By Annie Antonacos
“You are a good person.” “Thank you for all you do.” “I’m so glad you do all this good work, because I am stretched so thin right now.” These are things people say to me on a monthly basis. As if I had served my country fighting in some distant war. But it’s not a battle on foreign soil they’re referring to – it’s democracy.
A healthy democracy requires citizen participation.
Voting, yes. But also communicating with elected officials on issues we care most passionately about. Some months, that boils down to about 30 extra seconds of my time: I call my senators and leave a message asking them to support carbon pricing. That’s it, I’m done! Then I go back to my life that looks like everyone else’s – overcommitted, juggling work and family, keeping my household fed (mostly).
In a good month, I also write a letter to the editor, or ask a business leader for an endorsement, or participate in a lobbying meeting or two.
I’m one of 200,000 volunteers across the country for Citizens’ Climate Lobby. We’re from all walks and political stripes of life. A generation ago, being a volunteer for a cause in the community was a given. It has been steadily declining for many years, except for a surge after 9/11. In 2015, the rate of volunteering reached an all-time low of 24.9%.
We know that volunteering makes us happier.
And I’m worried about the future of our democracy if most Americans don’t use their voices. There are, of course, so many forces against us. Our work follows us home, we’re more involved in daily parenting than we used to be, we have less access to affordable childcare, etc. It’s not our fault that it’s hard to find time for causes beyond our own families and careers. But we need to commit to making room in our lives for active democracy. For what our ancestors fought for, and so our children will follow our example.
The small act of citizen participation I mentioned earlier will have a greater impact than ever before this November. Contact your lawmakers and ask them to support a price on carbon: cclusa.org/white-house.
This is the closest we’ve been in a decade to passing this momentous policy, and we can’t wait another decade to take effective action against climate change. So, friends, pick up that phone!
Annie Antonacos teaches at the USM Osher School of Music, co-founded 240 Strings, and loves cross-country skiing.
