We are living in unprecedented times. 2020 began with raging forest fires in Australia, blood red skies, thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, and over a billion dead animals. For many of us, this horror was quickly overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which was then eclipsed by worldwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality. There is no doubt that these three are inextricably linked.

Let’s focus on the climate crisis for just a moment. A recent article in The Guardian states: “The world has only six months in which to change the course of the climate crisis and prevent a post lock-down rebound in greenhouse gas emissions that would overwhelm efforts to stave off climate catastrophe…”.  In other words, we can’t go back to the way things were before the pandemic.

Over the next few months governments over the world will spend trillions of dollars on social and economic recovery due to COVID-19. What they spend it on will determine our economic course for years to come. Our opportunity is to make this recovery a Green and Just Recovery.

Fortunately, in Thurston County we are already in the process of crafting our own Climate Mitigation Plan, which could be a blueprint for our own Green Recovery. The plan is in its final phases and it is our responsibility to make sure it is adopted and implemented by local government.

Here are three actions you can take today to support
a Green and Just Recovery in Thurston County:

• Call or write letters to your local city and county representatives asking them to make Thurston County’s COVID-19 recovery a Green and Just recovery. 
• Sign and share our pledge and petition in support of a strong Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan. Sign up now, so we can be sure to have hundreds of voices speaking out this fall when the plan will be up for a vote with city councils and the county commissioners.
• Join a Climate Action Group

Fore more information and resources about COVID-19 Recovery as Climate Action click here!