As a climate engagement specialist, I spend most of my time encouraging people of all ages to focus on hope and action when it comes to climate change. But even I struggle with this perspective at times. Recently, my husband and I revisited a ritual we started 25 years ago where we each made a list of 101 life dreams and goals. Except this time as we began to plan for the next season of our lives, I was struck with eco-anxiety, feeling uncertain about the future and how to plan for it.
It was then that I remembered the words of Thomas Homer-Dixon, that "the answers lie just outside of the periphery of the imagination." I realized that in order to create a better future, we must first be able to envision it. So I sat with my list of goals and imagined a future of accelerated change, one that could be even better than today. I acknowledge that some may see this as naive, but I believe it's more useful than the alternative narrative of doom and gloom, and research on the efficacy of this approach supports this.
I also really do believe that hope can only exist in the unknown, and we must be able to imagine a future where we move towards collaboration and care in order to become good ancestors to future generations.
This blog post is a copy of my newsletter. You can subscribe to receive future issues directly to your inbox by clicking here. I promise they will come somewhat regularly but cannot commit to the exact interval, as I am quite busy reminding people that we all want better and can do better too. Email me your feedback - I would love to hear what co-conspirators in creating a smarter, better world are up to.
Warmest,
Tina
Climate Action Sprint
Easy everyday challenges to rescue your personal carbon footprint
This issue…SHOP YOUR PANTRY!
For foodies - did you know that one-third of the world's food production is wasted every year? And that 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by preventable food waste? That's why it's crucial to reduce food waste. Not only is it a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, but it's also a waste of resources like water, energy, and labor.
But don't worry, reducing your food waste is easier than you think! One fun way to do this is by taking on the challenge of shopping your own pantry for one month. Yes, you read that right - you don't need to go to the grocery store for a whole month (except for fresh items)!
The challenge is simple. Look inside your fridge, pantry, and freezer, and take inventory of what you have. Then, create meal plans based on those ingredients. Get creative and try new recipes - you'll be amazed at how many delicious meals you can make with what you already have! Here is a resource you can use to explore your pantry possibilities!
By shopping in your own pantry, you'll not only reduce food waste, but you'll also save money and time. Plus, you'll have the satisfaction of using up all the food you've already purchased.
So what are you waiting for? Join the challenge and shop your own pantry for one month. Let's reduce food waste together and make the world a better place, one meal at a time. Here is a resource you can use to ge
Hopeful Resources
Inspired Reading
The challenges we face can be difficult even to think about. Climate change, war, political polarization, economic upheaval, and the dying back of nature together create a planetary emergency of overwhelming proportions.
This revised, tenth anniversary edition of Active Hope shows us how to strengthen our capacity to face these crises so that we can respond with unexpected resilience and creative power. Drawing on decades of teaching an empowerment approach known as the Work That Reconnects, the authors guide us through a transformational process informed by mythic journeys, modern psychology, spirituality, and holistic science. This process equips us with tools to face the mess we're in and play our role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a life-sustaining society.
The links in this section are affiliate links meaning that if you click and purchase, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I only recommend books that I have read and think are important additions to my own Hopeful Action library.
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In The Community
This image is of a Comox Youth Climate Council member at a sign painting event leading up to a march. This isn't staged. And this is really how they feel.