I am so happy to be here and so happy to see all of you in the audience and so
see all of you in the audience and so
see all of you in the audience and so many friends and it’s just wonderful to
many friends and it’s just wonderful to
many friends and it’s just wonderful to be here in Middlebury I’ve been thinking
be here in Middlebury I’ve been thinking
be here in Middlebury I’ve been thinking about giving this talk of course for the
about giving this talk of course for the
about giving this talk of course for the past six months non-stop and every day I
past six months non-stop and every day I
past six months non-stop and every day I wake up or have woken up in the past six
wake up or have woken up in the past six
wake up or have woken up in the past six months
months
months and you know take a little look at the
and you know take a little look at the
and you know take a little look at the headlines in terms of what’s been going
headlines in terms of what’s been going
headlines in terms of what’s been going on with our two presidential candidates
on with our two presidential candidates
on with our two presidential candidates because I’m kind of interested in who’s
because I’m kind of interested in who’s
because I’m kind of interested in who’s running the country and I think we all
running the country and I think we all
running the country and I think we all are so we had an election on Tuesday and
are so we had an election on Tuesday and
are so we had an election on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning when we all woke up
on Wednesday morning when we all woke up
on Wednesday morning when we all woke up I think that an awful lot of us said I
I think that an awful lot of us said I
I think that an awful lot of us said I don’t believe it
don’t believe it
don’t believe it and honestly I mean I said that but I
and honestly I mean I said that but I
and honestly I mean I said that but I also think that Kellyanne Conway Donald
also think that Kellyanne Conway Donald
also think that Kellyanne Conway Donald Trump’s campaign manager with whom I am
Trump’s campaign manager with whom I am
Trump’s campaign manager with whom I am totally obsessed and you should be too
totally obsessed and you should be too
totally obsessed and you should be too just to understand how this woman works
just to understand how this woman works
just to understand how this woman works she didn’t believe it either
she didn’t believe it either
she didn’t believe it either no one did but I have news for you guys
no one did but I have news for you guys
no one did but I have news for you guys it happens so the next thing I said to
it happens so the next thing I said to
it happens so the next thing I said to myself is we’re all here the world is
myself is we’re all here the world is
myself is we’re all here the world is still here this miraculous orb in the
still here this miraculous orb in the
still here this miraculous orb in the middle of the solar system or the middle
middle of the solar system or the middle
middle of the solar system or the middle of my solar system sorry to be so self
of my solar system sorry to be so self
of my solar system sorry to be so self referential it is glorious isn’t it and
referential it is glorious isn’t it and
referential it is glorious isn’t it and in my lifetime we’ve been able to put
in my lifetime we’ve been able to put
in my lifetime we’ve been able to put people on the moon in an outer space all
people on the moon in an outer space all
people on the moon in an outer space all over the place
over the place
over the place and we can look back at ourselves now
and we can look back at ourselves now
and we can look back at ourselves now this gives us an extraordinary
this gives us an extraordinary
this gives us an extraordinary perspective and I’m hoping that today as
perspective and I’m hoping that today as
perspective and I’m hoping that today as I talk about the game of our lives and
I talk about the game of our lives and
I talk about the game of our lives and another little obsession that I have
another little obsession that I have
another little obsession that I have which is with our planet and what’s
which is with our planet and what’s
which is with our planet and what’s going on with that planet because of us
going on with that planet because of us
going on with that planet because of us and I mean all of us I’m going to try to
and I mean all of us I’m going to try to
and I mean all of us I’m going to try to leave you with a few ways that are new
leave you with a few ways that are new
leave you with a few ways that are new and refreshing to think about this
and refreshing to think about this
and refreshing to think about this because
because
because that election focused us I think on the
that election focused us I think on the
that election focused us I think on the things that we care about the most in
things that we care about the most in
things that we care about the most in this world and beyond just our children
this world and beyond just our children
this world and beyond just our children and I don’t mean to say just our
and I don’t mean to say just our
and I don’t mean to say just our children are mere children I love my
children are mere children I love my
children are mere children I love my children more than anything in the world
children more than anything in the world
children more than anything in the world I’m very excited someday to be a
I’m very excited someday to be a
I’m very excited someday to be a grandmother but I sure as hell don’t
grandmother but I sure as hell don’t
grandmother but I sure as hell don’t want those kids to grow up in a world
want those kids to grow up in a world
want those kids to grow up in a world that the smartest nerdiest Nobel Prizes
that the smartest nerdiest Nobel Prizes
that the smartest nerdiest Nobel Prizes winningest scientists say is going to be
winningest scientists say is going to be
winningest scientists say is going to be absolutely catastrophic if we don’t stop
absolutely catastrophic if we don’t stop
absolutely catastrophic if we don’t stop spewing carbon into the atmosphere so an
spewing carbon into the atmosphere so an
spewing carbon into the atmosphere so an American presidential election is a
American presidential election is a
American presidential election is a great example of a game you’ve got
great example of a game you’ve got
great example of a game you’ve got winners and losers you’ve got victories
winners and losers you’ve got victories
winners and losers you’ve got victories and defeats you’ve got contests you got
and defeats you’ve got contests you got
and defeats you’ve got contests you got those debates you’ve got points you got
those debates you’ve got points you got
those debates you’ve got points you got the electoral college you got red you
the electoral college you got red you
the electoral college you got red you got blue it really is a game isn’t it
got blue it really is a game isn’t it
got blue it really is a game isn’t it only actually it wasn’t a game at all
only actually it wasn’t a game at all
only actually it wasn’t a game at all because this is life that we live and
because this is life that we live and
because this is life that we live and this is the world that we live in and
this is the world that we live in and
this is the world that we live in and I’ve got news for you that for all the
I’ve got news for you that for all the
I’ve got news for you that for all the intractable and really worthy horrendous
intractable and really worthy horrendous
intractable and really worthy horrendous difficult problems to gnaw on in this
difficult problems to gnaw on in this
difficult problems to gnaw on in this world and they can be terribly terribly
world and they can be terribly terribly
world and they can be terribly terribly important and painful and there’s no end
important and painful and there’s no end
important and painful and there’s no end to them if we don’t have a place to live
to them if we don’t have a place to live
to them if we don’t have a place to live well we might as well be little squirmy
well we might as well be little squirmy
well we might as well be little squirmy amoeba right so the way I see it about
amoeba right so the way I see it about
amoeba right so the way I see it about the fourth thing I said on Wednesday
the fourth thing I said on Wednesday
the fourth thing I said on Wednesday after I woke up to my dear husband was
after I woke up to my dear husband was
after I woke up to my dear husband was you know what mother Nature doesn’t give
you know what mother Nature doesn’t give
you know what mother Nature doesn’t give a crap about us we can continue to send
a crap about us we can continue to send
a crap about us we can continue to send all this carbon into the atmosphere
all this carbon into the atmosphere
all this carbon into the atmosphere that’s fine with her but she’s gonna
that’s fine with her but she’s gonna
that’s fine with her but she’s gonna continue doing what our scientists say
continue doing what our scientists say
continue doing what our scientists say she’s gonna do and so people are gonna
she’s gonna do and so people are gonna
she’s gonna do and so people are gonna go from where we are now to that
go from where we are now to that
go from where we are now to that scenario and any one of
scenario and any one of
scenario and any one of several ways kicking and screaming
several ways kicking and screaming
several ways kicking and screaming fingers in their ears a little more
fingers in their ears a little more
fingers in their ears a little more about that later different people have
about that later different people have
about that later different people have different attitudes on this and in the
different attitudes on this and in the
different attitudes on this and in the election one of the things that I found
election one of the things that I found
election one of the things that I found to be most confounding that became
to be most confounding that became
to be most confounding that became almost a rule if you will to continue on
almost a rule if you will to continue on
almost a rule if you will to continue on the theme of the game of our lives is
the theme of the game of our lives is
the theme of the game of our lives is that people began to ask each other
that people began to ask each other
that people began to ask each other whether or not they believed in climate
whether or not they believed in climate
whether or not they believed in climate change now that’s like asking do you
change now that’s like asking do you
change now that’s like asking do you believe in hemoglobin or do you believe
believe in hemoglobin or do you believe
believe in hemoglobin or do you believe that if you leave your bread out on the
that if you leave your bread out on the
that if you leave your bread out on the counter for 16 days it’s gonna get stale
counter for 16 days it’s gonna get stale
counter for 16 days it’s gonna get stale because you know if you don’t believe
because you know if you don’t believe
because you know if you don’t believe the facts then actually you aren’t
the facts then actually you aren’t
the facts then actually you aren’t playing in that game you’re gonna get
playing in that game you’re gonna get
playing in that game you’re gonna get trounced so the situation is actually
trounced so the situation is actually
trounced so the situation is actually pretty clear the scientists say I’m an
pretty clear the scientists say I’m an
pretty clear the scientists say I’m an English major as you’ve heard so I don’t
English major as you’ve heard so I don’t
English major as you’ve heard so I don’t really even honestly know what a
really even honestly know what a
really even honestly know what a kilowatt is but I do know that we have a
kilowatt is but I do know that we have a
kilowatt is but I do know that we have a simple equation here and it is that we
simple equation here and it is that we
simple equation here and it is that we are putting too much carbon into the sky
are putting too much carbon into the sky
are putting too much carbon into the sky okay and that ends up in the atmosphere
okay and that ends up in the atmosphere
okay and that ends up in the atmosphere and who would want to mess with that I
and who would want to mess with that I
and who would want to mess with that I ask you now to feast your eyes on our
ask you now to feast your eyes on our
ask you now to feast your eyes on our atmosphere it is that glorious
atmosphere it is that glorious
atmosphere it is that glorious glimmering shimmery you couldn’t
glimmering shimmery you couldn’t
glimmering shimmery you couldn’t possibly mean could you make me a scarf
possibly mean could you make me a scarf
possibly mean could you make me a scarf of the atmosphere it’s beautiful who
of the atmosphere it’s beautiful who
of the atmosphere it’s beautiful who would ever want to tamper with that but
would ever want to tamper with that but
would ever want to tamper with that but guess what that’s what we’re doing and
guess what that’s what we’re doing and
guess what that’s what we’re doing and wishing that we weren’t isn’t going to
wishing that we weren’t isn’t going to
wishing that we weren’t isn’t going to make that go away the atmosphere has had
make that go away the atmosphere has had
make that go away the atmosphere has had enough and it is sick of us doing this
enough and it is sick of us doing this
enough and it is sick of us doing this and our scientists say that we are now
and our scientists say that we are now
and our scientists say that we are now entering danger zones tipping tipping
entering danger zones tipping tipping
entering danger zones tipping tipping points are occurring and there’s going
points are occurring and there’s going
points are occurring and there’s going to be
to be
to be I hate to say this but this is what I’m
I hate to say this but this is what I’m
I hate to say this but this is what I’m reading and seeing them say we’re gonna
reading and seeing them say we’re gonna
reading and seeing them say we’re gonna get to some points of no return for
get to some points of no return for
get to some points of no return for example once the ice sheets melt well
example once the ice sheets melt well
example once the ice sheets melt well they aren’t gonna freeze back up again
they aren’t gonna freeze back up again
they aren’t gonna freeze back up again so once the ice sheets start really
so once the ice sheets start really
so once the ice sheets start really melting in a cataclysmic type of way as
melting in a cataclysmic type of way as
melting in a cataclysmic type of way as they are then sea level rise becomes an
they are then sea level rise becomes an
they are then sea level rise becomes an issue now I live on Boston Harbor on the
issue now I live on Boston Harbor on the
issue now I live on Boston Harbor on the ninth floor of an enormous apartment
ninth floor of an enormous apartment
ninth floor of an enormous apartment building and I think pretty soon I’m
building and I think pretty soon I’m
building and I think pretty soon I’m gonna be able to tie up a boat to the
gonna be able to tie up a boat to the
gonna be able to tie up a boat to the balcony so I’m worried about this on a
balcony so I’m worried about this on a
balcony so I’m worried about this on a very personal level but I’m also worried
very personal level but I’m also worried
very personal level but I’m also worried about it on a global level I’m not
about it on a global level I’m not
about it on a global level I’m not saying that you have to be – I’m just
saying that you have to be – I’m just
saying that you have to be – I’m just trying to explain to you what gets me
trying to explain to you what gets me
trying to explain to you what gets me about this fascinating issue more about
about this fascinating issue more about
about this fascinating issue more about that in a minute turns out that 70% of
that in a minute turns out that 70% of
that in a minute turns out that 70% of Americans actually do understand that
Americans actually do understand that
Americans actually do understand that global warming is happening that simple
global warming is happening that simple
global warming is happening that simple equation that I showed you and however
equation that I showed you and however
equation that I showed you and however only 17% of us are urgently concerned
only 17% of us are urgently concerned
only 17% of us are urgently concerned about it and the large majority of us
about it and the large majority of us
about it and the large majority of us really don’t want to talk about it we
really don’t want to talk about it we
really don’t want to talk about it we say no no no no no we don’t want to talk
say no no no no no we don’t want to talk
say no no no no no we don’t want to talk about that
about that
about that why will it’s depressing we’re talking
why will it’s depressing we’re talking
why will it’s depressing we’re talking about like the end of the world maybe
about like the end of the world maybe
about like the end of the world maybe and it’s also scary but I would also
and it’s also scary but I would also
and it’s also scary but I would also tell you that winners do not dwell on
tell you that winners do not dwell on
tell you that winners do not dwell on losers so if we’re gonna lead on this
losers so if we’re gonna lead on this
losers so if we’re gonna lead on this we’re gonna need to put ourselves into a
we’re gonna need to put ourselves into a
we’re gonna need to put ourselves into a winning mindset look for opportunities
winning mindset look for opportunities
winning mindset look for opportunities and understand who the opponent is so I
and understand who the opponent is so I
and understand who the opponent is so I did a little exercise here I made this
did a little exercise here I made this
did a little exercise here I made this slide this is a Sarah finis Robinson
slide this is a Sarah finis Robinson
slide this is a Sarah finis Robinson original and I was just curious to see
original and I was just curious to see
original and I was just curious to see whether anyone ever searches for global
whether anyone ever searches for global
whether anyone ever searches for global warming that’s on the left up there if
warming that’s on the left up there if
warming that’s on the left up there if you can see
you can see
you can see bluh well you’ll see in the past two
bluh well you’ll see in the past two
bluh well you’ll see in the past two years it’s that flatline not too much
years it’s that flatline not too much
years it’s that flatline not too much interest everybody so then I put in
interest everybody so then I put in
interest everybody so then I put in tennis tennis is the red line now we got
tennis tennis is the red line now we got
tennis tennis is the red line now we got a bunch of people interested in tennis
a bunch of people interested in tennis
a bunch of people interested in tennis and then so I put in pizza well of
and then so I put in pizza well of
and then so I put in pizza well of course everyone’s interested in pizza so
course everyone’s interested in pizza so
course everyone’s interested in pizza so that is the yellow line up there and
that is the yellow line up there and
that is the yellow line up there and then you can go and look and see what
then you can go and look and see what
then you can go and look and see what your variables would be but as we
your variables would be but as we
your variables would be but as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday you’re
approach the Thanksgiving holiday you’re
approach the Thanksgiving holiday you’re going to be sitting around the table
going to be sitting around the table
going to be sitting around the table possibly with your crazy uncle Harry and
possibly with your crazy uncle Harry and
possibly with your crazy uncle Harry and you want to know like how would I even
you want to know like how would I even
you want to know like how would I even talk to this person and you don’t want
talk to this person and you don’t want
talk to this person and you don’t want to ruin everything from your for your
to ruin everything from your for your
to ruin everything from your for your mother on Thanksgiving Day trust me on
mother on Thanksgiving Day trust me on
mother on Thanksgiving Day trust me on that one so we need to do a much better
that one so we need to do a much better
that one so we need to do a much better job on communicating everybody and I
job on communicating everybody and I
job on communicating everybody and I think we need to own this for ourselves
think we need to own this for ourselves
think we need to own this for ourselves stop preaching start being a little bit
stop preaching start being a little bit
stop preaching start being a little bit more witty and charming if you can
more witty and charming if you can
more witty and charming if you can possibly be that way and I’ll give you
possibly be that way and I’ll give you
possibly be that way and I’ll give you some tips at the end on exactly some
some tips at the end on exactly some
some tips at the end on exactly some ideas that you can do starting
ideas that you can do starting
ideas that you can do starting absolutely today the big idea is that we
absolutely today the big idea is that we
absolutely today the big idea is that we can all be worried and concerned about
can all be worried and concerned about
can all be worried and concerned about this planet of ours and as far as I’m
this planet of ours and as far as I’m
this planet of ours and as far as I’m concerned we’ve only got one and I’ve
concerned we’ve only got one and I’ve
concerned we’ve only got one and I’ve said that before I call it planet a and
said that before I call it planet a and
said that before I call it planet a and there is no planet B I’m not going to
there is no planet B I’m not going to
there is no planet B I’m not going to Mars and I don’t think you guys are
Mars and I don’t think you guys are
Mars and I don’t think you guys are either and I certainly don’t want my
either and I certainly don’t want my
either and I certainly don’t want my grandchildren growing there because I
grandchildren growing there because I
grandchildren growing there because I like to see them on Christmas morning
like to see them on Christmas morning
like to see them on Christmas morning even though they aren’t born yet so
even though they aren’t born yet so
even though they aren’t born yet so we’re in a race against time I have
we’re in a race against time I have
we’re in a race against time I have swallowed an alarm clock and I suggest
swallowed an alarm clock and I suggest
swallowed an alarm clock and I suggest you all do too and I think we can handle
you all do too and I think we can handle
you all do too and I think we can handle it and we’ve got the technology and the
it and we’ve got the technology and the
it and we’ve got the technology and the people and agreements and the hutzpah to
people and agreements and the hutzpah to
people and agreements and the hutzpah to actually move ourselves to a new clean
actually move ourselves to a new clean
actually move ourselves to a new clean energy world but it’s going to take a
energy world but it’s going to take a
energy world but it’s going to take a little bit of work and attention and
little bit of work and attention and
little bit of work and attention and it’s going to take each other meantime
it’s going to take each other meantime
it’s going to take each other meantime tick tick tick
tick tick tick
tick tick tick we have reports all the time about how
we have reports all the time about how
we have reports all the time about how we are going into a danger zone it’s
we are going into a danger zone it’s
we are going into a danger zone it’s hurricanes it’s
just really crazy storms and there’s
just really crazy storms and there’s another obsession I think you’ve written
another obsession I think you’ve written
another obsession I think you’ve written ever we’re interested in extreme weather
ever we’re interested in extreme weather
ever we’re interested in extreme weather just turn on the news at night and
just turn on the news at night and
just turn on the news at night and you’ll see some stunning examples of
you’ll see some stunning examples of
you’ll see some stunning examples of what’s going on
what’s going on
what’s going on these storms are going to become more
these storms are going to become more
these storms are going to become more and more plentiful they’re very very
and more plentiful they’re very very
and more plentiful they’re very very expensive they’re causing people to lose
expensive they’re causing people to lose
expensive they’re causing people to lose their livelihoods they’re causing people
their livelihoods they’re causing people
their livelihoods they’re causing people to lose their agricultural abilities
to lose their agricultural abilities
to lose their agricultural abilities this is an area in China that has become
this is an area in China that has become
this is an area in China that has become desertified
desertified
desertified that’s a new word for me in the past
that’s a new word for me in the past
that’s a new word for me in the past decade or so so you’ve got people under
decade or so so you’ve got people under
decade or so so you’ve got people under water and really starting to add up in
water and really starting to add up in
water and really starting to add up in terms of money entire businesses and
terms of money entire businesses and
terms of money entire businesses and industries are having to really rethink
industries are having to really rethink
industries are having to really rethink the way that they have done business for
the way that they have done business for
the way that they have done business for example the insurance business
of course standing water such as you see
of course standing water such as you see here Kent is not fit to be to be drunk
here Kent is not fit to be to be drunk
here Kent is not fit to be to be drunk and also who loves multiplying in
and also who loves multiplying in
and also who loves multiplying in standing water
standing water
standing water well mosquitoes so that’s a topic for
well mosquitoes so that’s a topic for
well mosquitoes so that’s a topic for another day but there are public health
another day but there are public health
another day but there are public health issues here and it’s not only our sanity
issues here and it’s not only our sanity
issues here and it’s not only our sanity that’s at stake but you know when you
that’s at stake but you know when you
that’s at stake but you know when you start to advise women not to become
start to advise women not to become
start to advise women not to become pregnant maybe put that off and maybe
pregnant maybe put that off and maybe
pregnant maybe put that off and maybe not go to Miami for New Year’s this year
not go to Miami for New Year’s this year
not go to Miami for New Year’s this year that’s beginning to get to a broader
that’s beginning to get to a broader
that’s beginning to get to a broader public and I think that we’re gonna be
public and I think that we’re gonna be
public and I think that we’re gonna be able to see some some changes happening
able to see some some changes happening
able to see some some changes happening but again it doesn’t have to be so harsh
but again it doesn’t have to be so harsh
but again it doesn’t have to be so harsh and brutal I think that we can all get
and brutal I think that we can all get
and brutal I think that we can all get involved and be helpful here remembering
involved and be helpful here remembering
involved and be helpful here remembering and humbled by the the clear concept
and humbled by the the clear concept
and humbled by the the clear concept that mother nature does not favor the
that mother nature does not favor the
that mother nature does not favor the wealthy and the well-connected and even
wealthy and the well-connected and even
wealthy and the well-connected and even if you live on the ninth floor of a big
if you live on the ninth floor of a big
if you live on the ninth floor of a big building on Boston Harbor or god forbid
building on Boston Harbor or god forbid
building on Boston Harbor or god forbid the 55th floor of Trump Tower this is
the 55th floor of Trump Tower this is
the 55th floor of Trump Tower this is gonna affect you now for you and me and
gonna affect you now for you and me and
gonna affect you now for you and me and for many people it might mean hey we
for many people it might mean hey we
for many people it might mean hey we can’t go to the Louvre in Paris this
can’t go to the Louvre in Paris this
can’t go to the Louvre in Paris this June because they had to move all the
June because they had to move all the
June because they had to move all the collections up to the Attic because
collections up to the Attic because
collections up to the Attic because they’re flooded in the
they’re flooded in the
they’re flooded in the or we can’t go skiing in Vermont this
or we can’t go skiing in Vermont this
or we can’t go skiing in Vermont this year because there’s no more snow in
year because there’s no more snow in
year because there’s no more snow in Vermont so let’s go somewhere else so
Vermont so let’s go somewhere else so
Vermont so let’s go somewhere else so these are first world problems but what
these are first world problems but what
these are first world problems but what happens if actually you have to move
happens if actually you have to move
happens if actually you have to move without any credit card or smartphone or
without any credit card or smartphone or
without any credit card or smartphone or really a pot to piss in what happens
really a pot to piss in what happens
really a pot to piss in what happens then
then
then what happens to all of these people
what happens to all of these people
what happens to all of these people we’re shattering heat records our
we’re shattering heat records our
we’re shattering heat records our climate is changing our world is
climate is changing our world is
climate is changing our world is changing we’re all these people gonna go
changing we’re all these people gonna go
changing we’re all these people gonna go and who’s to say who gets to survive and
and who’s to say who gets to survive and
and who’s to say who gets to survive and who doesn’t wildfires occur when things
who doesn’t wildfires occur when things
who doesn’t wildfires occur when things are dry and so we had even here in New
are dry and so we had even here in New
are dry and so we had even here in New England
England
England this summer epic drought and Fire
this summer epic drought and Fire
this summer epic drought and Fire Marshal’s around the states in New
Marshal’s around the states in New
Marshal’s around the states in New England were very concerned about the
England were very concerned about the
England were very concerned about the lack of rainfall and about their ability
lack of rainfall and about their ability
lack of rainfall and about their ability to fight these fires are ripping through
to fight these fires are ripping through
to fight these fires are ripping through their budgets five times faster than
their budgets five times faster than
their budgets five times faster than they usually did this particular
they usually did this particular
they usually did this particular photograph is of a place in Alberta
photograph is of a place in Alberta
photograph is of a place in Alberta Canada that burned to hell and 80,000
Canada that burned to hell and 80,000
Canada that burned to hell and 80,000 people had to evacuate there so imagine
people had to evacuate there so imagine
people had to evacuate there so imagine what this is like for someone who really
what this is like for someone who really
what this is like for someone who really doesn’t even have a bed and who doesn’t
doesn’t even have a bed and who doesn’t
doesn’t even have a bed and who doesn’t even have a an electric plug or a wall
even have a an electric plug or a wall
even have a an electric plug or a wall to put that plug into and who really if
to put that plug into and who really if
to put that plug into and who really if somebody says hey here’s an air
somebody says hey here’s an air
somebody says hey here’s an air conditioner it’s gonna use that air
conditioner it’s gonna use that air
conditioner it’s gonna use that air conditioner regardless of whether it’s
conditioner regardless of whether it’s
conditioner regardless of whether it’s releasing all kinds of other junk into
releasing all kinds of other junk into
releasing all kinds of other junk into the air well of course they’re gonna do
the air well of course they’re gonna do
the air well of course they’re gonna do that they need a good night’s sleep to
that they need a good night’s sleep to
that they need a good night’s sleep to their kids due to so that they can they
their kids due to so that they can they
their kids due to so that they can they can go to school they can go to college
can go to school they can go to college
can go to school they can go to college maybe they can even come to Middlebury
maybe they can even come to Middlebury
maybe they can even come to Middlebury so who are we to tell them that they
so who are we to tell them that they
so who are we to tell them that they can’t have all that stuff that we’ve
can’t have all that stuff that we’ve
can’t have all that stuff that we’ve been enjoying that has gotten us into so
been enjoying that has gotten us into so
been enjoying that has gotten us into so much trouble here so I ask you that’s
much trouble here so I ask you that’s
much trouble here so I ask you that’s where we have a new phrase it’s called
where we have a new phrase it’s called
where we have a new phrase it’s called climate justice and we are all connected
climate justice and we are all connected
climate justice and we are all connected so I say enough I’ve had it and I’ve
so I say enough I’ve had it and I’ve
so I say enough I’ve had it and I’ve decided to join the winners and that’s
decided to join the winners and that’s
decided to join the winners and that’s why I’m so glad to be part of the
why I’m so glad to be part of the
why I’m so glad to be part of the solution here and it isn’t easy and it’s
solution here and it isn’t easy and it’s
solution here and it isn’t easy and it’s sometimes frustrating and however there
sometimes frustrating and however there
sometimes frustrating and however there are so many solutions even at big
are so many solutions even at big
are so many solutions even at big financial institutions like JP Morgan or
financial institutions like JP Morgan or
financial institutions like JP Morgan or Goldman Sachs or City I will tell you
Goldman Sachs or City I will tell you
Goldman Sachs or City I will tell you that even the Dow Jones has a
that even the Dow Jones has a
that even the Dow Jones has a sustainability index and investors are
sustainability index and investors are
sustainability index and investors are investing in companies and calling to
investing in companies and calling to
investing in companies and calling to heal the large corporations that really
heal the large corporations that really
heal the large corporations that really are not adhering to their commitments to
are not adhering to their commitments to
are not adhering to their commitments to reduce their carbon emissions this is
reduce their carbon emissions this is
reduce their carbon emissions this is going on and regardless of who is the
going on and regardless of who is the
going on and regardless of who is the president the fortune 500 is on board so
president the fortune 500 is on board so
president the fortune 500 is on board so when we made the transition from horse
when we made the transition from horse
when we made the transition from horse and buggy to cars did the people who
and buggy to cars did the people who
and buggy to cars did the people who were in charge of the buggy whips
were in charge of the buggy whips
were in charge of the buggy whips screaming yell well yes they did well
screaming yell well yes they did well
screaming yell well yes they did well that’s just too bad for them so they had
that’s just too bad for them so they had
that’s just too bad for them so they had to go out of business or they had to
to go out of business or they had to
to go out of business or they had to figure out something new to do when you
figure out something new to do when you
figure out something new to do when you live with a winner whether it’s an
live with a winner whether it’s an
live with a winner whether it’s an athlete or a best-selling author
athlete or a best-selling author
athlete or a best-selling author or an actress you learned that they’ve
or an actress you learned that they’ve
or an actress you learned that they’ve got a different way of looking at the
got a different way of looking at the
got a different way of looking at the world they’re always in training they
world they’re always in training they
world they’re always in training they very rarely fall off the wagon
very rarely fall off the wagon
very rarely fall off the wagon they’re always gathering data points so
they’re always gathering data points so
they’re always gathering data points so in the case of a climate scientist it
in the case of a climate scientist it
in the case of a climate scientist it would be metrics analytics data on ice
would be metrics analytics data on ice
would be metrics analytics data on ice core or on you know exact temperature
core or on you know exact temperature
core or on you know exact temperature changes or wind currents champions are
changes or wind currents champions are
changes or wind currents champions are obsessed with variables like this so
obsessed with variables like this so
obsessed with variables like this so that’s one thing that I’ve learned to do
that’s one thing that I’ve learned to do
that’s one thing that I’ve learned to do is to continually just be a rabid
is to continually just be a rabid
is to continually just be a rabid devourer
devourer
devourer monster on every bit of data I can get
monster on every bit of data I can get
monster on every bit of data I can get and you will find that a lot of these
and you will find that a lot of these
and you will find that a lot of these climate scientists and professors are
climate scientists and professors are
climate scientists and professors are really intent on helping us all
really intent on helping us all
really intent on helping us all understand so that we can tell the story
understand so that we can tell the story
understand so that we can tell the story better and spread the word so in order
better and spread the word so in order
better and spread the word so in order to have the kind of world that we all
to have the kind of world that we all
to have the kind of world that we all might like to have with clean energy and
might like to have with clean energy and
might like to have with clean energy and health and sanity and with everyone
health and sanity and with everyone
health and sanity and with everyone having access to the conveniences of a
having access to the conveniences of a
having access to the conveniences of a modern world we’re gonna want to really
modern world we’re gonna want to really
modern world we’re gonna want to really pay attention to what’s going on with
pay attention to what’s going on with
pay attention to what’s going on with companies like Tesla for example and the
companies like Tesla for example and the
companies like Tesla for example and the investments in renewables that we see
investments in renewables that we see
investments in renewables that we see happening all over the world and around
happening all over the world and around
happening all over the world and around us green building infrastructure you all
us green building infrastructure you all
us green building infrastructure you all have access to all of this you’re very
have access to all of this you’re very
have access to all of this you’re very fortunate so go find out you know what
fortunate so go find out you know what
fortunate so go find out you know what what is that what is that big belching
what is that what is that big belching
what is that what is that big belching building that you have over there called
building that you have over there called
building that you have over there called the recycling center what’s it doing
the recycling center what’s it doing
the recycling center what’s it doing what are the impacts of that it’s all on
what are the impacts of that it’s all on
what are the impacts of that it’s all on the Middlebury website it’s really quite
the Middlebury website it’s really quite
the Middlebury website it’s really quite extraordinary and it’s one reason why
extraordinary and it’s one reason why
extraordinary and it’s one reason why I’m so proud of my affiliation to this
I’m so proud of my affiliation to this
I’m so proud of my affiliation to this great College we mustn’t let this get us
great College we mustn’t let this get us
great College we mustn’t let this get us and the stakes could not be higher so
and the stakes could not be higher so
and the stakes could not be higher so like it or not we have the perilous
like it or not we have the perilous
like it or not we have the perilous fortune to have been born right now and
fortune to have been born right now and
fortune to have been born right now and this is our moment and this is what’s
this is our moment and this is what’s
this is our moment and this is what’s going on so I ask each of you and I’m
going on so I ask each of you and I’m
going on so I ask each of you and I’m sorry to say the word so so much but
sorry to say the word so so much but
sorry to say the word so so much but what are each of you gonna do and you
what are each of you gonna do and you
what are each of you gonna do and you don’t have to answer that today I hope
don’t have to answer that today I hope
don’t have to answer that today I hope I’m just planting a seed because you
I’m just planting a seed because you
I’m just planting a seed because you know tonight when you look up at the
know tonight when you look up at the
know tonight when you look up at the moon you’ll see it’s a full moon how do
moon you’ll see it’s a full moon how do
moon you’ll see it’s a full moon how do I know that because last month at this
I know that because last month at this
I know that because last month at this time it was a full moon and the month
time it was a full moon and the month
time it was a full moon and the month before that it was a full moon – we
before that it was a full moon – we
before that it was a full moon – we actually scheduled my daughter’s wedding
actually scheduled my daughter’s wedding
actually scheduled my daughter’s wedding on that very night because it would be a
on that very night because it would be a
on that very night because it would be a full moon and we scheduled that 15
full moon and we scheduled that 15
full moon and we scheduled that 15 months earlier than that because we knew
months earlier than that because we knew
months earlier than that because we knew that was the Saturday in the month of
that was the Saturday in the month of
that was the Saturday in the month of September that would be a full moon
September that would be a full moon
September that would be a full moon is that not awesome that’s nature
is that not awesome that’s nature
is that not awesome that’s nature everybody so we’re smaller than that and
everybody so we’re smaller than that and
everybody so we’re smaller than that and we’ve got to start respecting the kind
we’ve got to start respecting the kind
we’ve got to start respecting the kind of rhythms and patterns that we see
of rhythms and patterns that we see
of rhythms and patterns that we see unfolding all around us all year every
unfolding all around us all year every
unfolding all around us all year every day every minute of every day and if
day every minute of every day and if
day every minute of every day and if that isn’t enough to get you out of bed
that isn’t enough to get you out of bed
that isn’t enough to get you out of bed in the morning I don’t know what is
in the morning I don’t know what is
in the morning I don’t know what is right now what we’re doing is we’re
right now what we’re doing is we’re
right now what we’re doing is we’re driving toward a cliff at ninety million
driving toward a cliff at ninety million
driving toward a cliff at ninety million miles an hour and guess what we’re gonna
miles an hour and guess what we’re gonna
miles an hour and guess what we’re gonna just fly right off that cliff and go
just fly right off that cliff and go
just fly right off that cliff and go boom if we don’t all start paying more
boom if we don’t all start paying more
boom if we don’t all start paying more attention to this it’s inevitable in the
attention to this it’s inevitable in the
attention to this it’s inevitable in the end it has to do with all of us wanting
end it has to do with all of us wanting
end it has to do with all of us wanting the change so I invite you again to
the change so I invite you again to
the change so I invite you again to think about what you can do now this
think about what you can do now this
think about what you can do now this woman she gets it her whole house she’s
woman she gets it her whole house she’s
woman she gets it her whole house she’s up to her waist in water so she
up to her waist in water so she
up to her waist in water so she understands now this guy clinging to a
understands now this guy clinging to a
understands now this guy clinging to a signpost he gets it now maybe he didn’t
signpost he gets it now maybe he didn’t
signpost he gets it now maybe he didn’t before so it is the game of our lives
before so it is the game of our lives
before so it is the game of our lives everybody hears a mantra you could use
everybody hears a mantra you could use
everybody hears a mantra you could use no waste just think about that now
no waste just think about that now
no waste just think about that now next time you brush your teeth next time
next time you brush your teeth next time
next time you brush your teeth next time you wash your hands do you really need
you wash your hands do you really need
you wash your hands do you really need to leave that faucet running the entire
to leave that faucet running the entire
to leave that faucet running the entire time trust me I did this willy-nilly for
time trust me I did this willy-nilly for
time trust me I did this willy-nilly for years for decades didn’t think about it
years for decades didn’t think about it
years for decades didn’t think about it not not for not a bit but now I do and I
not not for not a bit but now I do and I
not not for not a bit but now I do and I think you will too if you just start
think you will too if you just start
think you will too if you just start getting in the habit of it and then I
getting in the habit of it and then I
getting in the habit of it and then I would think where do you have clout
would think where do you have clout
would think where do you have clout where do you have influence in your life
where do you have influence in your life
where do you have influence in your life you know you might have little brothers
you know you might have little brothers
you know you might have little brothers and sisters kids are really good at
and sisters kids are really good at
and sisters kids are really good at plucking their grandparents so if you do
plucking their grandparents so if you do
plucking their grandparents so if you do and you see them over at Thanksgiving
and you see them over at Thanksgiving
and you see them over at Thanksgiving tell them stick them on your on your dad
tell them stick them on your on your dad
tell them stick them on your on your dad or on that crazy uncle Harry of yours
or on that crazy uncle Harry of yours
or on that crazy uncle Harry of yours because kids understand what’s going on
because kids understand what’s going on
because kids understand what’s going on and they have a way of being able to
and they have a way of being able to
and they have a way of being able to change the bad habits of the adults in
change the bad habits of the adults in
change the bad habits of the adults in their lives
their lives
their lives start where you are you know maybe
start where you are you know maybe
start where you are you know maybe you’re a teacher maybe you’re an
you’re a teacher maybe you’re an
you’re a teacher maybe you’re an accountant maybe you’re a photographer
accountant maybe you’re a photographer
accountant maybe you’re a photographer maybe you’re an investor
maybe you’re an investor
maybe you’re an investor wherever you are you have a chance to
wherever you are you have a chance to
wherever you are you have a chance to plug climate every once in a while not
plug climate every once in a while not
plug climate every once in a while not by being obnoxious but you know just
by being obnoxious but you know just
by being obnoxious but you know just figure out a way to kind of get it in
figure out a way to kind of get it in
figure out a way to kind of get it in there you’ll have fake data you’ll have
there you’ll have fake data you’ll have
there you’ll have fake data you’ll have facts to use so use them if you’re ready
facts to use so use them if you’re ready
facts to use so use them if you’re ready to get a new car maybe consider an
to get a new car maybe consider an
to get a new car maybe consider an electric car or consider not getting a
electric car or consider not getting a
electric car or consider not getting a car at all maybe you don’t need one
car at all maybe you don’t need one
car at all maybe you don’t need one maybe we all don’t need so much maybe
maybe we all don’t need so much maybe
maybe we all don’t need so much maybe that word enough can be a new word that
that word enough can be a new word that
that word enough can be a new word that we can all believe in so I want to thank
we can all believe in so I want to thank
we can all believe in so I want to thank you all so so very much I’ve really
you all so so very much I’ve really
you all so so very much I’ve really enjoyed being here today and I hope that
enjoyed being here today and I hope that
enjoyed being here today and I hope that I’ve given you just a little bit of
I’ve given you just a little bit of
I’ve given you just a little bit of factual information in a way that you
factual information in a way that you
factual information in a way that you can take it act on it and believe
can take it act on it and believe
can take it act on it and believe yourself to be true Thanks
yourself to be true Thanks
yourself to be true Thanks [Applause]
”
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