Check out these resources or email us if you have questions about the climate crisis at futuresonfireCA@gmail.com.
Embedded Files
Autonomy in the face of AgTech: How do we counter corporate narratives? by Va Campesina
When facing the climate crisis, technology plays a huge part in both perpetuating and combatting environmental destruction. Through corporations attempting to drive up profits by any means necessary, the increased use of tech in the agriculture industry is causing more devastation than ever before. This publication by Via Campesia focuses on the increasing evolution of agricultural technology and how to use technology to farm without harming communities.
Sneak Peak: "Essentially, agtech is a newly developing industry that combines several sectors — agribusiness, biotechnology, digital/software technology, and financial technology. We typically see agtech advertised in the form of “high-tech” modern farming implements, practices, and platforms — from drone farming to robot harvesters, to agri-e-commerce sites, to gene-edited crops. But more importantly, agtech is propelled forward on the back of a powerful vision of the future — one in which corporations have even more control over our food systems."
ADBUSTERS.ORG
Adbusters, created in 1989, is a magazine that uses art and design to fight social injustice, challenge social norms, and offer intersectional insight on environmental issues through their multi-decade-long battle with consumerism.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE HERE
DOWNLOAD THEIR FREE POSTERS/STICKERS HERE
WHAT IS CALSTRS? POSTER BY ZEIA BACHRACH
CALSTRS is the pension fund for teachers in California. Unfortunately, however, CALSTRS invests massive amounts of money in the fossil fuel industry! Check out this poster and the link below for more info.
"VEGAN SCHOOL LUNCH EFFECTIVELY REDUCES BHS'S CARBON FOOTPRINT" BY JULIA BRIMMER
FOF co-founder, Julia, delves into the importance of vegan school lunches in combatting climate change in this Berkeley High Jacket article!
Sneak Peek: "Only around 14 percent of American schools even offer plant-based lunches, with much fewer schools offering only plant-based lunches, showing that most places are not brave enough to act this drastically. The climate crisis, however, needs drastic action. Berkeley has the opportunity to be a catalyst for the future of our planet, and this needs to start with school lunches."
"WE NEED A WAR ON CHRISTMAS" BY OUR CHANGING CLIMATE
With Christmas just behind us, we are extra aware of how wasteful this holiday can be. People celebrate Christmas for all kinds of reasons, from religion to the way it can bring people together, but can't ignore that it is the most profitable, and therefore wasteful, time of the year. Our Changing Climate has produced an insightful video on this matter, spreading their belief that changing the way we think about Christmas can benefit the planet in immense ways.
Our Changing Climate's Video Description: "In this Our Changing Climate climate change video essay, I look at why we need a war on capitalist Christmas. Specifically, I look at the history of how capitalism stole Christmas, and how we might be able to steal it back. Christmas wasn't always a holiday of private gift-giving, it used to be based in public revelry and the reversal of power. Capitalism has since transformed the holiday into one based on the accumulation of material goods. This needs to change."
READ ABOUT BERKELEY HIGH SCHOOL'S FIRST EVER CLIMATE SUMMIT
On October 12th, 2022, Berkeley High School held its first Climate Summit at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA! It was a super inspiring event with awesome speakers and attendees (including Julia from FOF!). Stay tuned for what the Summit group does next!
Sneak Peek: "“If you are someone that loves art, think about how you or the art that you create can help fight against climate change, and that way you can get involved in climate change in a way that you feel passionate about,” Bachrach said. “Remember that every unique voice matters, and we need that uniqueness to actually drive this movement.” "
"HOW TO STAY SANE IN A DYING WORLD" BY OUR CHANGING CLIMATE
In the current state of the world, it can often seem like there is no hope for our planet. Many experience this, and this video delves into that topic, and what we can do to cope with climate anxiety
Our Changing Climate's Video Description: "In this Our Changing Climate climate change video essay, I look at how you can fight climate anxiety. Specifically, I look at the root causes of eco-anxiety and climate anxiety, why climate anxiety might only become more prevalent, and then offer up some ideas on how to cope and move through eco and climate anxiety. "
Content Warnings: discussions of suicide, anxiety, and mass shootings
LEARN ABOUT THANKSGIVING'S MASSIVE CARBON FOOTPRINT
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we are reminded of the negative origins and impacts of this holiday. With the large demand for meat and CO2 emissions of holiday travel, it is important that we keep up to date on the role Thanksgiving plays in affecting our planet.
Sneak Peek: "researchers at the University of Manchester in England figure that a turkey-n-trimmings feast for eight produces approximately 44 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. About 60% of that planet-warming gas comes from the life cycle of the turkey, alone. And that doesn't include drinks."
UNLEASHING THE CREATIVITY OF TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
Studies have found that the more climate education students have in their schools, the lower their carbon footprints end up being! This article discusses the initiatives being taken by schools, teachers, and students, in order to increase climate literacy and the chances of a better future.
Sneak Peek: "if only 16 percent of high school students in high- and middle-income countries were to receive climate change education, we could see a nearly 19 gigaton reduction of carbon dioxide by 2050."
LEARN ABOUT BATS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
October is National Bat Appreciation month! Bats play a crucial role in pest control and pollination but are drastically experiencing the effects of climate change. Check out these two articles to learn more! Become a bat ambassador!
Sneak Peek: "Overheated flying foxes, panting and frantically fanning themselves with their wings, fell from the trees in New South Wales, Australia, six years ago. Up to 3,500 black and grey-headed flying foxes died on the ground beneath their roosts, victims, researchers believe, of heat waves that pushed temperatures to 108 degrees F (42 C). In this era of looming climate change, such scorching temperatures are occurring more often. Tragically so: since 1994, more than 30,000 flying foxes have died in New South Wales, apparently because of at least 19 episodes of extreme heat."
BATS ARE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MISUNDERSTOOD ANIMALS
Sneak Peek: "Recent studies estimate that bats eat enough pests to save more than $1 billion per year in crop damage and pesticide costs in the United States corn industry alone. Across all agricultural production, consumption of insect pests by bats results in a savings of more than $3 billion per year."
HOW TO SAVE A PLANET PODCAST
How To Save A Planet is a well-researched, informative, and engaging podcast covering all things climate change. Their mission is to create episodes that leave listeners feeling inspired, and hopeful for our future while discussing what is really going on with our planet.
FOF's favorite episodes:
HOLY SH*T, THE US JUST GOT SERIOUS ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE
PRESENTING: THE JOURNAL - SHEIN TOOK OVER FAST FASHION. THEN CAME THE BACKLASH.
"THE DIRT ON FACTORY FARMS'' BY ACTION FOR THE CLIMATE EMERGENCY
CAFOs, or Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, are the main way that the majority of people get their meat. However, all of their practices blatantly harm animals, workers, people, and the planet. Check out this informational animated video, and learn more about the unethical practices of the meat industry.
Action for the Climate Emergency's video description: "What really goes on inside a CAFO or factory farm? The meat industry sure doesn’t want you to know — nor do they want you to know about the impact that factory farms have on the climate. Get the dirt on factory farms."
UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY OF HEAT WAVES
Here in the Bay Area, we’ve been experiencing intense heat waves, which have also been happening across the world. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on why these are happening. Spoiler alert: it's climate change!
Sneak Peek: "This level of extreme weather is life-threatening, and we really want to make sure that people are not under any illusion, that this is serious and this is here to stay for the foreseeable future"
READ ISSUE 1 OF YOUTH DEFENDERS
Futures on Fire, along with the Grandeur of Nature and many other climate organizations, have collaborated to produce the first issue of Youth Defenders, a magazine created to educate people on youth-led climate change-fighters all around the world.
Sneak peek:
"WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?" BY THE UNITED NATIONS
Read up on the science behind climate change in this credible source from the United Nations!
Sneak Peek: "Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas."
"WHAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE?" BY NASA
Check out NASA's rundown on scientists' perspectives of the climate crisis!
Sneak Peek: "Scientists think we can do things to stop the climate from changing as much. You can help by using less energy and water. Turn off lights and TVs when you leave a room. Turn off the water when brushing your teeth. You also can help by planting trees.
Another way to help is by learning about Earth. The more you know about Earth, the more you can help solve climate problems."
"QUESTIONS (FAQ) | FACTS - CLIMATE CHANGE" BY NASA
If you have a burning question on climate change, NASA has probably answered it. Take a look at their FAQ!
Sneak Peek: "What’s the difference between climate change and global warming?
“Global warming” refers to the long-term warming of the planet. “Climate change” encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet, including rising sea levels; shrinking mountain glaciers; accelerating ice melt in Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic; and shifts in flower/plant blooming times."
"Climate change: Earth's giant game of Tetris" BY TED-ed
TED-Ed is an awesome youtube channel that creates engaging animations to spread lessons that they believe are worth sharing. This video takes a creative approach to convey the science behind climate change.
TED-Ed's Video Description: "There's a game of Tetris happening on a global scale: The playing space is planet Earth, and all those pesky, stacking blocks represent carbon dioxide -- a greenhouse gas that is piling up ever more rapidly as we burn the fossil fuels that run our cars, factories and power plants. Joss Fong outlines how this overload of CO2 leads to climate change and reminds us that, unlike Tetris, we won't get an opportunity to start over and try again."
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