My Climate Activism Story
My climate activism goes back as far as my earliest days in RC. I had already been exposed to environmental issues in non-RC workshops focused on fighting environmental degradation in the oil-rich Niger Delta. I had been the first to correct people who did things that negatively affected the environment—throwing garbage out the window of a moving vehicle, blocking drainage, defecating in open spaces, dumping waste in our waters, using nylons (polyethylene) to wrap foods, wasting energy (for example, not turning off the light bulbs), wasting water (for example, not turning off the tap), and so on.
Re-evaluation Counseling enhanced my interest in the subject and got me closer to understanding the issues and how to talk about them. I quickly embraced the ideals and became a self-appointed ambassador of Sustaining All Life. I would follow the page on all social media platforms and do write-ups and share posts that taught about care of the environment. Janet Kabue’s quick understanding of climate change issues inspired me. [Janet Kabue is the Apprentice Commonality Reference Person for Care of the Environment.] I’d write her to have sessions on how to be active in the campaign.
When I became an Area Reference Person, I started initiating RC events on the climate crisis and the environment. Because I knew it was better to catch people [involve people] when they were young, I started going to schools to create awareness about the environment. I partnered with several school principals, and some members of my RC Community and I took turns teaching the pupils about care of the environment. We organized a listening project on the topic, and the feedback was impressive. My focal points became the “three R’s”: Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce.
I came to realize that for my efforts to have effect, I had to begin with myself. So I learnt how to use mosquito nets instead of insecticides. I learnt to drink water without buying new supplies of bottled water. I learnt to separate my waste and dispose of it in separate bags. I would turn off light bulbs I was not using. And I became more prudent in using water and more conscious of planting trees. I’ve planted about fifty trees in the last ten years. I’m still planting more. And I engage in safe and healthy agricultural practices.
I am happy to say that I have been invited to groups and associations to give talks on care of the environment. And in my Community, we have a “climate moment” in our monthly RC classes.
I’m on it [doing it], and I’m still learning.
Enugu, Nigeria
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 207, April 2022)