Climate change will manifest as a series of disasters, viewed through phones, with footage that gets closer and closer to where you live until you’re the one filming it.
I recently delivered my first-ever community-based Carbon Literacy course, here in the West-Country village of Newnham on Severn (UK). It was a personal goal of mine to use my experience for good in my local area, and I’ll admit, despite having trained 1000’s of business people in my time, I was terrified. Why? Well, I read Facebook!
Truth is, I actively avoid personal conversations about climate unless asked for advice. It’s a mental block for me – born, I’m sure, from past experience but mainly perception, and one that really frustrates me. So, in true Emma style, the obstacle was the way, and I committed to running two courses with funding from Gloucestershire County Council. The funding was linked to the Tools & Things Library (learn more), we’re also setting up, so it was a creative way of getting support for that too! More on the impact of volunteering in this podcast episode with Ben Luger.
On the morning of the final training module, the recent floods in nearby Monmouth, Wales were THE topic of conversation. In some ironic way, climate change had become immediately relevant. I know I was preaching to the somewhat converted, but my role was to give them the confidence to take their concern and act on it. A local Councillor, Hospice Manager, and GP were amongst the learners. I’m running the course again in March and can’t wait to see the ripple effects (learn more about the course here).
As with all things, I could have avoided it; I did for years, but with support from others, it came, it went, and it was a success. What felt hard became easier, what felt blocked eased. It was all about making the first move and supporting it long enough to gain momentum (read some feedback from the course here).
Thinking back about my years of resistance, even as someone committed to working in this space, makes me think, if not me, who?
So, as we slow down for winter, perhaps we can challenge ourselves a bit more, to question that resistance, and choose to move it aside so that we can move forward, in tiny steps, but always with grace, consistency, and commitment. My experience has proved to me that when you step up in your community, people follow, and the ripples of action are more rewarding than you’d ever imagine!
So, will you ask yourself? If not me, who?
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Emma Burlow