Josh Lent attended the Bow climate strike on September 21 with a work colleague, and he has also become active in the effort to halt the Granite Bridge Pipeline. Josh was offered the role of photographer on the day of the Bow climate strike and has shared the attached pictures - one attending the “March for Science” in Portsmouth, NH in April of 2017, and the other of his family relaxing. In his day job, Josh is an engineer at a medical device company.
350NH: What is your connection to 350NH?
Josh: I have been aware of 350.org for years and learned more recently about 350NH. I reached out and attended launch party in Dover prior to the climate action on September 21 and attended the weekly organizational calls. I was able to be part of the organizational process and to feel well-prepared for the day.
350NH: Besides the organizational calls, how did you prepare yourself for the September 21 climate action?
Josh: I attended a day of training that included learning about civil disobedience as well as about direct action, which involves taking a risk to draw attention to the climate crisis that might lead to arrest. The training was eye-opening and comprehensive. It covered everything from pure organization, to experiencing how you might feel under pressure through targeted exercises, to learning what direct action could entail, including possible arrest and the need for legal counsel.
350NH: What did you experience on the day of the climate strike in Bow?
Josh: I felt empowered, rejuvenated, and purposeful. I saw a large spread of ages and types of people from little kids to seniors. The day felt very inclusive and collaborative through the whole process. The leaders of the group went out of their way to listen to everyone. The organization was structured so that individual strengths were drawn upon – everyone is not good at everything. I am an amateur photographer and served as photographer assigned to communications team for the day. I photographed the rally, then followed the direct action team as far as the railroad tracks across the street dividing the climate strikers from the Bow Power Plant. I was surprised at how many roles were filled by people attending the event, including roles of legal observer, police liaison, publicity liaison, and many other roles I hadn’t known existed.
I also give kudos to Bow police department for their organization that anticipated the crowd and was respectful of the climate strike groups. A number of other towns were involved as well as railroad police and the sheriff’s office.
350NH: Could you explain what climate justice means to you?
Josh: To me, climate justice means not having to push science. Science directly informs polices and general practice. Climate justice also means not marginalizing anyone based on race, ethnicity or income. The aid that follows extreme weather events in low income and communities of color is deficient compared to higher income white communities. We saw that in Hurricane Katrina. Environmental Racism is not something that is in the nightly news, but it happens everyday. There is already a big separation of populations by economic status in the US, and climate change acts as a lever to push populations even further apart economically.
350NH: What is your next step to promote climate justice?
Josh: Aside from continuing with the actions in Bow, I’m volunteering time to stop the Granite Bridge Pipeline. I’ve petitioned candidates, put up signage and had many one-on-one conversations to inform people about the project. As a mountain biker in Exeter, I ride trails that would be impacted by pipeline – that is just an example of how this pipeline would affect large groups of people in New Hampshire.
We need to be focused on a transition to 100% renewables, and the Granite Bridge Pipeline will just set us back. The majority of Natural Gas is sourced by fracking. I just can’t believe there is a process out there that injects unknown chemicals into the ground to put gas out. At the end of the day, you have released a greenhouse gas and poisoned a section of earth where the water is not longer drinkable. It’s nuts.
Recently I was a volunteer at an event at Newmarket Stone Church to petition Dan Feltes, candidate for Governor, and Mindi Messmer, candidate for Executive Council District 3, to promote the climate agenda. I wish that the greater community that is not engaged in climate activism could connect with who we are and see that we aren’t extremists but reputable community members. I hope this blog can also help connect activists with others to promote more understanding and outreach.
350NH: What type of person is the typical climate activist?
Josh: Climate activists can include local religious leaders, candidates for office, professors at UNH, small business owners, and families. We saw a number of families with small children at the Bow climate strike. Several of the community leaders who took part in the direct action at Bow were arrested, along with others and are facing charges.
350NH: What actions do you think each of us can do to assist in halting climate disaster?
Josh: Don’t go with the flow. Stepping back, we live in a very comfortable time in history. Everything is at our fingertips and we are at a point where the natural environment is still good looking and enjoyable; at least in the seacoast NH region. Ignorance is definitely bliss. We need to stop ignoring our contribution to the climate crisis and pay attention to the signs of change.
People can assist in stopping climate disaster by stopping their everyday routine, educating themselves and getting involved. I’m not new to being concerned about the environment, but I am new to activism. Starting with 350NH, I’m reaching out to surround myself with people who are better trained and more experienced at climate activism than I am. I learned a lot of new things quickly, like the theory of Nonviolent Direct Action. Some other aspects of climate activism are slowly rubbing off on me, such as participation in Nonviolent Direct Action.
350NH: Why are you committing your time to climate activism?
Josh: I’m doing this for the next generation - for my daughter. I want her to have a just world to grow up in. I fear for her generation and want to make the changes needed for her safety and well being.
I just can’t believe the United States is where it is today. We are an outlier. I could not have imagined the assault on science or the lack of human decency that shape our current times. The only way is to be informed, stay true to the Golden Rule, inform others and resist.
