Climate change can be defined differently by each of you. But, what does it really mean? In the heat of politics it is the feud between clean energy, fossil fuel energy and green energy. (Those all can be hard to define). For you as an individual it may mean how the environment, you exist in, impacts your health. For many it is clean fresh untainted air that has the fragrance of nature in its most perfect form.

Looking through the lens of reality however, clean air is a luxury. For the low income individual it is a luxury to have a central air conditioning system and new filters. The fact is that pollution is in every breath of air that most of the US population takes in. As for living in the most pristine areas of the country the cost of living will take most folks out of contention. Living and working in a suitable location for months, year after year, will not exempt the general population from the negative effects of climate change.

For many years it has been predicted that the ice caps will melt and the level of the oceans will rise. We are seeing evidence of that with the recent flooding & with the shifting of the tectonic plates which are causing tsunami’s and earthquakes. We have seen recent earthquake activity in California and Alaska. Is it important that we not live in fear of these catastrophic occurrences which effect a very small part of the population? Yes, of course. But, let’s see what goes on in the life of the low income homeowner who is concerned with the increasing cost of basic physiological needs including food and water. We have had a tremendous influx of calls from folks who not only cannot keep up with their homes but the rising cost of all goods and services which are making them fearful of going bankrupt or being homeless.

The effects of climate change and the effects of raising cost to the average homeowner have little correlation simply because of the probability of which will come first. Life in the Midwest and specifically Kansas & Missouri where all of our charitable work is done currently has been impacted by flooding but, the thought of the sea raising and flooding us out is way beyond the realm of probabilities. The probability of an earthquake is also fairly farfetched since the New Madrid fault might impact neighboring states more so than Missouri. However the 1811-1812 event was significant and needs be remembered and monitored. These events, though significant, are insignificant for the clients we serve.

Climate change has a greater impact on what it is doing to impact the cost of living for those people we serve. The cost of water, gas, electricity, phone service and healthcare to start. Business is impacted by the same things but has the ability to trickle their costs down to the consumer or through reduced cost of operation. Good “Business Acumen” suggest both channels should be scrutinized always. But, for example, Mr. X and neighbor Mrs. B who are both retired and are still able to do for themselves with little need to purchase outside help. The ability to bring in more revenue is impossible. A 2% increase in social security income (COLA) does not overshadow the 10-20% increase in cost of living including basic physiological needs. Doing without is no longer an option and at an all-time high. The next choice is to eliminate maintenance of their living quarters and further to their healthcare. HPLA Charities is doing all it can to fill in the gaps. We do it with volunteer labor and your donations to buy supplies. No overhead is paid out of your donations. All your donation dollars go to benefit the low income homeowners we serve.

Picture yourself self being hit with a $1000.00 unexpected or planned sewer line clog. Picture yourself having a rainstorm breach your roof and bring gallons of water into your bedroom, kitchen or bath. Picture your self-having a grease fire and your insurance deductible requires you to pay $500.00. The fire department may send you a bill.

HPLA Charities will do the work we do for free, to those who qualify. But we cannot provide all the labor and all the materials. We need you to please help us with the cost of materials at the least. Please go to our donate tab in the ribbon above and give a large donation. That may be $5.00 to you. That might be $25.00 for another but, together it adds up to hundreds of dollars which allows us (HPLA) to help someone stay in their own home one more month or one more year. Your day is coming and I pray HPLA Charities will still be there for you. If you can only offer to help by adding your name to our volunteer list than we are grateful and will praise God for you. Just call Bob 913-269-4450

Be Blessed.