“Hopelessness is actually a privilege, so we in the West, we can afford to be hopeless sometimes, whereas for the poorest people on the planet, or black indigenous or people of colour communities, they are disproportionately affected by climate change, … they have the lowest footprints but they suffer the biggest impacts, and they can’t afford to give up hope because they have to make changes they have to act to survive.” - Lauren Wiseman
In this episode we speak with Lauren Wiseman, Environmental Manager at WWF-UK. We speak about the expansive topic of environmentalism and specifically how charities and individuals can do their part to combat the risk of climate catastrophe.
1. Keeping positive about affecting climate change
I enjoyed speaking with Lauren, whose enthusiasm for environmentalism has both inspired me to do more to reduce my carbon footprint and also seek to affect change with the organisations I work for and support, and also to hold on to some of the positive rationale she espoused to ensure that I don’t get too despondent about the challenge of climate catastrophe.
It’s too easy for us to get fatalistic about our humanity’s impact on the climate, and deem it to be inevitable and something we have little control over. It’s true that it is a global responsibility, and requires an unprecedented movement for change.
2. If you work or support a charity you believe that change is possible
Many experts and pundits have talked about the societal changes that we have seen during the pandemic, the lockdowns and financial support from the State, which may have seemed inconceivable back in 2019.
And as many of us know, from working for and supporting charities, change comes from small acts that galvanise others. We’ve seen this from a variety of relatively recent fundraising successes for example – the ice-bucket challenge and no make-up selfie campaigns to name but a few. We’ve experienced this from working with others to deliver for beneficiaries, and coordinating events to bring people together to do things that make gradual change, and progression possible.
We may already have some of the muscle memory from the issues we tackle as part of our work and support of charities, and the tools to aid us in the fight to protect the planet.
Can we look at the microcosms of our charities, as way of seeing the possibilities on a way of tackling the climate catastrophe at the required macrocosm level? And when we look at our causes, the charities we care for, and how work is being done to affect change, no matter how small it may seem, we can imagine grander movements for change, and with that the possibilities that could address the climate catastrophe that we are now seeing.
3. Don't be hopeless, do what you can
Reducing climate catastrophe, should be at the front of our minds with all our decisions regarding making positive change in the world.
And whether it is for the planet, the flora and fauna that we love, and want to continue to exist, or more locally - our loved ones or our future grandchildren, we must hold on to the notion that our actions today matter.
Don’t be hopeless. Do what you can. There is no greater purpose than to act for the saving of the planet. And all other purposes are connected to this.
We didn’t get into it in detail, but Lauren’s report spells out a whole host of things you can do in your daily life, and things that your charity or organisation can do too. Check out the - WWF Sustainable Office Guide.
We hope you enjoy this week’s episode.
This episode is brought to you by our platinum sponsor Charity People.
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E143 - Uncompromising on Beliefs with Alan Lane -
E130 - Ethical Consumerism And Charity With David Zarzecki, Executive Director Of Kindred -
E145 - Small Charity Leadership with Macarena Martinez - https://www.charitychat.org.uk/post/e145-small-charity-leadership-with-macarena-martinez