On January 20, a coalition of 17 organizations across Montana convened in Helena, centering climate stories and action at the Capitol’s very first Climate Advocacy Day. The rally drew over 300 attendees from throughout the state, including Billings, Livingston, the Flathead, Butte, Bozeman, and Missoula. Singing songs and welcoming speakers from around the state, we gathered to have a public conversation about climate change in one of our most important public spaces–our state government. 

I was super-excited to hear that Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is offering free HEPA air purifiers for all K-12 schools in the state--what an excellent way to ensure clean air for our kids during wildfire season and beyond! But when I asked the principal at my son't school to order them, it quickly became clear to me that school administrators are swamped, and that ordering these air purifiers might fall through the cracks. No problem: I offered to order them myself.

In 2021, the MT Legislature took the power to regulate single-use plastics away from cities and towns. It’s time to get it back. Contact Missoula City Council members in support of a resolution submitted by our Plastic Working Group declaring Missoula’s support for statewide legislation restoring power to local governments to regulate single-use plastics.

From the Missoulian, Jan. 20: “Under banners saying “Protect Our Home,” climate change advocates rallied at the state Capitol Friday, blasting inaction on climate and demanding politicians move on solutions.

“The Climate Advocacy Day featured a panel discussion with legislators, a climate fair and roundtable with activists, but it was a noon rally attended by nearly 300 people that anchored the event as attendees pushed their message of urgently needed action.” Read the full story.

By Sarah Aswell | Missoula Current

As a comedian and community organizer, I do think there are places comedy shouldn’t go… But when it comes to talking politics, taking on sensitive topics, and making fun of our most terrifying current issues, comedy isn’t just okay, it’s imperative.

This Giving Tuesday, we are asking for your support to help us break climate silence and build momentum for bold climate action in Montana. Here are some ways you can join our community for stories, skills, advocacy, and action.

A critical part of building a livable future for all involves learning, unlearning, and confronting difficult truths about our past. It is only when we dispel our myths and take an honest, critical eye to our stories that we can authentically begin the work of reconciliation, reparation, rebuilding, and realizing a truly livable future for all.

We have gathered this (non-exhaustive) list of resources to help guide us on this journey of learning, unlearning, confronting, connecting, and taking action.

Our children need us to address the climate crisis now. Donate today to support our work to break climate silence in Montana and build momentum for bold action. Through December all donations will be matched, up to $5,000!

Families for a Livable Climate and Stories for Action are looking for Montana storytellers and artists to contribute to our Montana Climate Stories project. Selected storytellers will receive $100 for their submission, and their story will be featured on our website, social media, and may be included in a traveling exhibit of stories in 2023. Priority submissions deadline: January 7, 2023. Final Deadline: January 30, 2023.