We all hear about climate deniers and climate activists. There is another category – folks who know climate change is real and dire but who feel they are too busy working on other important issues to focus on climate. I fall into that category. If you are like me, I want to offer a way in to climate activism.
The highest priority in my activism right now is in creating multi-racial, multi-faith communities to build power and model how such diverse communities can thrive in the face of rising White Nationalism in this country. I’m doing this through my involvement with the Brockton Interfaith Community here in Southeastern MA, an affiliate of MCAN and the national Faith in Action network.
A climate activist recently told me that the climate movement will eventually need all of our organizations and networks to get on board. In the meantime we should continue building our organizations, creating relationships, addressing racism, access, inclusion, violence and all kinds of issues. We can start raising awareness about how climate impacts our issues. For example, the quality of schools is a big issue for my organization. We have many non-native English speakers and need more services for them. Climate change is going to bring many more refugees to our cities and our schools will need to be prepared for them. This is one small example. Soon the regional and national climate change networks will need our organizations to mobilize their power for ending fossil fuel dependence and other key issues.
So, keep doing the work you are doing and start raising consciousness about the climate connections. There are plenty of ways to learn more about climate activism. The Sunrise movement is one place to start – https://www.sunrisemovement.org/
On a different note… for folks in the Boston area – I invite to join me at an evening with my good friend, artists and activist, Shoshana Guggenheim, in Brookline on April 9. See the information below. Shoshana will be talking about her community art work and activism.
For those in D.C. – Rabbi Lauren Tuchman is starting a Jewish Spirituality and Social Change practice group sponsored by the Inside Out Wisdom and Action Project. This is a great way to learn more about Jewish spiritual technologies for change. Again, see below for more information.
I wish you all a joyous and renewing Passover and a renewing Easter for our Christian friends.
Warm regards,
David