I Can’t Think of Anything I’d Rather Do
In November 2012 I heard Bill McKibben of 350.org speak on the “Do the Math” tour. That was the spark that led me to decide to help everyone around me face the reality of the climate emergency and move to action.
Having a big goal helped me to start taking steps and to see that there are thousands of possible steps.
Once I tried something, I learned and moved. Then by being in a new position, I could see other possible actions. (I highly recommend beginning by just taking one small step!)
After organizing a loose network in my local community to build awareness about the climate crisis as a social justice issue, I helped to found a new organization. After consulting extensively with people working in other agencies and organizations, it seemed that there was a need for it—and I was the person with enough room in her life to take on the major responsibility for it.
When I started, I was paid part-time for doing the work. Since 2020, I’ve been paid for thirty-two hours a week. I’m proud to be able to support my daughter and myself as a climate leader and single mother. But it’s likely I could not have done it without the financial support of family members over the years.
Since it was formed in 2016, Regeneración—Pajaro Valley Climate Action has become a significant organization that has helped others in our region center their climate work on justice.
These are some of the ideas I hold out:
1) Everything we do matters. Every bit of warming we prevent will help protect someone’s life or health.
2) We are part of what we are fighting to protect. This work can be joyful and fun.
3) Facing the harsh reality together can leave us feeling hopeful and optimistic.
4) Talking about the climate crisis with friends, family members, colleagues, neighbors, and so on, is one of the most important actions we can take.
5) Those of us who have extra resource can give money—to organizations working directly on climate change or toward renewable energy infrastructure. Resources have been systematically stolen from low-income communities of color over centuries. We can help return what was stolen.
6) Because all human activities take place in a changed climate, everything will be affected. We can center our climate action on what we are passionate about—public health, sports, educating children, the arts, and so on. We can link what we care about to the climate crisis and start talking and organizing around that.
I have not focused on becoming a scientific expert. Unfortunately, I must spend a huge amount of my time raising money to continue doing the work.
I keep facing my grief and shock about the deterioration of the environment, facing early feelings of powerlessness, and doing whatever I can figure out to try.
I have made many new friends through my climate work and love being part of a huge, vibrant, international movement for justice.
I’ve always loved the perspective of keeping one foot in RC and one foot in the wide world. I’m a better RC leader for having taken on wide world leadership, and I’m a more effective wide world leader for having discharge, liberation frameworks, and the support of many Co-Counselors.
I can’t think of anything I’d rather do with the rest of my life than try everything I can think of to help ensure that life continues on this magnificent Earth. And I’m glad to be side by side with all of you!
Watsonville, California, USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 207, April 2022)