Climate change is a civil issue because it can greatly affect human life in the near future. It has become a global concern due to this potential impact. Climate Change refers to the long-term changes in the Earth's climate, including rising temperatures, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The effects of climate change are already being felt around the world, including more frequent and severe natural disasters, food and water shortages, and displacement of people. Earth’s climate is around 1.1℃ (or roughly 2℉) warmer than at the end of the 19th century but needs to be limited to a maximum change of 1.5℃ (about 2.7℉) above those levels for the health and safety of all people (www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition). The timeline developed to combat global climate change is known as “net-zero”; for it to work properly, it is necessary that by 2030, 45% of carbon emissions globally are dropped and all emissions are gone by 2050.(www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition).

• ● What is the issue? Be specific (What right is at risk or needs to be improved?)

  Climate change threatens many human and civil rights such as the rights to life, water, food, health, housing, and development. The US government has a responsibility to always prevent any predictable negative effects of climate change (https://www.ohchr.org/en/climate-change), but they do not always uphold this obligation.

• ● Why is it an issue? Use data and statistics to prove your point.

  The government has allowed various projects to take place that cause negative climate change. These include:

  -Approval of The Willow Project, which will result in 9.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions produced each year, the equivalent of driving around 2 million gas cars. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/03/01/willow-project-biden-conoco-phillips/)

  -In a survey about general legislation and approvals in the United States government, it was found that over half of respondents said that the government does too little for climate change. (https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2018/05/14/majorities-see-government-efforts-to-protect-the-environment-as-insufficient/).

• ● What is the current situation in this area?

  The climate is getting worse because of the negative impact of projects, but the situation needs to get better to meet the fast approaching goals outlined by the UN.

• ● What type of legislation, court cases, actions etc. have already been taken? By whom?

  The National Climate Task Force is part of an executive order put in place by Joe Biden that aims reverse climate change. They have created the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide community funding for clean energy, the Building Performance Standards Coalition for reducing emissions, and more. However, most of what they have done has not been required on a large scale and is more of an opt-in program. (https://www.whitehouse.gov/climate/).

• ● What have been the real and tangible (noticeable) effects of these actions?

  There has not been much in the United States so far because most US corporations and localized governments can either opt-out or buy their way out of requirements for change.

• ● Connect the past to the present.

  Climate change has continually gotten worse over time since the late 1800s. Each year since, on average, the temperature has risen 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. However over the last roughly 50 years, the rate has become 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit per decade. The rate is increasing rapidly and there is not enough happening by governments or corporations to stop it.

• ● How will your plan be different or improve the former actions? (Do NOT say ‘mine will work better’)

  My plan involves raising money and awareness directly through social media and directly to representatives of organizations. It will not allow people to as easily ignore the change that needs to happen.

• ● State your goal. This is your argument. Make the goal specific, measurable and realistic. (What will the U.S. look like because of your actions?)

  My goal is to reverse the effects of climate change as quickly as possible in such a way to meet the UN’s timeline.

• ● How will you know that the goal is achieved? What will be the evidence?

  The goal will be achieved when we have reached net-zero carbon emissions in 2050. This will be based on scientific data about carbon emissions and reports from carbon-negative entities.

• ● Why is this issue important to YOU? (Pick something you actually care about)

  This issue is important because I would really like to live for many years. With climate change, this is possibly limited. As the Earth warms up, life will become quickly more complicated for all humans and animals.

• ● Why are you passionate about it? (Hint- this is the time to relate to your own experiences, beliefs, and other classes)

  I’ve always been passionate about saving the environment. Running Williamsburg Area Thirst Project has taught me about keeping water sources clean and sanitary. I also will be starting up recycling at Walsingham again next year. My mindset has always been to make the Earth a better place, and reversing climate change is definitely a factor of that.

• ● What method/s of change will you use?

  -<del>We will create videos and social media posts that focus on displaying the future if climate change is not reversed. They will also challenge people to a certain activity they challenge others to do as well to help spread the cause.</del>

  -<del>We will meet with large corporations to discuss how to go net-zero and carbon negative. We will freely provide our assistance and knowledge in choosing and helping setting up carbon-reducing systems.</del>

• ● How will you go about these methods?

  -We will fundraise for anti-climate change, using the resources to pay speakers and for resources needed to share the cause.

  -We will also ask volunteers for help in the cause.

• ● Why are these appropriate for your issue? (Give historical examples where these have been effective and relate how that is similar to your cause)

  -The Ice Bucket Challenge raised over $100 Million for the ALS Association because of its challenges and spread on social media. (https://online.maryville.edu/blog/a-guide-to-social-media-activism/). This is similar because it began as social media activism that challenged viewers to an activity.

  -Businesses want to make customers happy. With pressure from public social media accounts, trending challenges, and other factors from customers, large organizations will want to change in a way that helps them keep up their marketing.

• ● How will you gather support for the cause?

  We will gather support through challenges on social media that are fun, new, and interesting for a variety of people. These people will complete the challenge and then challenge others, spreading the cause in a hopefully viral trend.

• ● What are the advantages of the method you chose?

  A large group of people spreading the cause costs us nothing, while the cause has the opportunity to quickly spread.

• ● What are the concerns/drawbacks?

  It may be very hard to create a challenge that is trending as there is no one proper formula for a popular post.

• ● What materials will you need to carry out your plan?

  I will need a phone with social media accounts, as well as a Canva subscription to make the posts.

• ● How will you know if your methods have been effective? What will be the measurable results?

  When at least 50 other people/day are posting responses to the challenges, we know we’ve been successful.

• ● Uses Times New Roman; font size 12; one inch margins

• ● Correct MLA, APA, or Chicago citations

• ● Proper in-text citations

• ● Complete bibliography with full citations

• ● Grammar, spelling, vocabulary are on grade level

• ● Post a viewable link or pdf of your action plan in the OneNote tab ● Turned in on time