” Climate change is the most significant challenge humanity has ever faced and our only way to solve it is as a collective. “
My friend was sitting at the traffic lights when the people in the car next to her started dumping their takeaway rubbish out their window. She turned to them and gently said: “Hey, put your rubbish in the bin.” Their response? Throwing all the BBQ sauce, they had left at her car. Then they proceeded to intimidate her on the road after the light went green. A truly bizarre experience and yet, as she told me, all I could think about was climate change.
There is a new gang taking to the streets with their focus on combating the end of the world as we know it. The noblest pursuit of all if you ask me. If you think I sound dramatic, that’s completely understandable. Today, our language is so overused for effect with everything pumped full of ‘OMG’ or ‘literally the best’ energy. Married with social media, this results in diluting the severity of some words when we hear them making us desensitised, overwhelmed and immune. You see, we have a crisis on our hands, but we hear about them so often, this doesn’t quite strike us in the way it once did. But it should, and it needs to in this case. We don’t have a choice; we have a limited amount of time to save the planet. It sounds like some low budget Hollywood film, but no, it’s real life, and unfortunately, there isn’t some gallant young steed cast who is going to rock in on horseback and save us all in the end.
But make no mistake. This is not a recent issue. There are many regions already feeling the severe impacts of climate change. There are also many individuals and groups who have been tirelessly lobbying for substantial government and public intervention, prevention and support. For them, this issue is anything but new. As new organisations have popped up to attend a global strike, I have no doubt the originals are slow clapping among a variety of other sentiments. We live in a world where those least affected usually hold the most power. This means they typically fail to act until it impacts them directly. Climate change is the most significant challenge humanity has ever faced and our only way to solve it is as a collective. It is there, in my opinion, lies the real challenge.
As you can see, never mind the reusable coffee cups, not everyone is even interested in disposing of their waste in a bin. Some would prefer the criminal option rather than take affirmative action. It got me thinking about what’s the biggest obstacle facing us working together on this? And by us, I mean those of us who are not already doing something about it, who need mobilising. The first thing that comes to mind is fear of change. You know, everyone gets comfortable with their way of living and no one cares for anyone to alter that without their consent. Even then, it doesn’t make it a whole lot easier. But I think for many, in this instance, it is deeply rooted in shame.
“Our actions define us, not our preferences or personal tastes.”
Perhaps I am entirely wrong, but if we admit there is a problem, we must acknowledge we have caused it; whether consciously or not. That brings out the opposite of pride, and we know how people are about their pride. It seems to be of extreme importance to us and is often a barrier to us moving forward in the right direction. We spend far too long trying to mask our insecurities by forming our identities through somewhat superficial things. For example, our profession, musical tastes or sport team preferences and heaven help anyone who tries to challenge them it seems. As they say, don’t get in an argument about religion or politics and rightly so. You will be debating against someone’s core beliefs, and that’s one nerve, people go out of their way to defend from being hit. Although these are deeply important to some, compared to the continuation of the world, they are no match. There will be no earth for them to exist.
However, it is our actions that define us, not our preferences or personal tastes. We have also grown up in a society where we are punished for the wrong actions. Whether it’s violence, crime, infidelity or copying someone’s homework, it doesn’t matter the level of wrongdoing; we’ll be called out for it. And we live in a world where for the most part, that brings shame. As one of my friends said, shame can only exist if there is another person involved. Why? I think because of judgement. That brings shame. It’s why I personally think Queer Eye is so popular, because The Fab Five never, ever judge. Instead, they create a safe space, and the same should apply here. We might feel ashamed, but we could also be making someone feel judged, whether consciously or not and look at how transformative the non-judgemental approach is.
“Let’s stop shaming and judging ourselves and each other and let the positive changes flow.”
In the case of the BBQ Sauce Bandits, despite her intention, I think my friend made them feel ashamed. They responded by attacking her, rather than admit any wrongdoing. Anger can be quite the defence mechanism. And that’s what we are up against, people in extreme denial and those throwing their hat at it. They will choose this rather than concern themselves with changing their ways or consider future generations. We will also be met with people right along the spectrum. You have people who cannot relate with those taking to the streets over climate change so will join more subtle movements. There are those only getting on board with it because it’s popular now. This is probably the only time I won’t care if that’s their motivation as long as it’s a positive outcome for the planet.
Researcher Brené Brown, who studies shame, says: “Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” I think it couldn’t be more relevant here. We feel it for ignorance, and we feel it for knowledge but lack of action. So here’s a thought, let’s end the madness. Let’s stop shaming and judging ourselves and each other and let the positive changes flow.
“This is not a time for sitting in our lazy thrones of internal justification, decorated with denial and cushioned with helplessness; it’s time to join the environmental army as they head into battle, or better still, lead it.”
There are tons of articles out there advising what you can do to positively contribute. There are many grassroots organisations you can join. You can support political parties who take climate action seriously. You can put pressure on governments, join protests, support environmental charities and take action in your own life, by consciously approaching your purchasing, lifestyle and waste disposal. I haven’t been the poster girl for green living. I am still learning but most importantly, I am making changes and better choices.
One of the things I was using for a long time is the search engine Ecosia who plant trees as a result of your search. I was immediately met by someone who said: “How do you know they are even planting them?” Which is a fair question but really, was another way of defending their shame and resistance to change. I’ve done my research, and I am confident that they are legit. Even if they were not, I’m still going to hedge my bets on someone who is claiming to utilise something for good instead of those who are not. The former attitude of my good friend is the type of internal justifying that has contributed to this mess. By all means, research and question but take action to support the solution. This is not a time for sitting in our lazy thrones of internal justification, decorated with denial and cushioned with helplessness; it’s time to join the environmental army as they head into battle, or better still, lead it.
It’s not only us, however. Lest we forget the huge corporations who have an enormous negative impact on our environment. They have more than corporate responsibility to be concerned about at this stage; they have a global environmental and humanitarian duty to make significant changes. But here’s the kicker, that’s where we come in too. I’ve watched, even on a smaller level, how companies have changed to compostable cups and a lot less plastic packaging. Why? Partially for a greener way of living but definitely in part because consumers called them out on it. Never underestimate the positive results we can have if we continue as a collective to put pressure on these groups.
After a Prime Time documentary exposed the abuse of greyhounds for racing, people petitioned companies sponsoring the races to withdraw their support, and many of them did. Why should this be any different? Our voices are there to be used and heard. I don’t care if I see recyclable cutlery now just because someone is afraid of bad press as long as they are doing it. This is a crisis beyond measure, and we are well beyond the point where we have the choice to be apathetic.
But we cannot play the corporate dragon card to absolve our inaction either. It still doesn’t make it any less our fault, because it is collectively our fault as human beings. From the everyday users of the environment to businesses worldwide, we are all contributing to the destruction, just in different ways. We are all part of the problem, but we are all part of the solution. We came in here and destroyed the world, nature, animals, the whole damn lot. The very least we can do is if we can never restore it to its original beauty is pay it back with what we do have. Let’s take our knowledge, technology, ingenuity and stop using it to print selfies on lattes and channel it to at the very least, cleaning up after ourselves and saving the place from complete oblivion.
“We are climate changers, but we also can change the climate; political, cultural and environmental or at the very least make an effort.”
The Amazon forest fires are the tip of the iceberg, but we shouldn’t need such devastating tragedies to wake us up. I think we really have to own our actions to move forward, embrace whatever it is we are feeling and work through it. We have all messed up, but we don’t have to continue doing it. What we do now is our only chance at redemption, but at least we have a chance. Just channel whatever it is you feel into doing something good about it. Don’t wait for the next atrocity.
We are climate changers, but we also can change the climate; political, cultural and environmental or at the very least make an effort. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, and nobody truly wants to stop living in the time of convenience and excess, but I’m afraid the party is over. The hangover has set in and the same way you are the only one who can do anything about that, we are the only ones who can do anything about this.
There are lots I didn’t know, and I felt so ashamed when I reviewed my environmental awareness and evaluated my contribution to the mess. But I have gone from someone who felt foolish about what I didn’t know to the realisation that no one can know everything or change immediately overnight. And I don’t expect that from anyone else. I have learned the most from my friends who are open to discussing ways in which I can make simple changes in my everyday life, but I had to ask questions. It could be something as simple as a replacement for cling film because when I have that mini-window for my meal-prep, the last thing on my mind was the bees but now it is. Sit down, make a plan, add it into your shopping bag or your weekly program.
For those finding it hard to get off the ground with making changes, I hear you. I have been there. Know you are not alone and you don’t have to transform your lifestyle overnight, but making some change is urgent. No more than you joining with your friend for 30 days at the gym, start it in a way that you know works for you. But start. Be mindful in your actions. Buy the bamboo toothbrush, dare we try to have a bag for life instead of a drawer of them, be conscious of your carbon footprint. Carpool. For those you know who are resistant, are still full of denial, shame and deeply caught in a place of stagnancy, don’t wait for them. Educate them by all means, but they’ll move in their own time. Don’t shame or judge. The best thing you can do is lead by example.
“We need to be kind to our Mother and save the earth so she can save us too. ”
If we woke up tomorrow to the news that we were all going to die from health-related issues, we couldn’t get to the gym sooner. The story here is that we are destroying our home and there won’t be another one to live in. We need to be kind to our Mother and save the earth so she can save us too. Make the lifestyle change. That’s not coming from a place of preference; it’s out of necessity. And it’s not just about us as a people; it’s about the future of the world. We have reached a point where we need not just someone but everyone, to finally think of the children.
