A Family Meeting about the Climate Crisis
I recently led an online gathering for family and friends to think about how we can organize ourselves to work on the climate crisis.
The idea came to me while I was discharging about a decision to play as big a role as I possibly can in regard to the climate crisis. Shortly after making the decision, I realized I needed to add a second part—to not do it alone. I had already made various decisions to “not do it alone,” but this time something shifted for me. I realized that I’m holding back on [avoiding] taking initiatives and leadership because doing so has meant “doing it alone.”
The commitment—to play as big a role as possible, not do it alone, not let isolation stand in the way, and discharge whatever is necessary to do it—is new to me. New and powerful.
As I made this decision, a first step became apparent. Because I hadn’t figured out what I was going to do as part of playing as big a role as possible, and because I had decided not to do it alone, I needed others thinking with me. I decided to call together people close to me and my family, let them hear my thinking, and have all of us think and listen about our next steps in regard to the climate crisis. I also realized that I didn’t have to organize the gathering alone, so I asked my sister and parents to help invite friends and relatives.
We were surprised by the enthusiastic response. Twenty-eight people wanted to participate!
The gathering started with everyone getting to connect in breakout rooms. They shared how they were doing and something they liked about the world. After that I talked about my decision to play as big a role as possible in regard to the climate crisis and to not do it alone. I said this was an open invitation to them to do this work with me. I also talked a little about climate change and why it is so crucial that we all think big, act powerfully, and do it together. We need to do something, and we don’t have to be alone in it.
After my talk I explained how to take turns thinking and listening. Everyone got to do this in response to what I had talked about and how we might organize to fight climate change. There were seven to ten people in each group. I planned the groups so that they would work well for everyone. After the groups, several people shared one of their “take-aways.” Some stayed after the ending and talked with me, asking me questions about my thinking. People in at least one of the groups have had contact since the gathering and might meet again to organize around the climate crisis.
A highlight was my granddad calling me an hour after the gathering and telling me how great it was. He said that he had kept thinking after the meeting and was “on board the train.” (He is neither an RCer nor a climate activist.)
It seems apparent that lots of people want to work together to change the world and prevent climate breakdown. Heavy hopelessness, discouragement, and isolation get in the way. The big struggle ahead is to organize and unite people, against and in spite of isolation. Because we RCers understand hopelessness, discouragement, isolation, and how to discharge these hurts, we are poised to lead here. We might have to be the ones to take the lead.
I will try and stay committed to thinking and acting bigger and bigger and bringing more and more people with me. This gathering was my first step, and soon I will take my second. What’s your next step?
Höör, Sweden
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders of young people
(Present Time 203, April 2021)