What is The Deal With This Pledge?

Humans are creatures of habit but are also extremely adaptable.

There are many things we as a human race must do so that our civilization stops burning fossil fuels and prevents further acceleration of climate change. As an individual person the things we can do are also varied, but isn't it nice to do some of the more tangible things sometimes? Those things that are directly within our control?

Many times I have seen climate advocates that I know well, people who dedicate their time, effort, money, and careers advocating for the climate, miss out on the chance to make tangible contributions. I see them buying equipment that burns fossil fuels. Even though they know we don't have time to be locked in to another 10-20years of burning fossil fuels. Even though they know there are lots of great alternatives out there. Even though they might have the financial means to pay for possible high up front costs. Does this remind you of yourself or someone you know? We are creatures of habit but we are also adaptable. Our habits just need a good shaking sometimes.

I was on track to fall into habits and then I made this pledge and realized I would have to sign it. Sure, I wanted to not burn fossil fuels but I never had spent the time to envision what that would look like for me or how I would get there. Now I am planning and committed to never buying fossil fuel burning equipment ever again.

This pledge is not intended to persuade people who aren’t already concerned about climate change. This pledge doesn't require you to throw away all your fossil fuel burning equipment today. This pledge does not require you to account for every indirect use of fossil fuels. This pledge is for folks who already want to help fight climate change but need a prompt. A prompt to envision themselves in a world that doesn't burn fossil fuels, and a prompt on what steps are needed to get to that world. That world is closer than we often dare to imagine, but we need to let it happen, we need to make it happen. Please, take a moment to envision your personal fossil fuel free future. What would it take to get there? If you are ready to work towards that future, please sign the pledge.

Why This Matters?

Simply put, if climate advocates can't be expected to ditch fossil fuel burning equipment, how can we expect everyone else to? A lot of the solutions to fossil fuels are relatively new. We don't just have to change our habits but the habits of industry, contractors, codes, inspectors, financiers, etc. Climate advocates must play an important role in normalizing the use of equipment that doesn't burn fossil fuels, creating new habits for our society so that others may follow our lead.