Doing Something About Climate Change

I think we all want to help the earth in some way. We writers like to spread the word. That's why I'm grateful to be included in an anthology of other writers addressing climate change in a new book sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists.

By reading the stories and supporting the group's efforts to lobby for comprehensive climate change legislation, you will be doing your part. Here's their message:

This week we expect the full House of Representatives to vote on a bill that could set us on the path toward curbing global warming, reducing our dependence on oil, and putting Americans back to work. And today we are releasing a new interactive book that puts a human face on why Congress must act now.

Thoreau's Legacy: American Stories about Global Warming introduces a new generation of writers and photographers with a personal connection to global warming. The 67 essays and images in this anthology are drawn from nearly 1,000 submissions about beloved places, people, plants, animals, and activities at risk from a changing climate—and the efforts that individuals are making to save what they love. A foreword by author Barbara Kingsolver serves as a powerful call to action.

From the site, you can peruse the book, send an email urging your representative to strengthen and support the climate bill being voted on this week, and help extend the reach of this book by encouraging your friends, family, and colleagues to check it out.

The essays we selected represent a variety of perspectives, voices, and experiences. The authors follow in the long tradition of great American environmental writers, like Henry David Thoreau, who have broadened our awareness and sharpened our perspective about the world we share. And they are inspiring action to protect our planet from global warming. They are Thoreau's legacy.