I Was Worried About Climate Change. Then I Made a Plan.

by Katie Straub Hutton, Resilient Neighborhoods Graduate, Terra Transformers Team
When it comes to taking action on climate change, my problem was never a lack of understanding. It was an emotional barrier. I kept feeling… paralyzed. Stuck in that awful, numbing feeling that nothing I do could possibly matter. I’d hear of more wildfires and extreme heat and fall into a depression. I’d read about the rolling back of critical climate policy, and I’d feel… just plain sadness. It’s a helplessness that I am sure many people feel. When the problem feels impossibly big… well, it’s not exactly motivating. What could I possibly do?

Last year, I summoned the energy to talk with my local City Council about their climate actions, and I was delighted to learn that they have a robust decarbonization plan. They have been doing great work at the municipal level to meet 2030 climate goals—electrifying city-owned vehicles, passing green building codes to create new low-emissions buildings, and more.

But there’s a problem: Cities in Marin are maxing out on what they can do alone. It’s time for citizens to step up. The majority of the emissions in Marin come from buildings and cars… and most of those buildings and cars are, of course, owned by residents. If we want to make real change, it comes down to individual actions. Resilient Neighborhoods was recommended by the city as the single best place for citizens like me to start. I signed up immediately. 

Resilient Neighborhoods was an antidote to my climate anxiety. I remember showing up on Day 1, looking into the smiling faces of other Marin citizens like me. I realized that many other people care about these issues in my community, and we can work together and help each other. It made me feel empowered instead of helpless, in community instead of alone. With that validation and support, my paralysis on climate action started to fall away—and I am so grateful for that.

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The results from Katie's Resilient Neighborhoods Team

The program gave me the tools I needed to make my own climate action plan, stay motivated, and tackle the highest-impact actions without getting confused, distracted, or overwhelmed. The best part? I can access my climate action plan anytime over the next few years. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but my plan keeps me focused as I tick off long-term actions over time.

For example, my husband and I just got solar and battery storage at our house—about a year after the RN program—and now our entire home generates clean power, and we no longer pay electricity bills! It’s so satisfying to keep making progress, and I know my actions are making a real difference. Think global. Act local. That’s what Resilient Neighborhoods is all about. 

If you want support, encouragement, and community in taking actions like this, sign up for Resilient Neighborhoods. I know my fellow RN graduates and I would love to help you on your journey! :)