthma across the globe. And the one in 10 American kids who suffer from asthma attacks. Burning fossil fuels is one of the primary factors contributing to climate change. In the United States, power plants emit about 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide each year. We need more clean energy powered by wind turbines and solar farms and less dirty emissions from fossil fuels that make people sick.Â
Climate change threatens food security. Rising temperatures exacerbate drought conditions. Without adequate water, fields yield fewer crops, and food prices go up. This makes it more difficult for families to attain the proper nutrition they need. At current climate change rates, the world will have 24 million more malnourished children by 2050.Â
Despite the immense challenge of climate change, hope persists. People around the world are stepping up.Â
Last year in September, 400,000 people marched to raise awareness about climate change in the streets of New York City. More than 2,600 similar events in over 160 countries also took place in 2014. Momentum continues to grow. More countries are shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy. And everyone can take part in solutions for a cleaner climate and healthier world.Â
Join NRDC and Robert Redford in demanding climate action.Â
As he says, “This may be our last chance.”Â
Photo of Paris by Moyan Brenn via Flickr.com.