Citizens Climate Education
Working to Preserve a Livable Planet
My love of nature started when I planted my first tree at five years old. As a child, I climbed the giant trees surrounding my home, hiked the mountains, and swam in lakes, always feeling safe in nature. I blossomed into a fierce advocate.
The Earth needs defending, and I want to make a difference in preserving a livable planet for my son’s future.
Hiking, backpacking, camping and outdoor exploration have been a staple in my life since I was a very young child. Growing up in rural Oregon meant being outside from morning until evening and engaging directly with nature by climbing trees, playing in creeks and ponds, watching wildlife, hiking in canyons and “saving” polliwogs when their pond was drying up by moving them to a new watery location!
During my first year of teaching in 1970, an entire school-wide celebration of the first Earth Day was carried out by my very first class of disabled middle school students. I will never forget their enthusiasm in wanting to “Save the Earth.” To inform others about science and nature and engage them in positive change through grassroots action is my climate voice and is a source of optimism for me.
Jim and his wife Tina moved to San Luis Obispo in 2022, a few years after his retirement as an elementary school teacher in Morgan Hill. He has valued our environment since going on second-grade bird walks in the 1950’s. Now, above all, he wants his children and grandchildren to be living in a beautiful and sustainable world in the 2050’s. Jim is grateful for all he has learned from fellow members of CCE, including the very supportive writing team.
I’ve always had a love of nature and a passion for public service. Early in my career, I was Joe Biden’s first legislative assistant in the U.S. Senate. I’ve been attracted to Citizens’ Climate Education/Lobby because it has an outstanding nonpartisan approach to public policy to get things done in politically polarized times. My book “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet” mobilizes people from teenagers to retired people to boost awareness, action and advocacy for a healthy climate.
My “Aha” moment about climate change came when our daughter and I were in the ice caves of Iceland and saw the rapidly melting glaciers. I resolved there and then to apply my energies and experience for a healthier climate future. I like CCE’s Healthy Forests initiative and the joy of true “down-to-earth” actions that my wife and I experience in planting trees to capture CO2 and convert it into living carbon and healthy soil.
Jacques Cousteau said, “We only protect what we love.” I love forests and mountains and snow and seashores and animals and humans and ESPECIALLY my two grandkids! So, I want to protect them!
Since moving to SLO from Fresno, it’s been so much fun getting to know people on the Central Coast who are as passionate about climate change as I am. As volunteer with CCE, I get to be part of a team of like-minded people who are working to protect the climate that my children and grandchildren will inherit. I get to use my writing and speaking skills and work with fun, friendly and smart people. What’s not to like about that?
