“Start Somewhere and Keep Going”
I didn’t know what to do about the climate emergency. I discharged a lot of very early discouragement and read everything that came my way. As far as I remember, what got me going was something Tim (Jackins) wrote a few years ago: “Do something; do anything. You don’t have to know what to do. Start somewhere and keep going.”
So I decided to use what I had, including my voice and RC tools, wherever I could. Some experiments flourished; some did not go so well.
One thing I did was write about climate and Jews in the local Jewish newspaper. It became a series of articles drawing connections between Jewish values, anti-Semitism, racism and other oppressions, and the climate crisis. Through that I met a young activist who suggested that we do a workshop for climate activists about anti-Semitism and a workshop at our synagogue about the climate emergency, which grew into an environmental committee at the synagogue. I’ve been able to support this person to become an active member of a local climate group.
I talk to bus drivers, strangers at bus stops, and everyone I know. I’ve had to learn to ask a question and just listen. It seems that people are now more eager to talk about the climate emergency because of the exceptional heat, wildfires, storms, and more.
It is helpful to Co-Counsel regularly on this with others who are also active.
Canada
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 207, April 2022)