Initially, I was planning to write/scribble about the politics and policies of Copenhagen. It would have included copious amount of moaning, sighing and sheer cries of anguish/hopelessness. This would have been pointless - a mere rant that meant nothing. If you really think about COP-15, it’s just a bunch of hot air. It is the meeting of the elite, rich and overly intelligent. It is not a gathering of those suffering or those who will be most impacted by climate change. So why waste another paragraph on it?

I don’t want to lose hope. I don’t want to turn towards Climate Camp because there are no other options. I don’t want to dwell on pitiless details over what defines anarchy and how do we compromise the system, etc. I want to work towards a situation where we all work together. Climate Change is going to be something we are all going to have to face, whether it’s an 1.5 degrees or 7 degrees. It’s our generation.

I suppose that sounds altogether much too UKYCC, but why do we bother so much over creating our own identity if not for funding? Why do we spend so much time squabbling over ground in tackling climate change? Why do we focus on the messaging so much? This is about us and how we can protect all of ourselves and our future.

We need to start thinking about similarities rather than differences. What we face is a future that we have created - yes, us, because we have accepted society as it stands. We are all part of the system, even if you’re a freegan! You’re reading this blog, you’re using the internet, you’re burning a copious amount of fuel. I don’t think system change via a revolution or transition towns is going to work. People want to accept the world as the way that they see it - I was criticised for being critical (again) today. Apparently happiness comes through accepting rather than hoping.

How we then create effective change? I’m not sure - I’ve read too much instead of thinking. Change comes with hope. Change comes through consideration and care. We do care - that’s why we continue to stand up against climate change - even the most cynical and misanthropic of us all. This is the discussion is what we need to continue. It’s our generation and we have power in our hands. It’s not money or resources or publicity; power is spread by living and fighting. We’re not actually fighting against climate change, we’re standing up for a safer future - our safer future. Climate Change isn’t about reducing emissions, it’s about redeveloping the links that give us life - things like vegetation, ecosystems, etc.

I’m not taking a hippie/new age stance of ‘let’s hold hands and spread the love’ - I’m recognising that cultural systems have ways of maintaining the environment because the environment is so vital to our existence. We’re the few that have not lost sight of that. We’re the few which still know the importance of that symbiotic relationship. What I’m trying to say is that:

• Let’s NOT lose hope - we’re still alive.
• Let’s be positive and learn and grow to understand - we need to know our sh*t.
• Let’s talk to people rather than convince them
• Let’s engage rather than enrage
• Let’s actually break barriers and work together - Greenpeace or FoE, there’s no difference.

I stumbled across a Guerilla Art book the other day, and wanted to start creating an underground movement which visually creates change. I want to create change and beauty through seed bombing, wishing trees, garden graffiti. I want to move through viral messaging rather than mass events. I want to learn to question and think through the landscape I see around me… But I’m alone and frankly, a little scared. If anyone is keen to join me in spreading the word - we have the chance to do this now. I’d love a companion!

This entry was posted on Sunday, December 20th, 2009 at 12:06 am and is filed under Environmental Issues, In The News, Key Issues. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.