Month: November 2021

The Fountain of Youth

Posted on by communityclimatecoach_5z2lee

“By now, most people know we’re in danger. We’ve heard of the thinning ozone layer, the greenhouse effect, acid rain the destruction of the world’s forests, arable lands, and drinkable water….”

That is the first line of the preface to The Canadian Green Consumer Guide: How You Can Help, by the Pollution Probe Foundation (McClelland & Stewart Inc., 1989). Margaret Atwood wrote the preface, dated July 1989. 

I found the book a few months ago in a garage sale. It was horribly disorienting. Sure, the terminology and some of the focus is a bit outdated – we don’t really talk about the ozone layer or acid rain anymore, largely (I think) due to the perception, and some reality, that these issues have been satisfactorily resolved – but the substance could have been written just this minute. Atwood writes convincingly that one big issue is that

“…most people don’t know what to do. In the face of such an enormous global problem, they feel helpless. But although the problem is global, the solutions must be local. Unless we begin somewhere, we will never begin at all. An absence of small beginnings will spell the end.” 

I wish I could reproduce her preface in full. It’s unbelievably consistent with what you’d read in many an enviro-focused piece today, from talking about energy efficiency, to food waste, to the knowing supply chains so, for example, “you know you aren’t eating destroyed Amazonian rainforest with every hamburger bite”. And the book proposes practical and effective solutions – the same ones you hear of today. Heat pumps, solar panels, wind turbines, home retrofitting and insulating and energy efficient appliances, and low chemical household cleaners…And it was written 32 years ago!!! 3 “Decade[s] of Action” ago! 

I’ve been reeling for weeks over this in ways that I can’t fully explain. But some of that disorientation clarified in the post-COP26 conversation around Youth. One of the most hopeful narratives that we hear is about how Youth are driving a sense of urgency. How Youth are developing solutions, networks, protests… But reading this book I couldn’t help thinking that there must have been many such youth back in 1989. Someone who was 20 in 1989 would be 52 today. Atwood wrote:

“This is wartime. Right now we’re losing; but it’s a war we can still win, with some good luck, a lot of good will, and a great many intelligent choices.”

Presumably The Pollution Probe Foundation and many other organizations like it had youth followers in 1989. 3 decades later, I wonder how much is really different today, beyond the rhetoric and the media landscape. The internet changed everything, some people say. I start to fear it largely only changed our perceptions and the velocity of our horrible choices.  

Feeling out of fashion

Posted on by communityclimatecoach_5z2lee

I have been thinking of hosting a climate coaching event. But it’s daunting. What’s my way in? What am I offering? Also, it feels suddenly out of style. The latest in climate action seems to be talking about “the system” and the need for political action and discounting personal choices outside of political campaigning and voting. And climate coaching is not really about politics. So is it no longer relevant? 

Luckily, there was a NYTimes podcast on The Argument about this today, and it helped me to organize my thinking.  As I see it, so long as people fear or dislike the vision of the future that climate safe behavior requires, they won’t be able to fully support an effort to change the system. There is real value in our traditions, but many of our traditions are threatened by the actions that will be necessary to keep the planet safe and habitable in the future, so unless we can build a valuable alternative that can replace those traditions while keeping their essence, we will not be able to generate the necessary systemic change. 

Here are some examples. What would you add?

  • Hamburgers/beef. Cookouts, barbecues, family gatherings revolve around delicious food and we love meat. Alternatives never sound, taste or smell as good to those who enjoy a good burger/steak, though of course there are now those fake meat companies that suggest they could. I don’t buy it and I suspect others don’t, either. So how do we adapt to this? I think talking about with others is a great start (health benefits! Alternative recipes! Favorite other dishes!). There is loss involved in climate change. So much loss. And it’s ok to feel sad, even if it’s just a regular dose of beef that you’re grieving. But we need to help each other move past this. There are worse losses. 
  • Barbecues themselves. The smell, the taste, the texture, the char. The memories of being outside and much of that same warmth that comes from the thought of meat. The air pollution, the methane, the nitrous oxide…gas and coal barbecues definitely need to go. Luckily, there are good alternatives in the form of electric stoves. But, again, there is definitely loss involved, and we should talk about it! Also share tips – for example, maybe someone has figured out the perfect way to char on an induction cooktop. It’s possible!
  • Celebratory stuff. Confetti, party hats, plastic plates and utensils, party favors, individually wrapped candy. There may be decent alternatives out there, but I have yet to encounter any that are as affordable as the current Dollar Store offerings. 
  • Gas cars. I’m not a car lover, but I listen to music and watch movies/videos/TV and know that cars are a ubiquitous symbol, used to show all sorts of things. People love their cars! I understand that electric cars are a perfect alternative, but I imagine that many people who love their cars are yet to be convinced. 
  • Air travel. Until airline fuel changes, flying is simply not compatible with a climate safe future. How do we adapt to that? The pandemic helped show some ways. Others may involve condensing distant trips so that you do one long trip per year rather than a few shorter ones. Or visit by rail. Carpool? 
  • Plastic. Its convenience is undeniable. For all that I like my reusable containers and beeswax covers, I still have to wash them. They’re heavy. They’re breakable. They’re not as stretchy or flexible. If plastic were not bad for my health or the environment, would I use it? Absolutely! It’s a perfect material, if you can set aside its unfortunate deadly nature. 
  • Consumerism/new stuff. Buying stuff is fun. New stuff is exciting, pretty, luxurious, smells nice, etc. etc. For all the satisfaction of upcycling and making old things new, it’s hard to deny the pleasure of buying new stuff. But we definitely have to be buying a lot less new stuff in our future world. 
  • Garbage. Related to the plastic thing, it’s easy and convenient to toss things, rather than try to figure out if/how they can be recycled, repurposed, donated, etc. This applies for stuff in great condition and especially for stuff in poor condition.
  • Clothes dryer. Hang drying really just isn’t the same. 

So now I think maybe a community climate coaching session dedicated to discussing how we are dealing with letting go of/replacing this? How are we finding new traditions, building new memories, creating new habits, that ultimately will (I am SURE), build a much better and more enjoyable lifestyle (in addition to planet, of course)? Seems promising…