How can an individual make an impact on climate change?
A Uni student doing an assignment on Sustainability approached me recently with this question. At first I thought I’d be able to reel off a lot of ideas. But even after preparing some detailed notes before our interview, my thoughts didn’t flow easily. So I decided to have a second go at answering – in writing – this question (that all of us get asked regularly) :
WHAT TO DO – in the outer world?
Take CARE of yourself: be well-fed, well-rested, well-exercised
Grow FOOD, bring others with you in this
Build COMMUNITY consciously by sharing common interests
Minimize WASTE, including packaging. Join a composting arrangement
Consume CONSCIOUSLY, acquire only what you need
Use your MONEY strategically – DIVEST from fossil fuels
Join SUPPORT groups, value sharing your experience with others in a similar situation
Build PEOPLE POWER by collaborating with others
Debrief and plan, using LISTENING PARTNERSHIPS (confidential swapping of time allowing pairs to express and be heard fully without interruption or comment)
Question and challenge the ECONOMIC SYSTEM and CONSUMPTION, seek out local economy activities
Respect and learn from INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES on stewardship of the earth
Understand issues of INEQUALITY and climate injustice. Connect these systemic problems with the BEHAVIOURS AND FEELINGS of individuals
Use REFLECTION to become aware of what DRIVES us as individuals (greed, fear, hopelessness, despair, rage, joy, love, hope) and listening partnerships to process these feelings
AGITATE governments and industries, don’t remain silent
HOW TO BE – in our inner world?
Get into new HABITS, be open to other ways of doing things
Hold ATTITUDES that support your engagement with the situation we’re in (hope, optimism, empowerment, appreciation, valuing self and others)
Remember your PASSION for creating a better world (when did you feel this as a young one?)
Overcome NEGATIVITY in yourself; create or find a foundation of ethics, sociality, creativity, collaboration
CONNECT with people – be interested in everyone – they might turn out to be your best ally
Get ALONGSIDE others – collaborate, inspire, follow – this multiplies our energy and impact
Use tools for RESILIENCE as an individual and in groups
Include everyone in the setting you find yourself in; build on commonalities to create pop-up COMMUNITIES
Kit Shepherd, Convenor Transition Bondi Oct 2018