Flickr: Wonderlane
Shit’s hit the fan here in New York City. Well snow, actually, but you get the picture.
We’ve just been hit by what was supposed to be the worst blizzard in New York history. Experts expected 2-3 feet of snow and 30-40 mph winds. For us New Yorkers, things haven’t turned out quite as extreme as the predictions. But it’s still ice cold outside. Brrrrrr.
I have to confess- I was a little excited when I heard about the blizzard. I’m from California and snow storms like the one we’re having are still somewhat of a novelty to me. And best of all, I get to work from home today. Typing from the comfort of my sofa, snuggled up in my cozy socks and stretchy pants, and having constant access to snacks is like a dream come true.
I have to actively remind myself, though, that not everyone is able to say the same.
In my neighborhood, there are maybe 2 or 3 people that I regularly see sleeping on the street, usually underneath one of the awnings of a nearby church. Already this winter, they’ve had to endure stretches of freezing cold temperatures. I’m worried about the implications that this storm could have on their health and safety.
But today I was encouraged by a story that one of my colleagues shared with me.
Enter Anonymous, a “hactivist collective” known for taking down the websites of organizations it takes issue with. Past victims have included the Ku Klux Klan as well as the Church of Scientology.
For its second year in a row, Anonymous is working to tackle a different issue: the plight of the homeless. Through its campaign Operation Safe Winter, its activists are working to help those living on the street by encouraging people to donate resources such as blankets, sleeping bags, or warm clothes.
The campaign’s facebook page also shared some other suggestions, like “start small.” It advises connecting to local organizations to see if there are specific areas they need help with such as food or blankets. It also suggests donating toys, since kids living in shelter have few possessions.
The dangers of extreme weather aren’t limited to the homeless, though. My colleague, Kathleen Ebbitt, said it best:
Think about cold weather as creating a kind of environmental classism. For low-income people in the United States and globally, energy costs are rising at a higher and faster rate than overall household incomes...In many cases they can create a downward economic spiral where inability to afford proper heating leads to higher health costs which further hurts the ability to afford appropriate shelter and leads to worse health conditions and so on and so on.
Extreme weather and its effect on the poor is a serious problem that must be addressed. So what can we do to help the less fortunate in our communities deal with these frigid temperatures?
As Anonymous pointed out, donating items and reaching out to local organizations is huge. But you don’t even have to go that big- how about offering a smile or words of encouragement the next time you encounter someone living on the street? Respecting everyone’s human dignity can provide some social warmth.
Sometimes being a global citizen starts in our local communities. Let’s do what we can to support one another this winter season :)
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