Recycling and Climate Change – Real or Rationalization?

Recently several different groups in my community of Yellow Springs, Ohio began taking actions concerning climate change. This started around the time of the Pope’s visit to the U.S. in September 2015. An interfaith group was formed of citizens interested in getting the different religions in town to become more aware and more involved in climate change action. As a result of this, a Buddhist group held meetings (which I attended) to discuss a book on the topic of climate change written by a Buddhist nun. Also the local Quaker community began meeting, starting out by reviewing some of the work they had done to reduce energy use. This work included thickening the walls of their brick meeting room so they could be insulated, and replacing the single-pane windows with double-pane windows. In late October, I attended the first meeting of a third group of citizens commissioned by the Village Council to develop a Climate Action Plan.