We, the concerned citizens of our nation and our planet, have a chance to make our voices heard during the critical UN Climate Summit in Paris (COP21) which begins the end of this month.

There are many powerful ways to love and protect Earth and all her beings, and now is a critical time.

We invite all concerned citizens to come together to generate a powerful collective energy focused on a strong and effective climate change agreement.

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As a global community we have the technology, we have the opportunity, and what we need now is the political, collective will and spiritual courage to act decisively to change course.

We can gain great strength by knowing that people of all traditions are doing these things together, all around this Earth.

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What follows are some suggestions of things to do during these two weeks to add your voice of support.

1. Join a Global Climate March: On Sunday, November 29th, we invite you to gather individually, as a family, or in your special group, and join a Global Climate March in a town or city near you. We can contribute to the Climate March our collective energy of peace and stillness, enjoying every step with freedom and deep connection to the Earth. You can find a march near you or create an event of your own; visit secure.avaaz.org/en/event/globalclimatemarch/?blog.

2. Meat and Dairy Fast for Two Weeks: For the duration of the Paris Climate Summit, from November 30th to December 11th, IF YOU CAN, enter a fast from meat and dairy products. Eating in this way nourishes our energy of compassion, and we can send this energy to support the Paris negotiations. Most of our Greenhouse gas emissions come from our food production, especially the animal factory farms.

3. Wear a Green Ribbon: For these two weeks, from November 30th to December 11th, wear a green ribbon to raise awareness amongst those around you, of your compassion in solidarity with the Earth and all her peoples during this time.

4. Get Together and Learn More: We encourage you to read more about climate change and how it will impact your community and your children’s future.

5. Make a Commitment: We encourage you to reflect on your abilities, privileges, and care for life. Given that many are and will suffer from climate impacts, what is your responsibility to them? How can we take our fair share of climate risk and discomfort? From this contemplation, make a commitment to take concrete, meaningful steps to join with others in ending broad scale ecological harm and creating a peaceful, just world. Create a campaign of writing op-eds, organizing your neighborhood to go solar or invest in urban farming, stage a peaceful direct action, challenge workplace practices or learn about local environmental justice issues and offer your time and skills to these causes.

These suggestions have been adapted from “Global Climate Prayer” at oneearthsangha.org/programs/global-climate-prayer.

Susi Lippuner is concerned citizen who resides in Truckee and is passionate about environmental and climate change issues. Email her at ecotoning@gmail.com.