Chapter 11 page 55
Prince Yùzǐ: But you really wanted to do it??
Prince Shiny: …
Prince Morio: Are you all right?
Prince Shiny: No!! I am not all right!! I am terrified!!
How do the two of you make your decisions so effortlessly? You do not seem concerned at all at the prospect of change, of the unknown, of our potential separation.
We may never see each other again!!
Author’s notes: Like Shiny, I too have a burning sharing today… Last Friday April 22 was Earth Day! Of course, in a sense, every day is everything day; it’s really up to whether we’re being mindful of something or not. And when it comes to something as universal and beautiful as this planet we all live on, full of all the things we love, being mindful of it is truly precious.
There’s a saying that goes something like this: “We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children” – and all those that come after us. The source is debated, but wherever it came from, there’s something in this quote that resonates deeply with me.
The climate crisis is something I’ve been thinking about a lot these days. There’s absolutely no doubt that the reality of it can be overwhelming and scary. But it’s so important. And it’s just as important not to lose hope! To recognize that there are so many individuals and organizations doing invaluable work, and that there are so many ways and levels at which we can all be involved as befitting our capabilities. Below I’ll share a few starting resources. Some are Canadian in focus, but many also have links to resources and you can likely find similar/partner organizations in your local part of the world as well.
Resources for addressing the climate crisis
Learn how to talk about climate change from a climate scientist with Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist, TED speaker, author, and United Nations Champion of the Earth. She’s an amazing, positive speaker who has a lot of great talks! Here’s her TED talk, “The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it”, and another recent one from her interview on Jimmy Kimmel.
DontChooseExtinction.com: the United Nations Development Programme busts common excuses (myths/attitudes) related to the climate crisis. A really eye-catching video and site!
ClimateFast.ca: A volunteer-based non-profit focused on helping Canadians have informed conversations and create positive change through civic engagement! They have lots of fantastic resources and tools.
BankSwitch: Learning about this campaign was a big deal for me! (There are similar campaigns in other countries, including the US!) They have a really well-laid out overview and clearly-outlined resources on talking to your bank to get them to review and change their fossil fuel lending policies. And finding ways to put your money – everyday banking, savings, loans, mortgages and so on – to better, more sustainable use for your community. The people behind this also ran an extremely informative and multifaceted Climate Finance 101 webinar available on YouTube!
Plus there are many important causes that we may not immediately think of as being “obviously” environmental or climate action-specific, but it’s all interrelated. For example, Indigenous rights around the world are crucial in climate action – aspects such as protecting the land and water, reducing deforestation, and more. And charities focused on reducing food waste like Second Harvest or Not Far From the Tree also help!
There are amazing initiatives of all sizes and scale happening… it might not be practical to throw yourself into everything out there, but there are lots of options and you can really find something that speaks to you and aligns with your interests and capabilities to support in direct and effective ways!
A very wise and wonderful climate activist whom I greatly respect frequently reminds me how important it is to nurture your own spirit. You must take care of yourself in order to be able to tackle fierce challenges. So please remember to find time to be gentle with yourself: breathe, enjoy things, and nourish yourself with what refreshes and replenishes you!
♥ Maiji (April 25, 2022)
