On the May 23, 2024, episode of The African Variety Show, host Dr. Jules Wetchi talked with Sophi Veltrop and Kashka Orlow, members of Vermont’s Climate Change Action Office. Watch the episode:
Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly today and even more tomorrow. Significant impacts of climate change include changing weather patterns, rising sea level, and more extreme weather events. The greenhouse gas emissions from human activities that drive climate change continue to rise and are now at their highest levels in history.
Without action, the world’s average surface temperature is projected to rise and is likely to surpass 3 degrees Celsius later in this century—and some areas of the world expected to warm even more. The poorest and most vulnerable people are being affected the most.
Sophi Veltrop joined the Climate Action Office in 2023 to support community engagement and communications efforts. In this role she collects and shares public input about climate action and climate-related policy with decision-makers. Her role also includes making State of Vermont climate information meaningful and accessible to Vermonters. Sophi’s background is in nonprofit communications and engagement. She has worked for various land conservation organizations and in extracurricular education. She lives in Woodbury.
Kashka Orlow is a consultant with the Consensus Building Institute working to support the efforts of the Climate Action Office. She is an activist and a mother. As an immigrant, she can personally relate to many of the struggles and challenges that immigrant and low-income communities face. Her goal is to help uplift the voices of those who are not represented in state and local government. In order for laws, policies and programs to reflect these voices and to help those who are most vulnerable, we must first speak up. She lives in the Old North End in Burlington with her two daughters. If you see her out and about come and say hello!
For more information visit Climate Change in Vermont
A useful page is Mileage Smart
To reach the Climate Action Office, call 802-404-2729.