EARTH IN CRISIS | OPINION
Watch Out, Apocalypse
Denver Climate Project Fights Back In Clever New Campaign
By Tracey MacDermott | For the GPHN
What is up with the signs with cryptic messages appearing around town at bus stops and billboards? One billboard, “Do More. Do Less. Do Something,” caught my eye. I noticed it is brought to us by the Denver Climate Project. What?
The Denver Climate Project is a brilliant new initiative designed to spark us all into action and remind us that we can collectively solve the climate crisis. Ultimately, the goal is to get each of us to do more of what helps the planet, less of what hurts the planet and no matter what, DO SOMETHING!
This campaign is brought to you by the voter-approved Climate Protection Fund. Five years ago, 62 percent of Denver voters approved a 0.25 percent sales tax to help tackle climate change. Here are a few of the program’s success highlights: 1 million car trips reduced, 9,400 new e-bikes, 4,500 new trees, 31 buildings electrified (including the Greater Park Hill Community building at 2823 Fairfax St.). There are many other success stories.
As noted on the Denver Climate Project website at denvergov.org/Community/Denver-Climate-Project, our city is experiencing the impacts of climate change: more 100-plus degree days, increased wildfire smoke and droughts. However, the Denver Climate Project is not letting the negatives control the narrative. It is not too late to solve this existential crisis, and this campaign is focused on what each of us can do.
One billboard reads, “Not today, Apocalypse.” Another, “Unlike Climate Deniers, This Billboard Evolves. Soon to be up-cycled into reusable bags.”
In the “Do More” category on the website, people are encouraged to make changes at home, work and on the go. The city has collaborated with Goodwill Industries to create the “Denver Climate Collection,” a line of what is described as “upcycled fashion bringing climate action to life.” You can buy these upcycled clothing items at Goodwill’s Archer Store at 21 S. Broadway.
Other things to “Do More” of: bike, compost, plant native species, drive an EV, turn off the lights behind you. Declutter your digital life to reduce energy burden on servers. Encourage co-workers to shut down their computers and unplug devices at night.
There’s also a “Do Less” category — as in simple steps to stop hurting the planet. Drive one less car trip per week, take public transit, waste less food, ditch single-use plastics. Wash your clothes in cold water, shop at a Zero Waste store. Encourage your employer to stop using disposable cups and bottled water.
When it comes to “Do Something,” we all can. Shop locally, vote for climate-conscious leaders, support green businesses. In Denver there are 420 Certifiably Green businesses — and yes Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. is one of those. If you live in Park Hill, become a dues-paying member (greaterparkhill.org/join-us/become-a-member/). Your support helps us continue our climate work and yes, we would love your ideas and help.
There are many more ways — yes, fun ways — to learn about and explore what you can do on the Denver Climate Project’s website. Consider learning how to install a landscaping graywater system, check out a list of approved street trees, learn how to compost. Perusing all the options is a good reminder that we are not powerless — far from it. The power is in our community and its collective hands.
Denver is rated second in the country for policies that advance building energy efficiency. It also leads the way on market share of new electric vehicles. We have a lot to be proud of.
“One person can’t solve the climate crisis—but 716,577 of us who live in Denver can make a heck of a dent. So watch out, apocalypse—Denver’s fighting back.” — Denver Climate Project
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large board member of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017. She chairs the Sustainability Committee for the Business and Professional Women of Colorado and the National Federation for Business and Professional Women. Email her at traceymacdermott@gmail.com