EARTH IN CRISIS | OPINION: One Small Step For Earth
Strength In Numbers Adds Up: Fixing The Climate One Action At A Time
By Tracey MacDermott | For the GPHN
With every passing year, our planet sets several more climate records.
Two months ago, on Dec. 22, Denver experienced a balmy 76-degree day. When all was said and done, 2025 was among Colorado’s top 10 warmest years. The first measurable snow did not arrive until Nov. 29. At this writing, Colorado’s snowpack is at record lows.
While some have been enjoying the warmer weather, it’s really nothing to celebrate. So what can we do?
Last month in these pages we highlighted many pro-environmental actions you can take this year. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions to make a change, or to do a small act to help the planet each month in 2026? If so, we would love to hear what you have done. If you are struggling with where to start, signing the many petitions seeking changes in laws and policies can be a great place to kick off your climate commitment.
Safe and Healthy Colorado
Safe and Healthy Colorado has been educating Coloradans on the dangers of fracking. Organizers are currently asking people to sign an open letter of support to stop the expansion of fracking and call for a just transition to clean renewable energy.
As the group points out, emissions from oil and gas production and combustion are the No. 1 source of both our state’s contribution to the climate crisis and our severely poor air quality along the Front Range. Impacts from fracking operations are also an environmental injustice to vulnerable communities that are continually exposed to toxic emissions.
Learn more and sign the letter of support at this link: tinyurl.com/SafeCOLOLetter.
Sierra Club Clean Energy
Have you been hit with high energy costs even though you have been implementing all the energy-saving tips you can think of to keep energy expenses down?
The Colorado chapter of the Sierra Club has been working hard to promote renewable energy by 2030 and to move us away from fuels that pollute. The organization recently mailed a flier highlighting that Xcel made $1.2 billion in profits last year. Its CEO took home $21 million in 2023.
Xcel’s latest plan is to request more gas plants and pipelines, despite demand from Coloradans for cleaner and cheaper energy. Clean energy is now the cheapest power source. You can learn more, volunteer, and sign up for regular updates at this link: sierraclub.org/colorado.
Plastic Pollution Coalition
None of us can get through the day without encountering plastic pollution. But that doesn’t mean we can’t commit to working to reduce its toxic impacts.
The Plastic Pollution Coalition has several action alerts related to plastic. One call to action demands that major corporations be held accountable for their plastic waste. Another asks the U.S. government and world leaders to develop ambitious solutions to reduce plastic pollution. Read more and take action at this link: plasticpollutioncoalition.org.
If you want to further your understanding of the plastic problem, Judith Enck, who served as an EPA Regional Administrator, has published a new book, The Problem with Plastic. The author reminds us that we can’t buy our way out of this self-made crisis, and she highlights that citizens need to put public pressure on our politicians to make meaningful changes.
The power is within us. Let’s use it. Small actions from many can add up and drive the change needed to solve the environmental crises we are grappling with.
All the areas and actions that we collectively need to make seem overwhelming. However once you start, you will find that you can always do just a bit more. Begin now by taking a few actions that only require a few moments out of your day.
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