(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The topic surrounding the Earth, its heating climate, and what we can do about it, is a daunting conversation for many, but a select few throughout Colorado Springs are championing the conversation and advocating for the planet. John Schoch is a 38-year Navy veteran and for mer Department of Defense employee who focused on counter-terrorism efforts throughout his career, but since retirement, he has taken up a new form of service - advocacy. "I had some personal experiences with the consequences of climate change," Schoch said. "My elderly parents were evacuated by boat twice from floods in upstate New York, where floods never used to happen. I, myself, was on pre-evac for the Black Forest Fire in 2013. Once I retired from the very busy job that I had, I started digging into the science on climate change." Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell Schoch said that Bill Gates' book, "Avoiding the Climate Crisis," was his first exposure to the actual science of climate change. "On page five of that book, I ran across the name of a friend of mine that I had in the U.K. when I was stationed over there. His name is David J.C. Mackay," Schoch recalled. "The shocking thing... was the adjective 'late' in front of David's name." Mackay was the former British Senior Advisor on Climate and Energy who was knighted by the British government. Since Mackay's death, Schoch was moved to carry on his climate work. "I spent my whole career working against terrorism, and then I've seen in our own society the polarization and the extremism on the rise. Why are we wasting so much time on these kinds of ideological squabbles when the dragon that's going to incinerate us all... is climate change, if we don't get our act together?" In September 2024, Schoch founded his company, Colorado Climate Advocates LLC. Schoch describes it as a "not-for-profit" business, selling t-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, and more with the phrase, "Fight climate change, not each other," and donating any profit made to climate education and advocacy groups throughout Colorado. One of those groups is the climate team for Colorado Public Radio. Schoch admits his goals are lofty, but he hopes to encourage conversation and individual action by setting up a table in front of willing businesses and approaching people as they pass by. "I had one fellow who came by... and he said, 'Well, you're trying to do the impossible.' I said, 'Yeah, that occurred to me as well,'" Schoch said. "But I re-thought that. No, it's not impossible. It's an improbable possibility, and it's impossible only if we don't give it a shot." Schoch is one of many throughout Colorado Springs who want to fight to protect the natural beauty of our planet. 350Colorado is a statewide climate advocacy group, while 350Colorado Springs focuses specifically on "decarbonizing" the Pikes Peak region. Courtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora MitchellCourtesy: FOX21 News Photojournalist Cora Mitchell "Having more public transportation, more walkability, more bikeability, that's a pretty growing campaign at the moment." said Chelsea Alexander, Movement Building and Volunteer Director with 350Colorado. Alexander finds Schoch's mission admirable. "There's not, as far as I know, a lot of 'Johns' out there doing that. He's building up a lot of, I think, powerful energy, and helping expose... issues to people that probably need it." Alexander said. 350Colorado Springs meets monthly and is open to anyone with a desire to fight climate change, join in activism and be involved. Grassroots organizations, such as 350Colorado, are important and growing in popularity in the world of advocacy for any cause. "People really come to grassroots issues because they see changes that need to happen in their community or in the world at large. So, it really is just... reassuring to know that people I'm working alongside are doing this because they care." Alexander said. 350Colorado participates in frequent lobbying to local lawmakers to see bills passed or blocked. Schoch also lobbies alongside the Pikes Peak chapter of the Citizen's Climate Lobby. In a democracy, where speaking up for one's beliefs are sacred, these advocates are speaking up for the entire planet. "The antidote to despair is action. And, going to one protest or signing one petition isn't necessarily going to be... what creates that everlasting change, it contributes towards it. But I think if people can... shift their mindset about how they show up to grassroots organizing, I think that's going to be the most powerful thing that can happen." Alexander said. "Let's raise money for climate advocacy and let's talk to people about... getting on board with pumping the brakes on climate change." Schoch said. Schoch says his goal is to talk to 2,000 people on the streets of Colorado Springs by mid-2025, but ultimately, to fight climate change, not each other. ...read more read less