HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetters of Support Climate change has significantly impacted my daily life, and will to continue to negatively impact
the world around me until we make decisions to care about what we are leaving behind for the
next generation. Recently, I have noticed that the winter conditions have become more extreme,
from the freezing rain covering my car while I was at school, to the several days that my
education was postponed due to severe cold and precipitation. Last year, we were impacted by
both the 500-year flood and the 1000-year flood, which damaged my neighborhood, and flooded
Leeper Park, right across the river from my house. My mom grew up on a farm in southern
Indiana, and has noticed fewer frogs, monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, and honey bees than
when she was a little girl. We cannot help but connect the effect of the change in climate to the
disappearances of habitats and creatures. The effects of global warming are all around us and
undeniable, no matter what politicians may tell us. We need to listen to what are scientists are
telling us, and do everything in our power to protect this earth before it is too late.
-Emma Kirner
11th Grader
Climate change, contrary to popular belief, has a tremendous impact on everyday life,
and the effects of it are more prominent than ever. In these past few years, I have not
experienced the kind of fall or spring we used to have when I was kid --they seem like week-
long seasons. In my childhood, I can't remember a time where we had conditions like the ones
we had just a few weeks ago in the polar vortex. Just a few days later, the temperature was
back to 50 degrees. The weather outside is unlike anything we have experienced before, and
these changes are not positive at all. On a local level, these drastic changes can affect one's
physical and mental health, as well as the health of the environment.
On a bigger scale, though, climate change is irreversible. Already, we are witnessing the
extinction of thousands of animals yearly due to loss of habitable ecosystems, and the
temperature of our planet is rising at an unprecedented rate. The number of climate refugees is
rising exponentially, and will continue to do so if preventive measures are not taken.
Though this issue can't be resolved with the implementation of environmentally
sustainable practices in just one city, change has to start from somewhere. South Bend can set
a precedent by striving to become a carbon neutral city, and this precedent is bound to spread
throughout Indiana.
It is your obligation to help protect the future of South Bend's new generation. As a part
of this generation, I implore you to make the right decision, and work to inhibiting the
progression of climate change.
Komal Kumar
-11th Grader
To Whom It May Concern,
The current national government administration has continuously denied the existence of
climate change, despite conclusive scientific evidence. In regards to recent events such as the
"polar vortex" in which temperatures reached record lows, and two state of emergencies due to
record breaking floods, it is clear that climate change is not a phenomenon that we can choose
to ignore any longer. Events resulting from climate change are not irrelevant disasters that we
read about in newspapers, they are affecting the lives of people in South Bend on a personal
level. The proposed plan to reduce the City of South Bend's carbon emissions would not only be
doing the right thing for our world, it would set an example to other governments and the
citizens of South Bend that climate change needs immediate action and attention.
Grace Yarger
11th Grader
To the City of South Bend,
My name is Michael Dunham, and I have lived in this city 14 years out of my 16 year life. I have
seen this city grow and change, become developed, and most recently, produce a presidential
candidate. But the one thing I have yet to see from South Bend is a push towards complete
sustainability. I wish to live in this city when I grow older, however I am not sure if I can if this
city has not communicated to its residents that it understands and has acted on the dangers of
climate change. I do not want to tell my children that we saw the problem, and did nothing to
stop it. This should not be their problem, yet it will if do not do something about it. I am tired of
waiting, tired of hoping, tired of praying that maybe something will change. I am writing because
something needs to be done. This is a problem that affects us all. I implore you, as your job is to
ensure that the rights of our city are upheld, please do that job by singing this ordinance. My
children have a right to grow up in a clean, safe world.
Please uphold that right.
-Michael Dunham
11th Grader at John Adams High School
When the issue of climate change is brought up, a majority of people do not see it as a
tangible issue; as something that has an everyday effect on life.And in some cases they're right -
some places face more drastic changes than others, such as the punishing drought leading to
devastating wildfires in California or the outbreak of the mountain pine beetles that is killing
pine trees across the Rocky Mountains. However, the effects are becoming more long-range,
leaving nowhere untouched, even South Bend. Probably the most obvious example of climate
change recently has been the polar vortex,reaching dangerously low temperatures and causing
schools and workplaces to close across the Midwest(multiple studies have corroborated that this
is directly linked to climate change, including those from the Union of Concerned Scientists and
Science Advances). These extreme temperatures will continue to appear throughout the world, as
will other and possibly more dramatic effects as global warming continues to threaten the future.
This is no longer an ideological belief or opinion that we can postpone discussion on. We are
seeing and feeling the effects,and they will only continue to increase unless we can take solid
steps to try and at least partially solve the damage that we have been doing to the environment.
-Claire Stowe
11th Grader at John Adams High School
Climate change is a serious issue that the affecting Earth and there should be more measures
put in place to help slow its growth. I'd like to still be able to have all four seasons and not have
to worry about more natural disasters in the future. I wouldn't want to be in a world where winter
doesn't exist anymore and it's always warm.
-Ashley
Climate change is important to me for many reasons. One, it will change the freshwater and
saltwater resources that form the basis of our ecosystem and our community. Because of the
increase in the amount of CO2 that the ocean is absorbing,this will begin to kill the organisms
that live in the ocean, and affect the marine wildlife that many people depend on for food(I also
really like turtles and do not want to see them dead). Second,the coastlines will begin to shift,
most likely causing houses to disappear under the sea as many icebergs melt. And third,humans
depend on freshwater to drink, so we need to create a better system of managing our future water
sources before it is all gone.
-McKenna
In the recent decades, climate change has continued to become a more serious problem. The
mean global temperature has risen substantially and sea levels have continued to increase.
Because of this, many animals' lives have been endangered and their habitats destroyed. The
warner climate has led to a much higher rate of natural disasters all over the globe. In the near
future, droughts, hurricanes, and floods will become rampant, endangering the lives of millions.lt
is our humanitarian responsibility to try and stop climate change sooner rather than later.
Sincerely,
Roy Bualuan
11th Grader at John Adams High School
Climate change, like a threat of war and famine, forces us to pay attention to what is happening
around us. It may not be such an immediate destruction, but it shrouds us in fear for our future.
We live with fear for our dying planet and are bombarded with news of the latest natural
disaster, extinct species, and foretellings of the irrevocable damage we are inflicting upon the
planet. Climate change has cast a dark shadow upon our society and a burden on the shoulders
of the younger generation to fix the damage that we have all inflicted. It is a threat that won't go
away, and one that pushes down upon us everyday. But it inspires us to do better, and to take
action to reverse the patterns of harmful behavior we all participate it.
Scarlett
Climate Change is an issue that is very important to me. It is inherently a global issue and affects
each and every one of us. Our world is changing, and it is not for the better. We have more
droughts,more storms,more shrinking glaciers and rising oceans, And although we may not see
the effects as strongly as others,we cannot deny that we contribute to its cause. We have a
responsibility to protect the future of our planet. And if we ignore this responsibility, then we are
ignoring the right of those who come after us,to enjoy the same earth we do
Teo Rimbold-Thomas
Climate change affects me like it affects everyone. It might not seem like it, but every person is
being affected by climate change right now. It's not getting better. I believe in fighting climate
change because I don't think it's a choice, it's survival. The threat is internal, all we have to do is
survive ourselves, but that has proven to be the greatest threat of all. Climate change is the one
thing that we should all agree on, and yet I'm still here writing this.
Reka Blakemore
11th Grader at John Adams High School
I expect much of the resistance to the proposed piece of legislation will stem from 1) unfeasible
execution and 2) political hangups. As usual,what a shame it is that our shared atmosphere has fallen
prey to divisive discourse and political schism. Half the nation hears"climate change" and launches into
a not-this-again eyeroll.
So instead, I'll talk to you about energy sources.
Indiana gets its energy from coal. Nearly all the coal mined in this state never leaves our borders. One
would expect that from the likes of Kentucky,West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, but our pocket of
Midwestern neighbors helps round out the nation's top ten coal consumers. Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio
can also lay claim to that smoggiest of trophies.When you burn coal,airborne nasties such as nitrogen
oxides,sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and mercury are released.We don't even put mercury in
thermometers anymore. Nitrogen oxide?That's what makes acid rain.Acid rain?I haven't heard about
that since the '80s. That's because we made laws regulating it.Yes yes, coal plants have scrubbers now.
It's not dirty coal.That's because nobody likes breathing in ash. It doesn't change the fact we're burning
rocks to charge our laptops. Clean does not exist when you're burning rocks, and even if you could make
the firing process squeaky and bright,extraction still exists. Oh yeah, the mining.
True,Transpo has changed their buses to natural gas. Ever heard of fracking? It contaminates
groundwater. People can't use their own faucets. It's the original Flint.
What are we supposed to use then?! Nothing is good. Everything's demonized. Enviro-paralysis.
Responsibility is not just avoiding the bad. Proactive goodness ought to be sought. Don't merely shy
away from coal. Protect wetlands. For every tree you approve to die, plant minimum one to replace it.
We can do harm as long as we match it punch for punch with care. Right our wrongs.
That's what we're asking for: equilibrium.To be better.
Indiana has a streak of environmental notoriety. It doesn't have to be that way.
This is what opportunity looks like.
It will require courage to take the leap,
but we'll be right behind you.
-Mikhala Kaseweter
Former Student of St. Mary's, Instructional Aide at Laville
Climate Change Action is Smart Investing
Dear South Bend City Council,
My name is Zach Myszka. I am currently a Masters of Accounting student at Notre Dame, where
I also did my undergraduate. I am writing to you today with a simple message: Investing in
climate change action is investing in the future. As I am sure has been proven to you all by now,
climate change is real and is a clear danger to our future. We're not talking 2100, we're talking
2050,probably even 2030. There is no denying the reality of our changing planet, and that we
are causing that change to accelerate beyond"normal". If we do not act now, there will soon be
no time left to act.
In many ways, South Bend reminds me of my hometown, Crivitz. Crivitz is a town of less than
1,100 people in Northeast Wisconsin. Much like South Bend once was, Crivitz has struggled
through a changing national economy. Too many people live in poverty and the manufacturing
jobs once held be so many are drying up. While South Bend has made the leap to be a city of
tomorrow, Crivitz is at risk of becoming a ghost town. I bring in this comparison because the
difference between South Bend and Crivitz is in the actions their leaders have taken. South
Bend's proactive investments in the community have brought about growth and reinvigorated the
city. I hope that your decisions will continue that progress.
Invest in your city and act against climate change. J.P. Morgan recently wrote a"Philanthropy
Field Guide" illustrating the many ways the investors can make an impact. J.P. Morgan and
Chase Bank, in addition to other banks across the globe, have also started including climate
change in their financial models. Numerous non-profits, including the Sierra Club, invest solely
in companies and local-level governments which are acting against climate change, providing
resources to corporations and communities in response to the reality of climate change. If top
financial institutions and non-profits are including climate change in their decision making, why
shouldn't we?
Thank you for your time and your service to the community.
Sincerely,
Zachary Myszka
Notre Dame: B.B.A. Accountancy and History, 2018; Masters of Science in Accounting, 2019
Dear Council Members,
I feel that climate change is an important issue because it affects everything around us. Not only
are we harming ourselves, but our ecosystems too. If climate change continues to not receive the
attention it deserves then the effects will be felt for generations. Children in the future will live in
a world unrecognizable to us. Please consider taking action on the issue of climate change.
Thank you,
Thomas teRiele
18330 Dunn Rd Apt 2104
South Bend, IN 46637-5557
United States
Hello,
My name is Morgan Widhalm and I am a resident of South Bend living at 3409 Oakcrest Dr.,
South Bend, IN 46615.
I believe we must take action at every level (individual, business, local government, state
government, federal government, etc.) to address climate change. We are quickly heading
towards levels of destruction of our environment that are more and more irreversible, and bold
action now is required to keep global warming at bay and protect air, water and land.
This is not only our duty as stewards of the Earth, but critical to our continued survival as a
human species on this planet. Public health is at risk when we put corporate or personal
interests in profit over keeping this world livable.
In addition to that, much climate action ends up being profitable in the long run as well. Creative
solutions in the Refuse/Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Rot help us to critically analyze what we
consume and how its made. Reducing packaging waste, resources needed to create goods,
and what resources we're using to create goods, are all critical and often save us money.
Thank you in advance for committing to climate action that is future-thinking, creative, and in the
best interests of everyone who calls this Earth home.
Best,
Morgan Widhalm
2/18/2019 University of Notre Dame Mail-South Bend Climate Change Call-To-Action
Tai Verbrugge<tverbrug@nd.edu>
South Bend Climate Change Call-To-Action
Emily Wang <ewang3@nd.edu> Sun, Feb 17, 2019 at 6:57 PM
To: tverbrug@nd.edu
Hello --
I'm not able to attend the meeting tomorrow, but I very much support the idea of a local climate ordinance. Not only has
climate change already begun to affect our present, it will undoubtedly affect our future, and disproportionately affects the
youngest living generation today--our children. In addition, some of the ways South Bend might enforce a climate
ordinance could benefit the city in myriad ways, such as the efforts put forth by Reforest South Bend.
Thank you for sharing my voice!
Best,
Emily
Emily Wang
Assistant Professor of Russian
Department of German and Russian Languages and Literatures
University of Notre Dame
Make an appointment
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=56a1 f0c6d0&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f%3A1625762446340747317&simpl=msg-f%3A16257624463... 1/1
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Science for Environment Policy
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Green spaces in cities can have a_cooling influence which helps reduce the
'urban heat island effect'. New research from Portugal has demonstrated that
19 March 2013 even a small community garden can provide a significant cooling impact that can
Thematic Issue help efforts to adapt to climate change.
37: Ecosystem-
based Adaptation Climate change is expected to cause hotter and drier summers in many locations,
Subscribe to free increasing the 'urban heat island effect' where built-up areas become hotter than their rural
weekly News Alert surroundings. Studies of urban green spaces of a few hectares or more frequently
demonstrate cooling effects. This study set out to explore whether smaller green spaces
Source: Oliveira, S., might also provide notable cooling benefits. A case study was undertaken of a
Andrade, H., and Vaz,T. neighbourhood garden in Lisbon of only 0.24 hectares.
(2011). The cooling effect
of green spaces as a Garden Teofilo de Braga is situated in central Lisbon, a densely populated area. The garden
contribution to the is mainly used by the elderly and young, age groups that are particularly vulnerable to heat
mitigation of urban heat: stress. The park is most used during the afternoon when the sun is high. In summer, a
a case study in Lisbon.
Building and Environment. variety of trees provide canopy coverage of 96.5%.
46: 2186-2194.
DOI: Data were recorded both within and beyond the garden over six hot summer days, three of
10.1016/j.buildenv.2011.0 which saw temperatures exceed 32°C, the threshold above which mortalities have been
4.034.. observed to increase. Both maximum and average temperatures were recorded, and an
Contact: index assessing the impact of temperature on human biology, the 'Physiologically
sisoliveira@hotmail.com Equivalent Temperature', which takes into account the biological effect of air temperature,
long and short wave radiation, humidity, wind speed, and even people's clothing.
Read more about:
Climate change and Temperatures within the garden were often significantly cooler than nearby locations. The
energy, Urban cooling effect was most marked on the hottest day, in which the garden's highest
environment temperature was a 6.9°C cooler than surrounding locations. Mean temperatures and the
impact on human physiology were also significantly lower within and close to the garden.
The contents and views
included in Science for The study demonstrated that small green spaces in cities can have a valuable cooling effect
Environment Policy are that may extend for some distance beyond the park - 200 metres in this study, and
based on independent, several hundred metres in another study of a 3 hectare garden in Japan.
peer-reviewed research
and do not necessarily
reflect the position of the However, factors other than vegetation shading were recognised as important. The dry
European Commission, Mediterranean climate of Lisbon was thought to cause more cooling from evaporation than
To cite this comparable studies of gardens in more humid climates. Buildings and design of the
article/service:"Science surrounding areas, the amount of shade and wind speeds, for example, can also affect
for Environment Policy": temperatures both within and beyond green spaces.
European Commission DG
Envirdnment News Alert
service, edited by In this study, a street with north-south orientation (and therefore receiving minimal
scu,The university of the sunshine) and high shading by buildings and trees showed similar temperatures to those
West of England, Bristol. within the garden. Such findings illustrate the value of using local data to better appreciate
the potential cooling impacts in a given climate and urban form, and the factors which
might encourage cooling.
Hello,
Climate change is important now more than ever. It is easy to see how it affects so many
people, such as the recent polar vortex, or the droughts in California. We need to do something
to slow or even stop climate change so that future generations can live healthy lives like we
have. It is time for action now!
Thank you,
Madie Stahl
11th Grader
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