The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that humanity has only four years to cut global greenhouse gas emissions nearly in half, and the consequences of failure are dire - for us and for the natural world. Birds are already feeling the heat, and examples will be shared. Anyone who’s done a Christmas Bird Count or submitted to eBird has helped document climate-related changes in bird distribution, migration, and nesting. Climate initiatives from Audubon include National’s award-winning climate action guide and webpage, and many local chapter efforts. Good news is that quite a few proven climate solutions are available, already having an impact. But they need to be implemented, and everyone can help with that. We can make a difference for ourselves, the birds we love, and our irreplaceable living planet.
Our speaker and ASK Board member, Dr. Susan Schneider, has served on the boards of four Audubon chapters and been president of two. Her years of experience in climate change work include outreach, community projects, organizing, academic and nonacademic publications, and extensive public speaking. As Senior Scientist for the sustainability nonprofit Root Solutions, Schneider helped design projects, and coauthored two chapters in the organization’s guidebook, Making Shift Happen: Designing for Successful Environmental Behavior Change. Recent outreach includes a podcast for the Union of Concerned Scientists and a monthly “green psychology” blog. Schneider’s award-winning book for the public, The Science of Consequences, covers basic learning principles and their broad range of applications, including sustainability. Schneider is on the faculty at Western Michigan University and serves on its Climate Change Working Group. She also serves on the Tools of Change Landmark Peer Review Panel for Climate Change, a psychology for sustainability board, and the board of the nonprofit Green Driving America.