Moms

 When starting a mission to bring climate information to the public, it is difficult to figure out who cares. Since the issue of global warming has been in and out of the spotlight since the RIO Summit in 1992, climate action advocates have searched for people who care.

Seven years ago, after scouring the websites of the world’s most prestigious science organizations, and confident the global climate was in jeopardy, I looked for groups of people who might care or simply be curious. 

In June of 2015 Pope Francis published his famous encyclical, “Laudato Si, On Care of Our Common Home”.  One chapter in the encyclical was devoted to the threat of climate change. The appeal to save our planet is not just a moral plea. The pope has a highly respected assembly of scientists called the Pontifical Academy of Science. This independent and prestigious group of scientists from all regions of the world, and all religions, has the task of advising the Pope on science.  

After the encyclical was published, I approached various Catholic Churches asking if they would be interested in a PowerPoint presentation describing why the Pope was so concerned? I received no response. The Protestant Community was little better, so I switched my focus.

The next target group was winter sport enthusiasts. This group was more open to dialogue. In all honesty, I must credit a snowboarding Icon named Jeremy Jones. He started an outdoor climate advocacy group called Protect our Winters (POW). I give him full credit for getting people motivated and acting. It is evident Jeremy has more reach with his crowd than the Pope with his.

If it were not for school teachers, especially science teachers, I would have lost heart. I guess when you know physics and chemistry you know global warming. And, when you know biology, you know the dreadful consequences of climate inaction. When approaching this segment of society, it is preaching to the choir.  But if you are a climate activist sometimes you need an audience who is singing off the same sheet of music just to remain hopeful. Thank you, teachers and School Superintendents.

There is one group I failed to contact. Now there is a call out directly to them. Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist who has garnered many awards for her tireless advocacy.  In addition to being a scientist she is a devout Evangelical Christian and a mother of two. Given her commitment to science and Christ, coupled with the fact the poor will suffer terribly if the climate is allowed to run away, her logical first leverage group was Evangelicals. In my opinion, she has not been terribly successful with Evangelical Christians. I have a feeling this failure is, in a large part, due to the mesmerizing influence of the recently fired Denier-in-Chief.

Scientist Hayhoe shifted focus. When you want to get something done in America which group takes the health and well-being of our people seriously? It is the women and, even more so, mothers.

My own personal experience is men’s attention span, in general, is short unless you are talking about pickup trucks, guns, or the last football game. There are plenty of exceptions, but climate science is not on most male’s radar screens.

To confirm her hunch, that mothers might be more concerned about their kid’s climate future, Professor Hayhoe contacted five climate scientist moms.  She found they were all worried. They all asked themselves, “How can the trajectory of government be changed to focus policy on saving their kid’s future?” The six climate scientist moms started the non-partisan advocacy group called Science Moms whose website is “Sciencemoms.com”.

The organization is designed to make it easy for mothers to understand the science. Once a mother understands the science and knows she has the support of other moms and grand moms, their bond of caring becomes a force of nature.

Women throughout American History have been there when we needed them. Often, they were the steady positive influence behind their husbands. One woman immediately comes to mind, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife to President Franklin D Roosevelt, whose advocacy has been as influential as any person in American History.  Other women, the Rosy Riveters by the thousands, stood up and took a place on the assembly line when the men went to fight. Some historians claim American women were the most powerful “secret” weapon we had in WWII. Their pivotal efforts on the home front insured our servicemen had everything they needed on the battlefield.

Women are the unsung heroes whose encouragement, persuasion, and sometimes the rolling pin have kept the American Male grounded. Let us hope history repeats itself. If moms take an active part, I am sure we will all be back on track and moving forward. If you are a Mom, I hope you are up to the challenge.  Stopping man made climate change and protecting the planet for the children of the world is a great challenge for all of us. And, Science Moms is here to help.

Reading recommendation: “It is up to the Women” by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Website recommendations for all genders: sciencemoms.com and protectourwinters.org (Please pass these on!)