Climate change is real and there is certainly no debate on that. Science has decided that, whether global warming deniers or skeptics choose to accept it. Of course, the major key to resolving the climate crisis is to get everyone on board with the cause and on the same page with their beliefs.
Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews has once again shared his views on climate change, and he’s made his plea to people on both sides of the debate. This is exactly what he hope to see from big time pro athletes like Jonathan Toews, using the tremendous platform he possesses to project a powerful social message.
Toews’ timing could not be better, as Thursday was disastrous for the eco-movement. POTUS Donald Trump made the horrific decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate agreement.
The U.S. now joins Nicaragua (who’s out of the accord because they don’t think the pact goes far enough in trying to prevent disastrous climate change) and Syria (who have larger, more immediately pressing problems at the moment) as the only other major developed nations out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
The next day, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt, who may just be the biggest climate enemy possible and thus a horrific choice for this position, refused to say whether President Trump still believes that climate change is a hoax.
Jonathan Toews first spoke out about eco-matters, during the NHL’s first-ever Green Week; saying:
“I started to learn where my food comes from, and one thing led to another, and I grew passionate about learning about environmental changes and climate change and the energy that we use, food and water consumption,” Toews told For the Win. “Sometimes, I think we live in a world where we’re so disconnected with that. We don’t really realize, we don’t see it first hand, we don’t feel the aftermath of our lifestyle.”
Do you believe in climate change? Whether you're super pumped that we are putting 'Americans… https://t.co/U4ix4jSkHl
— Jonathan Toews (@JonathanToews) June 2, 2017
This time he posted the following message on Instagram Friday.
Do you believe in climate change?
Whether you’re super pumped that we are putting ‘Americans first’ or you are absolutely outraged at the idea that we are taking yet another step backwards in dealing with a major global problem, the only way to solve this argument is to try and set your own agenda aside and see how this affects everybody.
The only lie we tell ourselves is that we are more special than other life forms on the planet.
Well, we’re not. Even if we weren’t responsible for any major climate catastrophes heading our way, shouldn’t we still do our part to preserve what we have left?
The same way that we shouldn’t wait till our bodies break down completely to start doing the right things to stay healthy, let’s not wait till it’s too late to do something. I am not saying I am perfectly ‘green’, but the first step is to keep an open mind and try to learn what you don’t already know.
Well done Jonathan Toews! What a great role model he’s being here for not just other star athletes but to all the kids who look up to him.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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