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I recently went to see a movie called 'The Age Of Stupid'. The film was set in an apocalyptic-style 2055 and was narrated by a character 'looking back' on our present day civilization, wondering why we failed to act on climate change before it got out of hand. I left the movie feeling both more knowledgeable, yet intensely more petrified, pessimistic and paralysed than ever before about climate change. So it got me thinking ...
.I understand how these documentary style movies can be a wonderful tool for relaying facts and projections about climate change, and how our actions as humans are affecting our planet's climate for future generations. I think it's important to be informed. However I do have to say that I'm really getting tired of all this fear-based hype. I'm tired of feeling paralysed by all the climate change facts to the point where I consider our planet 'doomed'. And I'm really tired that not enough media attention is going towards all of all the wonderful things we as humans are creating in response to climate change.
. As a community artist, I spend many of my creative workshops discussing, exploring and brainstorming creative solutions about the world we live in, and how our choices impact on the environment ~ affecting both ourselves, others and nature. It's uplifting and inspiring and I always come away feeling refreshed and empowered about where we are headed, especially after working with children.
.When I compare 'empowerment and possibility' approaches with 'disempowerment and terror' media campaigns, I can intrinsically understand that there is a more positive way to deal with climate change.
.So although I take 100% credit for the way my lifestyle impacts upon our beautiful planet, and I agree that climate change is a huge issue for humanity, I've decided to look at climate change another way that feels much better to me:
.Through my work and life I have come to understand that empowerment, not fear, is the greatest tool we all have to create positive, lasting changes in our lives and on our planet. I think our greatest fears are also our greatest teachers.
.Climate change, like any other circumstance in our lives, provides us with an opportunity to respond to life by coming up with new, creative solutions for our environment, which help us to grow and evolve as human beings. At every stage of human existence we have come up against challenges ~ and all of them have helped us to grow and evolve into more resourceful, knowledgeable race. Each challenge is always met with possibility and solution, and I refuse to allow myself to believe that for the first time, there is no longer hope for a time of renewed, unprecedented growth and change for the better.
. I believe climate change is not something we should be afraid of ~ nor do we all need to be 'terrified into action' ~ instead we an take this as an opportunity to collectively and individually make changes that contribute and allow us to adapt to our current circumstances. I believe climate change offers such a great contrast in our experience that we can either 'go down the tubes' in fear, or rise up and take responsibility for ourselves and each other's right to co-exist and invent new possibilities. Turning climate change into a blame game does nothing but disempower and cause us to fall into inaction. Taking responsibility enables us to find solutions ans create real tangible results.
.I believe there are no mistakes in the universe and I also believe we have all been doing our best with what we've had. We are not being 'punished' by the planet for being 'bad' inhabitants or making uninformed decisions. Our beautiful planet is purely relaying the effects of our actions back to us so that we can clearly see where we are headed ~ and what might be possible instead. It's cause and effect. And being the willing participant she is, I also believe Mother Nature will respond back to us openly about our new, creative solutions. She's a lot smarter and more resilient than we think.
.I, for one, choose to remain positive, hopeful, trusting in life and connected to the inherent creativity of humanity and of our beautiful universe. I am also someone who is prepared to use a clear, creative mind to contribute to positive solutions for our planet through love, communication and by creating a safe space for possibilities to be entertained and to flourish.
.There's so much we can do ~ every one of us ~ and I endeavour to be a person who has faith in myself and others that we will make the right choices and that we have a right to be empowered about our future.
.So may I suggest that everyday, we all take it upon ourselves to do something we consider positive and solution-based to lead ourselves down a new path of climate change action ...
.Whether it be:
. To buy local produce or plant your own herbs,
Recycle a plastic bottle or better still, re-use it to make seedling pots or even art out of it,
Talk to your children about the importance of conserving electricity, or walk down to the corner store rather than jumping in the car,
Re-use the plastic bags from the kids' lunches or use re-usable containers to reduce land-fill.
Go camping for the family holiday or reduce your air flights wherever possible.
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EVERY DAY and EVERY ACT can contribute to a healthier planet ~ and that EVERY ONE of us is capable of making a few small changes that collectively help us to be healthier people on a healthier planet.
.I'd love to hear your contributions.
Cheers to positive solutions and empowerment!
