I visited Naples 15 years ago (coming from Saskatchewan Canada) and felt that this was the place I wanted to call home. I made a plan to one day live here. Seven years after that visit I left my home, my job, my family of 4 children and 3 grand children, my friends, my comfort zone, and followed my dream to move to Naples.
A little over 2 years ago I read the book 'The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight' by Thom Hartmann, an impressive exploration of historical human culture and its future. I was awakened to what is really happening to our environment, the facts of increasing global warming, and the consequences facing the human race and infact all life forms, if we do not start conserving all of the earth's natural resources. My life was about to change.
The top scientists are now all saying that global warming is happening and that humans, responsible for much of the carbon buildup in the atmosphere, to an alarming 375 ppm, are not heeding the warning signals. Something must change!
I organized a Stepitup rally at the Pier, April 14 2007, one of over 1400 rally's across the nation, asking Congress to cut Carbon emissions 80% by 2050. Over 500 people attended and with the Drumming Circle drumming at sunset, we vowed to do our part in making south Florida a cleaner environment, and to take this message to Government to step up to their roll. I also had a Trade Show called 'Naples a Leading City' bringing awareness to green businesses and the roll that Naples needs to play in climate action.
I have started a citizens and business network called 'Naples Network for Climate Action', dedicated to bringing education, awareness and climate action to Naples. With the City now having signed the US Climate Action Agreement, and now having taken its carbon footprint, we are ready to start making Naples and surrounding County a 'greener', more sustainable environment.
Personally, I am very conscious of my carbon footpring and the fact that I want to leave this earth a better place than I found it.
Anyone wishing to join me and NNCA in this wish, can contact dianner@hotmail.com or nnca@live.com
More about Dianne
In Canada I raised 4 wonderful children with the help of their father in a 31 year marriage. My work experience included time as a Cashier and a Hostess at the Sheraton Cavalier,management at the Hudson Bay, some time with the Royal Bank, and 17 years managing Saskatchewan for Mark Anthony Brands. I was very active with the Brownies and the Girl Guides, The Cancer Society, the Heart Foundatiion and helping my husband with our motorcycle business.
Here in Naples I try to balance working in homecare with seniors and my very busy 'volunteer' new career in educating and informing us about Climate Action. Over the past two years I have participated in a few forums and seminars, Climate Action in Miami, FGCU-Global Warming Solutions for America, Scientists and the Media in St Petersburg, and Focus the Nation at FGCU.
I am active in starting an organization called Florida Climate Alliance, with representation from across Florida, starting with Grass Roots Groups, up to scientists, and then to Governor Crist's Office.
This past spring I needed to balance my climate action with some spirituality and so I attended a forum in Costa Rica called the Alliance for a New Humanity with Deepak Chopra and other spiritual leaders.
More about Naples Network for Climate Action
Dianne Rhodes, Barbara Glasgow, Cloe Waterfield, Dana Schultz, Kendra Hermans, Shannon Danford
'Because power comes with knowledge, we pledge to educate the citizens of Naples about climate issues through newsletters, e-mail action, speaking at events, and any other way that seems useful.'
We are a group of Citizens and Businesses (now over 200 strong), urging our local government to take prompt action to reduce causes of climate change.
We have encouraged the City of Naples to hire Cloe Waterfield and with the financial help of Audubon and the Conservancy, do the ICLEI carbon audit. Now completed, a city departments task force will be set up to start implimenting steps to cut our carbon footprint. Collier County Council now has just approved doing the same audit.
Other actions that we are looking at are 1) a ban on plastic bags being used in grocery and drug stores, 2) a citizens advisory group working with City Council, 3) the possibility of a Naples 'Green' Business Partnership 4) starting a 'Green Cafe' featuring a speaker, green project and/or green ideas.
