What I have learnt about saving the planet
Over the past few years I have attended events, read books, and tried to learn as much as I can about what we can do to tread lightly on our planet. I am a climate optimist - or at least I am trying to be, and so I here are 5 cool realisations which I have had on my journey:
Small changes matter.
Impact is not about a small number of people being perfect. It’s about us all doing a little better. And while individual actions are crucial, coming together as a community amplifies our impact exponentially. This is obvious - but something we take for granted. We put our heads in the sand and say that climate change is simply too big an issue for us to have an impact. Therefore, why would we try? I have been guilty of it, and so I am sure many more people have been too.
Start by answering the question, “where do I have the agency to act?”. Everybody can start with one or two changes, however small, today.
No-one can do everything. But everyone can do something.
We can be optimistic.
When it comes to climate change and the fate of our planet there is a lot of doomsday messaging. There are many statistics telling us how ill-fated we are and how there is no hope. And this kind of messaging only makes us feel defeated. But what I have also heard is hope. At the Festival of Solutions Lesley Hughes, said that “2023 was the year the climate broke. But most broken things can be fixed”.
Throughout that festival, there was a strong sense of optimism and constant reminders that while the challenges we face are immense, the solutions and actions being taken around the world provide a beacon of hope. From technological advancements to grassroots movements, there are countless ways we can contribute to a more sustainable future. Action, from each and every one of us matters. We all have the power to make a difference.
There are positives to climate change.
This may seem hard to believe. In the face of a huge challenge, I have also found energy and joy. And more than that I have felt community. People coming together over a shared cause. Sharing stories, ideas and inspiration. Lifting each other up and cheering at each others’ successes. It’s really hard to find that. And it’s even harder to find a community where collective action has such an amazing and positive impact. I encourage everybody to find an outlet to join this amazing community of impactful people.
People do care.
Starting a new business in the sustainability space feels like an uphill battle. I have been doubting whether anybody actually cares about GenKind. Whether there is anybody out there who will ever care enough to use the product! But when you find the right communities you feel surrounded by people who want to show up for our planet. Who are willing to cheer and laugh and rally behind new climate initiatives. It has renewed my faith, and super-charged my energy to keep going. For anybody else in the same situation - keep plodding along - you just need to find the tribe, and that takes time.
Action needs people to be moved emotionally.
It’s easy to forget amongst the scare-mongering and lists of ways to do better, that sometimes the best way to change behaviour is to appeal to people’s hearts. To use storytelling to stir them from deep within. To remind them of what it is we are trying to save. Let’s be creative, and let’s use creativity, music, and art to inspire people to want to do better. Let’s share our stories and experiences, and inspire others to join the movement. Whether it's through social media, community events, or simply talking to friends and family, spreading the message of sustainability is a powerful tool for change.
While the fight against climate change is daunting, there is tremendous power in collective action, innovation, and optimism. By embracing sustainable practices, supporting climate solutions, and working together, we can create a better future for our planet.
I feel a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to GenKind. I encourage everyone to get involved, no matter how small the action may seem, because together, we can achieve incredible things.
Let's continue to celebrate climate solutions and work towards a sustainable and thriving planet for generations to come.