Sanjay Khanna, a recent advisor to the Post Carbon Institute, today publishes an article 'A Modest Proposal: Psychosocial Toolkit for Advocates of Bold Climate Action.'
This brief post is intended to stimulate a response among people who are bearing witness to, and tracking, the latest effects of climate change on people and the planet. It’s aimed at those who sense the consequences of large-scale inaction, and poses the question of what sorts of psychological and social resources may be needed to keep up spirits and address the potential impact of depression and anxiety on those who are wrestling with, the climate issue.
(snip)
Would a “psychosocial toolkit” help advocates of bold climate action to better cope with anger, sadness, or loss they may be feeling about accelerating changes to the climate system and the lack of mobilization among the general public and policy makers?
I vote yes. Those of us who are on the front lines, who awaken each morning, often even in the middle of the night with that horrifying undescribable horror scorching the depths of our soul, that inescapable awarness that we are rapidly moving towards the destruction our entire planet, and that we are fighting a ruthless, conscience-less Goliathan enemy which possesses all the conventional requisite tools for squelching our efforts and setting back our accomplishments
This need is recognized by such trainings and events as Awakening the Dreamer Seminar, Brian Swimm's The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos, Joanna Macy's The Great Turning and the Transition Network.
Khanna suggests that the contents of this toolkit would include:
* Notes from the frontlines – anecdotes and quotes from climate advocates on their experiences at Copenhagen and Cancun climate conferences
* Organizations’ approaches to keeping up morale in the face of worsening climate science findings
* Climate advocates’ successful personal strategies for coping, particularly surrounding leisure time, family, and community engagement
* Suggestions from top environmental psychologists, Indigenous elders, and mindfulness teachers on approaches to dealing with “global warming era”
Other 'tookits" and climate resources:
Google Earth Engine perfect for tracking climate change and extreme weather locally, regionally and globally.
Climate Think Tank ... an in-process interactive collection of tools, strategies, information and analysis of dealing with climate change via education, CD Swarms and Rapid Response training. (Closed group which requires request for joining)
Creating a culture of Peace the tools and systems and philosophy used by the the April 6 movement in Egypt.
CCP training is an incubator for participants to raise issues which most concern them--group controversy and conflict, neighborhood violence, domestic violence, climate change, war and militarism, discrimination, video games, homelessness, peace education, and health care.
The training is highly participatory and does not depend on reading a book or lectures. It draws upon the wisdom, experience and talents of all the participants and on the skills and knowledge of trainers.
Join the conversation over at PostCarbon . I think its a fabulous, much needed idea.
Photos:
Put People First London march - 28 March 2009. Put People First march for Jobs, Justice and Climate ahead of the London G20 Summit. © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk