What can an individual do to respond to climate change?

Words by Kit

This question was posed to me recently and I thought I’d be able to reel off a lot of ideas. But despite my notes, thoughts didn’t flow easily from my mouth. So here is my second attempt at answering this question that all of us are asked regularly:

WHAT TO DO?

Take CARE of yourself: be well-fed, well-rested, well-exercised.

Grow FOOD.

Build COMMUNITY.

Minimise WASTE, including packaging.

Consume CONSCIOUSLY.

Use your MONEY strategically – DIVEST from fossil fuels.

Join SUPPORT groups.

Build PEOPLE POWER by collaborating with others.

Debrief and plan, using LISTENING PARTNERSHIPS.

Question and challenge the ECONOMIC SYSTEM and CONSUMPTION.

Respect and learn from INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVES on stewardship of the earth.

Understand issues of INEQUALITY and climate injustice. Connect these systemic problems with the BEHAVIOURS AND FEELINGS of individuals.

Use REFLECTION to become aware of what DRIVES us as individuals (greed, fear, hopelessness, despair, rage, joy, love, hope) and listening partnerships to process these feelings.

AGITATE governments and industries, don’t remain silent.

HOW TO BE?

Get into new HABITS, be open to other ways of doing things.

Hold ATTITUDES that support your engagement with the situation we’re in (hope, optimism, empowerment, appreciation, valuing self and others).

Remember your PASSION for creating a better world (when did you feel this as a young one?).

Overcome NEGATIVITY in yourself; create or find a foundation of ethics, sociality, creativity, collaboration.

CONNECT with people – be interested in everyone – they might turn out to be your best ally.

Get ALONGSIDE others – collaborate, inspire, follow – this multiplies our energy and impact.

Use tools for RESILIENCE as an individual and in groups.

Include everyone in the setting you find yourself in; build on commonalities to create pop-up COMMUNITIES.