Ingrid Rogers spotlights climate activists in new book

It was her grandchildren that led long-time educator Ingrid Rogers to become a climate activist and ultimately write her twelfth book, Facing the Climate Future Together: Voices for Advocacy and Action.

“Instead of writing a book about climate change, I wanted to give individual people a voice — both leaders and everyday people.,” says the Menlo Park resident. “Through a series of Zoom interviews, we discussed why they became climate activists. The goal is to create paths for us to do our part working together.

“The first chapter focuses on a circle of friends who participate in a climate strike every Friday in Palo Alto (pictured, Ingrid with brown sign).”

She writes on her website: “Participants in the interviews were chosen somewhat arbitrarily. I started talking to a few people involved in climate action whom I knew personally. They recommended others, and those, in turn, more. Everyone had contacts to networks. Writing the book felt like entering an ever-growing circle, connecting with people pursuing a wide variety of interests. What we all had in common was a passionate desire to protect the environment, face the climate crisis, and be guardians of the planet so that future generations could thrive.

““Each chapter features four to six people who agreed to be interviewed. Between the chapters are creative pieces for readers to ponder — songs, poems, artwork, and short plays for street theater or group readings. I wrote these Interludes to motivate us for climate action. Together, we join our efforts like members of an orchestra, each playing our instrument the way we know best. ”

Ingrid will be selling her book at a discount this Saturday at the Love Our Earth Festival in Menlo Park.

Photos courtesy of Ingrid Rogers; second photo Ingrid is pictured with John McKenna, chair of Menlo Park’s Environmental Quality Commission