Climate confessions as SPAM (please send money)

People send me stuff. Today I got a true confessions style email with an emotional tear jerker, and a telling graph for which they claim credit, something we predicted would happen years ago. Never mind the tanked U.S. economy and the switch to natural gas thanks to shale gas fracking, no, the emissions reduction is all due to these tear jerking NGO spammers who want the U.S. back to 1950 levels, and even if that is somehow managed, you can bet they still won’t be happy,

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I have a climate confession. Recently, I’ve begun to question whether we can solve the climate crisis. 

[name redacted] —

I have a climate confession: Recently, I’ve begun to question whether we can solve the climate crisis.

Deep down in my darkest thoughts, from everything I know, have read, have been told by the scientists at EDF about the growing threat, and from witnessing the unrelenting stream of dopey climate denialism in Washington, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to maintain hope. The fear that we won’t avert climate catastrophe has taken hold. And I shudder at what that will mean.

It’s a terrible and sobering notion, maybe one you’ve shared in recent years.

As a parent of a 9-year old and a 7-year old—two sweet, beautiful children who mean everything to me—I often ask what more can I do? How are we going to fix this problem? And what kind of world am I going to leave to my kids?

Then, about a month ago, in a meeting to discuss EDF’s climate strategy, a colleague of mine presented this graphic:

I had an instant reaction. This chart tells a powerful story. Over the last few years, our work really has made a difference. We have reduced America’s carbon emissions. We have altered the course of history.

For the first time in a long time I began again to feel a sense of hope…to see a path forward.

And, after discussing with the Membership team, this chart has inspired this “Climate Changing” email series we’re launching today. Between now and Earth Day, we’ll share stories and information to help you understand where we are in the fight for climate solutions…where we need to be…and how we can get there, together.

This is a serious moment. The fight to avoid climate calamity confronts us with sobering realities. While we have made progress, we have a tremendous amount of work to do. And very little time in which to do it.

It won’t be easy. But, there is a path forward—and that’s important.

You are making a difference. And I want to extend my personal heartfelt thanks for standing strong with EDF. You are helping change America and the world.

Over the next few weeks, I hope the climate solutions we’ll share will help renew our shared belief that with determination and resolve, we can still solve the climate crisis.

With gratitude and renewed hope,

Sam Parry

Director, Membership

P.S. Do you have a climate confession? Have you also felt doubt in recent years over our chance to solve the climate crisis? If so, I’d love to hear your story.