Change must be within people

 Robertson Work is a friend, and a genius. His Compassionate Civilization book gives us alternative ways to view, and work on, climate change. 

Here's a snippet of his ideas, which I'll give you just a few paragraphs below. Check out this Substack. That seems to be the way lots of good writing is being done these days.

ecological-and-social-crises-are calling us to reinvent ourselves.

Now is the time! We are empathic earthlings of the living Earth!

"As a former UNDP policy advisor, international civil servant, founder of the Compassionate Civilization Collaborative, and most importantly, an aging nobody, I call on the over eight billion of us and our leaders in government, business, civil society, media, and academia to launch a global initiative of reinventing humanity as Earthlings committed to ecological regeneration and social justice.

 In World War II, President Roosevelt called on industry, government, and citizens to unite in defeating fascism. In my country, I call on Vice President Harris, Governor Walz, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, AOC, the ACLU, Third Act, and other leaders and movements to articulate a compelling vision and effective action plan of social justice and peace for all people and ecological regeneration of all ecosystems of air, water, soil, minerals, plants, insects, and animals.

Around the planet, many are calling for whole system transformation including the United Nations, the Dalai Lama, the Plum Village movement, the Global Compassion Coalition, Greta Thunberg, Kate Raworth, Phil Lane Jr., Daniel Schmachtenberger, Jacinda Ardern, Nafeez Ahmed, Vandana Shiva, Daniel Wahl, Arundhati Roy, Rutger Bregman, the Great Transition Initiative, the Sunrise Movement, and many, many others as part of a planetary movement of movements."

 

And the good news is...

Aug 14, 2024 on Facebook, Mom's Clean Air Force posted this:

That's a seven months' measure. Excellent news. Renewables are going to supply electric power everywhere, I hope.

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I wonder if I'll ever return to a life of going out, doing things, taking care of my apartment, maybe even doing something I enjoy with clay? So far this dragging on Brochiectasis flare-up...just seems to get worse some days. And if I have a good day, I hardly know what to do with it! I still am not sick enough to need medical treatment, darn it all! Just keep on helping clear my lungs with nebulizer, the shaking vest, and sleeping with the C-PAP (which isn't for the big B but for sleep apnea). 

Anyway, I hear thunder out in the mountains, but nothing like last evenings' clap that was probably blocks from my house. I got up and just unplugged the computer and hoped that the electricity and cable would keep working so I could see the end of Jeopardy's Tournament of Champions! It might have been a repeat, but I only vaguely knew who won, and I was right. The players were all outstanding. As always, I knew few answers, but sometimes ones that stumped all three geniuses. That's always fun!  And we had a bit of heavy rain...I didn't pay much attention.

Saturday was spent indoors mostly coughing. I had hoped to be able to go to the Tailgate Market, try to sell some old pots. Not this week. I am not complaining for attention...just stating this is the life I have. I think of neighbors in electric wheelchairs, and how limited their lives are by depending upon that device. They are stronger than I am in many ways.

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Today's quote:

In science one tries to tell people, in such a way as to be understood by everyone, something that no one ever knew before. But in the case of poetry, it's the exact opposite. 

-Paul Dirac, theoretical physicist and Nobel laureate (1902-1984)

Mental health and climate change

 

Art by Josephine Wall

Well, of course.

If you worry about climate change at all, it affects your mental/emotional well being..

"The physical impacts of climate change are easy to see — storms that destroy homes, droughts that cripple farms and heat waves that kill... [and more!]

But what’s less apparent is the toll that climate change is taking on our mental health. More than two-thirds of people in the U.S. say they have experienced eco-anxiety, according to an American Psychological Association poll. Nearly half of young adults (ages 18-34) say the stress they feel about climate change affects their daily lives..."

It’s important to remember that these painful emotions are an entirely reasonable response to what’s happening. They’re a sign that we care and that we’re paying attention, not a sign that something is wrong with us...."

 Research shows that collective action — participating in action to make this better, alongside other people who care — can help reduce feelings of depression related to climate anxiety and bolster feelings of hope and solidarity. 

Actively participating in climate solutions is a potent reminder that solutions do exist. There’s so much we can do to contribute to the world we want..."

Many people feel like climate change is an existential crisis, and personally meaningful spiritual practices — whether it’s your faith, meditation, spending time in nature — can help ground you in difficult times. 

And finally, I would say, be prepared. We all know that extreme weather is here to stay. Having an emergency plan can really help ease anxiety and help us cope more skillfully and calmly in moments of crisis. "

These quotes are from an interview with mental health expert Elizabeth Bechard of Moms Clean Air Force by the Environmental Defense Fund, "Climate Change and your Mental Health," by Shanti Menon, April 4, 2024. It arrives in my inbox from "Vital Signs, the latest climate stories to make you think and give you hope."

RESOURCES

• For climate-focused mental health support, join a climate cafe to talk about climate emotions; try the Good Grief Network for structured, step-by-step peer support; or schedule an in-person or virtual visit with a climate-aware therapist.
• For emergency planning, see the severe weather checklists at Ready.gov, specific to just about any type of emergency. The book Prepping 101 is full of practical ideas about how families and communities can be more prepared and resilient when emergencies arise (and in spite of its name, it’s not about hoarding beans for the apocalypse). 
• Moms Clean Air Force has an extensive list of climate and mental health resources and more advice for parents and kids from Elizabeth Bechard.  

 

 Art by Josephine Wall