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New s
Street Roots • April 6-12, 2018
Raising
the next
generation T
of planet
protectors
Mary DeMocker’s new book highlights 100 ways
families can join the climate revolution without
breaking the bank, losing sleep or terrifying kids
BY EM ILY GREEN
S E N IO R S T A F F R E P O R T E R
ime-strapped parents often approach Mary
DeMocker at fossil fuel blockades and pipeline
protests, wanting to know a few quick actions they
can take to help avert climate change.
Over the years, DeMocker, a mother of two and
co-founder of 350.org’s Eugene chapter, began to make a
mental list of suggestions for those parents. That list of
ideas eventually culminated into a book, “The Parents’
Guide to Climate Revolution: 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-
Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good
Mary DeMocker
Night’s Sleep,” to be released by New World Library
later this month.
It’s not another to-do list of home maintenance and lifestyle
changes aimed at shrinking your family’s carbon footprint.
Hanging your laundry out to dry and trading your car for
a bike are not the most effective ways for busy
parents to combat climate change, DeMocker said.
Instead, she offers a menu of activities
aimed at attacking the root causes of our
fossil-fuel-addicted culture while also
providing tips for fostering family
connectedness and raising free-
thinking and innovative
children.
While some chapters
focus on promoting climate
literacy in our schools or
ensuring you’re ready for
th e next extreme-weather
event, others offer ways to
inspire children with
environmental success
stories and a clear path
See CLIMATE, page 5
TOP 5 WEBSITES FOR CLIMATE-FIGHTING FAMILIES
In “The Parents’ Guide to Climate
Revolution,” author Mary DeMocker
points to a plethora of online resources
for parents. These are her favorite
websites for getting families educated
and engaged in their climate future.
StoryofStuff.org
Visit this site to watch easy-to-understand
and entertaining shorts that explain topics
such as cap and trade and Citizens
United.
B O O K C O V E R C O U R T E S Y O F N E W W O R L D LIB RA RY
P H O T O O F M A R Y D E M O C K E R (T O P )
B Y J O N A T H A N B. S M IT H
Brainson.org
Visit this site to listen to a science
podcast for kids.
350.org
This is the world’s largest climate
activism organization, with chapters all
over the world. Visit this site to learn
about the grassroots climate justice
movement nationally and in your
hometown. A chapter-locator map will link
you to local campaigns.
EarthGuardians.org
Earth Guardians is a youth movement led
by Xiuhtezcatl (pronounced Shoo-tehz-
caht) Martinez. Martinez is a 17-year-old
hip-hop artist/activist who works to
mobilize youths to “become the ones
we’ve been waiting for” to defend the
planet. Visit the site’s Action page for
ideas on how to get involved.
OurChildrensTrust.org
Our Children’s Trust is a nonprofit based
in Eugene. Visit this site to learn about
youth-led legal campaigns in 12 countries
and to watch short, inspirational
documentaries about the kids in the U.S.
who are using litigation to make adults
lower their greenhouse gas emissions.