…like a woman scorned. Although playwright William Congreve was writing about a human, I’m writing about another woman this July: Mother Earth. Along the Western US, drought rages and devastating fires threaten. In Central California, scientists studying some 1,200 years of tree rings predict that this year will be hottest. NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) predict another above-normal season for Atlantic hurricanes. The Arctic is warming faster than any other region on Earth due to greenhouse gas emissions.

Get the picture? Mother Earth can’t remain resilient unless we, her children, become serious about climate change and DO our part. Forget the dithering in political reluctance. This July, each one of us can do our part to reduce our carbon footprint. If shopping for a car, buy an electric or hybrid car. Put solar panels on your roof if that’s possible. Switch to more efficient light bulbs. Drive fewer miles by consolidating trips. Eat less red meat (we actually found Beyond Burger® to be tasty). Pay attention to which companies are taking active measures to create clean energy and let them know you are watching. Plant succulents. Lastly, water is a finite resource. From short showers low flush toilets, we can all do something.

Your Mother thanks you.