Moving beyond Feelings into Action
The following is my latest attempt to communicate some RC theory to a non-RC audience in the context of moving into action on the climate crisis.
Do you realize how precious life is? There are a hundred billion stars in each of a hundred billion galaxies—and our star, the sun, is located such that it provides just the right energy to create the conditions on Earth for an incredible diversity of life to flourish.
For a long time, humans were few enough in number and made small enough messes that the interconnected life systems of our planet were not threatened. But humans eventually began upsetting the balance.
The use of fossil fuels, beginning in the Industrial Revolution, made life more comfortable for some people and led to some remarkable technologies. However, it also exacerbated existing imbalances, sparked unchecked greed, and set in motion a chain of reactions that has brought us to the brink of catastrophe. The Earth’s life systems—including air, water, and soil—are now in peril.
Many people, particularly Indigenous leaders, have spoken out over the last five hundred years against these developments. Indigenous people have always known that all life is interconnected. The recklessness of settler/colonialist policies was obvious to them. Now many people in hundreds of countries agree that it’s dangerous to continue using fossil fuels. Clearly the sensible thing to do is to stop using them.
So why aren’t we being sensible? Why aren’t we meeting the crisis?
I think many of us feel powerless and helpless. We may also feel discouraged. We may be exhausted. We may be heavy with grief about the destruction of the environment. Such feelings can make it difficult for us to act—and act together, in large enough numbers to protect life. We can look at these feelings.
POWERLESSNESS
Most of us feel like our individual actions don’t make a difference. We fail to recognize our inherent power. We don’t notice or we dismiss our influence, positive or negative, on the situations around us.
Reality: Each of us is inherently powerful. We have tremendous potential to influence everything around us.
Antidote: Go ahead and do something. Observe what happens, both in you and to the external situation. You may experience a surge of energy or inspiration as you realize you can influence a situation.
HELPLESSNESS
We may feel stuck, paralyzed, and unable to move our body or our thoughts. We may feel that everything is impossible and that it won’t make a difference to try anything.
Reality: As adults we can now function independently. Most of our helpless feelings are left over from childhood, when we were dependent on others to stay alive.
Antidote: Speak! Write! Act! Ask for help! Saying or doing something will lead to new thoughts and actions.
ISOLATION
Many of us can’t shake off a chronic feeling of being alone in the world. We try hard to carry on [keep going] each day and to maintain a hopeful perspective. But it can be difficult to hold on to positive thoughts without any “word from the outside.”
Reality: There are almost eight billion humans, many of whom are within arm’s reach or at least within shouting distance. Every person is a potential friend or ally.
Antidote: Whenever you feel stuck, helpless, or can’t think of what to do, connect with someone, even for a few minutes, or simply meet someone’s gaze when you pass them on the street. Your mind will work better after you have connected with another person.
GRIEF
I often feel an overwhelming despair as I face the extent of environmental destruction in today’s world. Do you?
Reality: Earth’s systems are reacting in predictable ways to the amount of carbon in the air and oceans. But we are not doomed to die prematurely and extinguish all life on Earth. The way we feel now is mostly about earlier painful times that we still carry with us, likely because we faced those times alone.
Antidote: Fully face the despair, release the grief, and in doing so maintain the ability to keep looking at hard things. We do not need to be afraid of feeling deep, painful feelings. Being willing to face seemingly unbearable sadness will also allow us to experience joy. Best of all, we don’t need to face hard things alone. Ask a friend to bear witness and sit next to you, or meet with you on Zoom, while you voice your fears and grief.
DISCOURAGEMENT
We may feel discouraged about the future and defeated before we even begin a campaign.
Reality: It’s logically impossible to be discouraged about something that hasn’t yet happened.
Antidote: Remember that the future is not determined. Feelings of discouragement must be related to something that happened before, not something that has yet to occur. Remind yourself of this continually.
EXHAUSTION
“Burnout” is common among people who act to change things. It can feel exhausting to write one more e-mail, organize one more event, or read one more news story.
Reality: We are living beings. We need rest, nourishment, exercise, and relaxation; and we may have experienced past situations that were overwhelming.
Antidote: The future needs us alive and healthy, so we can keep meeting the challenges of the day. Just like birds take turns being the leader in a migrating flock, you can step back as needed to rejuvenate. And staying connected with others who share your perspective, and can show caring concern, can make all the difference.
STAYING CONNECTED AND TAKING ACTION
The next two to ten years will likely determine the conditions on Earth for millennia. Please share these ideas. Stay connected with others who are fighting to keep our planet livable. Don’t let your feelings stop you from acting. Do something every week for a livable planet. If you can’t act on your own behalf, please act for the younger generations.
USA
Reprinted from the RC e-mail discussion list for leaders in care of the environment
(Present Time 208, July 2022)