In the month of November there is no shortage of things going on! The time change and earlier sunsets, holidays and observances, and a cadence to life that quickens until the end of the year is here. Not to mention a deeply consequential election, but we won’t get into that.
Our energy is focused on celebrating the Climate Hero of the Month, the incredible Monterey Buchanan!
Monterey grew up in Denver, and has a life-long love of animals and appreciation for Colorado’s mountains and abundant sunshine. Her interest in environmentalism was kicked off by shows like Kratts’ Creatures where she learned about animals losing habitat and the things people could do to help. As a child she saved her allowance to symbolically adopt an elephant—her first act of environmental activism.
As Monterey grew up and honed her writing talent and disability identity (she is legally blind and has cerebral palsy) she brought these elements of her identity into her activism. She wrote letters to The Denver Post and took a college course on climate and politics. After earning her BA in English from Earlham College in 2012, Monterey continued to support environmental causes including gathering signatures for two fracking ban initiatives in 2016, and writing a middle grade fantasy manuscript at her Regis University MFA program in which a girl with cerebral palsy saves her town from a contaminated water supply by teaming up with a group of fairies. Monterey earned her MFA in 2019 and hopes to publish the manuscript.
So when Monterey met with the Movement Building & Volunteer Director, Chelsea Alexander, in January 2022 she was already well immersed in the realms of activism. At the time, Chelsea had only been in the role for a few months, so many things were still quite new. And sitting down with Monterey provided a warm and supportive connection that last beyond that month or year.
“Monterey’s background in organizing and supporting other groups was so inspiring,” said Chelsea. “She came into the conversation with a vision for what she wanted to contribute and that was in writing regularly, which is always an on-going need for any advocacy group.”
From there Monterey got right into it! She joined the Newsletter Committee and began writing pieces about a number of topics and issues.
Writing for the 350 Colorado newsletter and blog is a natural and joyful extension of Monterey’s environmental work. She is proud that her words have not only informed, but spurred readers to action on this issue. In her words, she is always interested in the ways disabled people can contribute expertise and passion to the climate movement, not just be the counterargument for straw bans.
“Monterey writes with the courage and conviction that is needed for us to navigate these compounding crises,” said our Communications Coordinator, Ciara. “Through reading her work, you can tell that she’s devoted to helping others access the ‘what now’ that lies beyond the ‘oh no, this climate situation is really bad.’ Monterey is so generous in sharing her helpful, strategic tips on specific actions we can take to live in the here and now, taking accountability for our own roles in changing the ways we live to better align with the planet.”
Take a look at some of Monterey’s recent articles and find some new tips for doing what you can, where you can, when you can!
- Climate Activism for Beginners (7 Ways to Get Started)
- Colorado Climate Change Book List: Understanding Climate Issues in New & Creative Ways
- How I Connect With Nature As A Disabled Person
- The Marshall Fire Brings the Climate Crisis Home
- What is Just Transition & What Does It Mean for Colorado?
- The How-Tos of Public Transit: 7 Tips for Beginners
As an educator as well, Monterey is a member of PERA, the state’s funded pension program for teachers, administrators, and those involved in our school systems. To this day PERA board members continue to discredit and deny that climate change is a relevant threat to take into consideration for their investments, doing a disservice to everyone who has invested in this program. We ask that if you’re a PERA member you join us in keeping the pressure on to see that they do the right thing!
Monterey shared that she is thrilled to be the Climate Hero of the Month, and hopes to continue her work for 350 Colorado for a long time. If you want to read more of Monterey’s work, you can visit her website and Facebook page. We are equally thrilled to have been working together these last years and have learned so much by your example, Monterey. Thank you for everything you do to consistently put in the work and make a difference in Denver and beyond!
– Written by Chelsea Alexander and Ciara Guerrero