I've been underestimating the extent to which my U.S. passive worrier peers are in the majority and have untapped potential for addressing climate concerns. I've recently taken more action, but appreciate nudges and encouragement to take additional steps. Reminds me of this quote attributed to Lily Tomlin: “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”
Hej Kimberly, Är det bra val att byta elavtal till ett miljövänligt/fossilfritt? Eller skjuter man bara över problemet på någon annan då? Har ni gjort någon forskning på detta? Jag hittar INGET när jag googlar, inte ens på Naturskyddsföreningen. Mvh, Anna-Karin
Hej Anna-Karin! Buying fossil-free energy from your provider is what I list as action #2 above, where I link to some research on the topic. My assessment is that it's not perfect, but it's worth doing, and I've done it myself! :)
Thank you so much Kimberly. Love the cathedral quote. There is so much truth to that. About so much that we do that is worthwhile, effective. It is so easy to fall into despair over all of this. I had the experience a couple of years ago, of being part of a link in a series of actions that restored a gazebo in the park where I walk each day. Every time I walk by it now, in all of it's beauty, I am reminded that I might just have another idea for how to turn the corner on impossibility. More then one. None of us can know this until we put out our piece of the link that completes a chain of events. That makes all of the difference. One little link. I bask in the pleasure of seeing people sitting on the mahogany benches. Perhaps taking respite from their own despair. Taking the shade it provides now, on a hot day. Maybe having a wedding ceremony there. I had my husband bring his recorder to play some tunes in it. What fun! Thank you for your work on this research you include. You continue to inspire me. I will see what action I can take now, here in my dear city of Springfield, Ma. Love to you and all you do.
Thank you Nancy for sharing this story and for your words of encouragement. How wonderful to see the good that you helped create being enjoyed by others! Keep up the good work!
Thanks to Helen, who sent me a voice memo that rest is not something to be "earned" one day a week, which was her interpretation of what I wrote above. I agree, Helen! Rest is an ongoing need and right, and we need to normalise and support rest as part of sustainability for the long haul. I wrote more about rest and burnout in the February 2022 edition (https://wecanfixit.substack.com/p/the-only-time-buying-new-is-better).
Well, my biggest contribution was to not have children. Beyond that, I have solar on my roof, a relatively new heat pump and hybrid vehicles that I don’t drive that much. I support political candidates that advocate and advance strong climate policies. Unfortunately none of this will be adequate because of the almost universal commitment to growth. There are already way more humans than the planet can accommodate given the life styles they either have or aspire to. The majority appear to be unwilling to acknowledge this.
Really good point about the climate deniers vs those who are concerned but not acting.
I've been underestimating the extent to which my U.S. passive worrier peers are in the majority and have untapped potential for addressing climate concerns. I've recently taken more action, but appreciate nudges and encouragement to take additional steps. Reminds me of this quote attributed to Lily Tomlin: “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.”
Thanks so much for weighing in Cindy-- great to hear about your journey from passive to active, and I love the Lily Tomlin quote!
Hej Kimberly, Är det bra val att byta elavtal till ett miljövänligt/fossilfritt? Eller skjuter man bara över problemet på någon annan då? Har ni gjort någon forskning på detta? Jag hittar INGET när jag googlar, inte ens på Naturskyddsföreningen. Mvh, Anna-Karin
Hej Anna-Karin! Buying fossil-free energy from your provider is what I list as action #2 above, where I link to some research on the topic. My assessment is that it's not perfect, but it's worth doing, and I've done it myself! :)
Thank you so much Kimberly. Love the cathedral quote. There is so much truth to that. About so much that we do that is worthwhile, effective. It is so easy to fall into despair over all of this. I had the experience a couple of years ago, of being part of a link in a series of actions that restored a gazebo in the park where I walk each day. Every time I walk by it now, in all of it's beauty, I am reminded that I might just have another idea for how to turn the corner on impossibility. More then one. None of us can know this until we put out our piece of the link that completes a chain of events. That makes all of the difference. One little link. I bask in the pleasure of seeing people sitting on the mahogany benches. Perhaps taking respite from their own despair. Taking the shade it provides now, on a hot day. Maybe having a wedding ceremony there. I had my husband bring his recorder to play some tunes in it. What fun! Thank you for your work on this research you include. You continue to inspire me. I will see what action I can take now, here in my dear city of Springfield, Ma. Love to you and all you do.
Thank you Nancy for sharing this story and for your words of encouragement. How wonderful to see the good that you helped create being enjoyed by others! Keep up the good work!
Thanks to Helen, who sent me a voice memo that rest is not something to be "earned" one day a week, which was her interpretation of what I wrote above. I agree, Helen! Rest is an ongoing need and right, and we need to normalise and support rest as part of sustainability for the long haul. I wrote more about rest and burnout in the February 2022 edition (https://wecanfixit.substack.com/p/the-only-time-buying-new-is-better).
Well, my biggest contribution was to not have children. Beyond that, I have solar on my roof, a relatively new heat pump and hybrid vehicles that I don’t drive that much. I support political candidates that advocate and advance strong climate policies. Unfortunately none of this will be adequate because of the almost universal commitment to growth. There are already way more humans than the planet can accommodate given the life styles they either have or aspire to. The majority appear to be unwilling to acknowledge this.