The Good, The Bad and The Young’ns

The Good: Society, in general, are more aware that Climate Change is happening as opposed to the issue being debated. More-so since 2007 when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports presented the scientific basis of Climate Change, the social and economic impacts and adaptation considerations. 

The Bad: People are not quite sure what to do to fix it (or feel their small actions are insignificant) or feel so overwhelmed by the extent and complexity of Climate Change they disconnect from it.

The Young’ns: Every generation improves and evolves (or so we hope). I am excited to see the new norms, the new common sense, and the fresh eyes to lay on the problems of generations past.

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.” (Neil Postman) 

A new generation usually equates to a new way of thinking which is why our children can not be left out of current sustainability related decisions. When a news report stated on the way to school one morning that the cocoa bean (and thereby chocolate) was in danger due to climate change, my daughter and I discussed what we would be willing to do to keep chocolate. In a matter of seconds we completely agreed it would be worth getting up 1-2 hours earlier and walking the 5 km to school every morning if meant saving chocolate. I don’t believe I had such conversations of compromise and value as a child (older teen, yes, but for very different self serving reasons). Her perspective of her place in the world right now is far greater than mine at her age. Another pinpoint on my map of hope :).

My daughter at Earth Day celebrations 2006

My daughter recently reported that BC Lions football players did a presentation at her school. I immediately thought that it must have been a pep talk about staying active, anit-bullying or ‘don’t do drugs’ when her words slammed the brakes on my runaway thought train. “They talked to us about sustainability and energy conservation!” She proceeded to tell me that she knew about most of the stuff they were saying but did like their idea of putting on a sweater when you get chilly instead of turning the heat up.

Which in fact happened a couple days later when she announced she was cold and in the same breathe “BUT don’t turn the heat up, I’m going to get a sweater”. Her main thought: ‘It was cool to have important people talk to us about what we can do to help’!