Climate Stories Driving Change

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MELISSA’S STORY

My name is Melissa Carlson and I come from California, San Francisco Bay Area. I came to Rochester Area because I wanted to explore the country and live in a snowy place. My income producing job is being an architect. My non-monetary jobs are running a community garden, helping local farmers with Community Supported Agriculture, helping lead my small church, working with refugees, and running Roctricity.

I wish for cleaner energy because I want a balanced relationship with the earth as the foundation for all of our living and my favorite part about renewables in New York is that we have the capacity and the interest to produce renewable energy.

Conservation and frugality is my lifestyle, first noted by folding and saving gift-wrap paper as a child, and being impressed by the Native Americans who used every part of a buffalo.

Growing up in California made me aware of water use. I still am careful about running water when I wash dishes or laundry and have a rain barrel for summer plants.

Looking at the many options of doomsday scenarios is depressing and paralyzing, so I am learning to think of what I can do to love the life I have and enhance the region where we live. I aim to buy and eat local organic food. I compost as a means of diverting garbage from the landfill. I got solar panels and was one of the first in my city to buy a hybrid car in 2000. I don’t like to ‘go shopping’ so I make my own things and search out low impact climate friendly options when I do purchase new.

If I could do anything to help mitigate climate change, I would spread knowledge. Knowledge of the importance of our impact. Knowledge of the capacity we have as individuals to make changes, and that importance.

I most enjoy working with my hands in a group of people, while having meaningful conversations.  I home-schooled my 2 children and enjoy new experiences of anything.  I invite strangers to live in our house. Also farming, planning (anything), spinning wool, playing with children, canoeing, talking to my family, cooking food I grew. I enjoy being busy! I’m always “busy”, with my hands and my mind.