Feeling out of fashion

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…