I found myself in a situation over the summer of 2021. I had recently changed careers due to the pandemic. As a previous family advocate, I missed the connection with people. I was searching for a part-time job when I found the listing for a Community Coordinator with Sunrise Project and the Climate Action Plan. I knew that climate change was happening, and I too, like so many others, was more focused on the current fire in front of me. As I learned more about the project and climate impacts and listened to stories from residents during my outreach at the Ballard Center and Just Food, I heard clear themes.
Home- and food-vulnerable families were the general demographics for my main focus to include in the project. The common themes from 35 stories collected were extreme weather, increased allergies, and education on solar power. Almost everyone is experiencing increased costs for allergy and asthma medication, higher utility bills, and increased food costs.
One of the most impactful stories that I heard was from a gentleman who moved to Lawrence a few years ago. Prior to moving to Lawrence, he resided in New Mexico. He told me a story of good times he had with a good career, solar power on his home, and the savings he experienced from decreased energy costs. He told me that he holds this story near and dear to his heart. He described a loss of employment, a need to sell his home, and new buyers with a requirement to remove his solar power. Unfortunately, he lost all of his savings removing all of the equipment, breaking leases, and cancelling agreements. He lost so much money that he is now currently home vulnerable and displaced in Lawrence.
An increase in extreme weather, and the severity of storms was one of the most common themes. Residents spoke about the rain and flooding in and around town. Some families experienced transportation issues during the extreme highs and lows. And sadly, one family lost their family vehicle due to a wreck in a severe and sudden storm. People, including children, can feel the energy of intense storms–there is a correlation between mental health and extreme weather, especially when families are displaced.
Another common theme was increased allergies, asthma, and medication costs. I heard stories of increased medication costs, longer and more severe allergies, and allergies not occurring around the same times as they used to. Families need easier access to cheaper, non-addictive allergy medication, better air filters, and asthma inhalers.
Climate change impacts everyone. Although some families had not noticed any changes at all, perhaps simply starting the conversation might assist in them thinking about climate change the next time it is 72 degrees in December 2021 in Lawrence, Kansas. Residents noticed changes in crops and bird migrations. Residents are also worried about family members along the coasts. In the coming years, there will be a rapidly increasing number of families who are displaced by wildfires, droughts, and floods.
Residents are concerned, and so am I. If there is no beginning, then where would you start? Where do I start?
