At the heart of the Climate Reality Project is action and making your voice heard to push for change so we can have a healthier planet. There are many ways you can contribute to making positive changes. The important thing to remember is every action makes a difference. You can write letters to support changes, speak at government and community meetings, join local organizations, or participate in neighborhood clean-ups. The important thing is to take that first step toward action.
Even something simple such as writing a letter or making a phone call can have a strong impact. Most state legislative and local committees now accept letters in support or opposition to items on meeting agendas. Many also accept telephone calls into the meetings so you can have your voice heard from the comfort of your own home.
In Las Vegas, there are several local government bodies, each of which have their own boards and schedule of meetings. Agendas for these meetings are almost always posted beforehand and tell you what issues will be discussed and on what date. These meetings provide an incredible chance for you to make a difference and learn more about initiatives and projects that will directly impact your local community. If you are interested in attending these meetings, visit their websites:
In addition, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County and the City of Henderson all provide opportunities for local residents to serve on volunteer advisory board, councils or commissions. This enables you to truly have a strong voice in local matters and shape our future. Many of these groups meet on a regular basis. Information on how to apply is available on their websites.
You can also make your voice heard on transportation issues by attending meetings of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), which oversees public transportation as well as local and regional planning efforts. Transportation has a tremendous impact on our climate. Pollution from cars and trucks directly affect our air quality which, in turn, causes health issues. The RTC has regular meetings to discuss its projects and initiatives such as mobility plans and improvement projects as well as plans for pedestrian and bike paths. The RTC committee meetings accept public comments and upcoming agendas can be found on its website.
The Nevada State Legislature, which meets in Carson City and is comprised of the Assembly and State Senate, is responsible for enacting laws for the entire state and almost all of these laws have some type of effect on us at the local level. Climate related laws cover a broad spectrum and our voices must be heard in Carson City.
The Legislature is currently in session and is considering a wide range of bills which could have an impact on the climate crisis. All of these bills will be heard in committees before going to the full Legislature. One of the easiest ways to find climate-related bills is through the Nevada Electronic Legislative Information System (NELIS). Using this system, you can search current bills using keywords to find out their status and when they will be heard in committees. Public comments are accepted at all legislative committee meetings.
NELIS can also help you find out who your own representatives are so you can contact them to hold them responsible for their votes on important bills.
In addition to getting involved with government actions, local non-profits and organizations are always looking for people to get involved with on-the-ground projects and to volunteer at various events. The Las Vegas chapter of Climate Reality Project has a calendar of events on its website as do other organizations. These events include clean-ups at various localities throughout Las Vegas, preparing meals for the homeless, and food rescue programs.
There are so many ways to make a difference in our fight against climate change. No matter how you decide to get involved, just remember, every step and every action makes a difference.